I get a surge in questions about mold exposure after flooding events. It isn’t my area of research but @TulaneMedicine was a pioneer in mold allergy research and I’ve learned from some experts before they retired. Here are the FAQ on mold exposure and how I answer them
Is mold dangerous? Mold can be harmful in a number of ways. Those with asthma are particularly susceptible to mold allergy and to irritant effects of volatile organic compounds that some strains of mold produce. Seeing mold decaying your homes and possessions is also stressful
Should I test my house for mold? No test is needed; you do have mold. The amount of mold you have is proportional to the amount of moisture. Very wet homes have a lot of mold. Dry homes have a little mold. Almost all homes in Louisiana have some mold. Skip the test
How should I kill the mold? Mold needs moisture to live. Dry it out and it will die. No mater whatever else you do to kill it, more will grow if the home is wet. I understand that this may be impossible for some but it is the only thing that really works.
How much bleach should I use? Please do not use bleach to kill mold. Bleach can cause more harm to lungs than mold if used improperly. If the surface is dry the mold is already dead and doesn’t need to be re-killed. If it is wet, the bleach will dissipate and mold will still grow
What do I do with mold stains? Mold stains (stains left after mold has dried) do not make spores/VOCs. If you don’t like the look, maybe paint over it. Dry mold does not need to be killed.
Can I salvage my furniture? Furniture that is porous probably can’t be saved. There is simply no way to dry out a mattress or plush couch. But tables and non porous furniture can be dried. Use a standard detergent to clean it off once it can be dried (please not bleach).
Can I salvage toys, heirlooms, objects that are important to me? Yes! Smaller porous objects (eg favorite stuffed animals) can we washed and dried. Any non porous object can also be cleaned with soap and water. Just because it had mold growth doesn’t make it dangerous once dried
How can I dry my home? The most accessible way to dry homes is the home’s air conditioning system. These all have mechanisms for collecting water from the cooled air and releasing it outside. These won’t be able to dry out soaked insulation, furniture etc which need to be removed
Once I’ve fixed my house should I test it for mold? No need for a test- you do still have some mold because you live in the humid gulf south. Every time you open the door more mold comes in. If your home is dry, the mold will not grow. Dryness is the key
Do I need allergy testing after an exposure? We don’t test people for mold allergy unless they have specific symptoms (breathing difficulties or nasal/sinus problems). Regardless of the results we will still recommend not being in wet, moldy homes because it isn’t good for you
Seeing your home and possessions covered in mold, decaying the things that you care about, is an emotional punch. Mold isn’t good… it’s the dampness that needs to be targeted. I’m thinking about all the families going through such hard times right now
