Mold Poses Potential Problems After Floods

June 29, 2006

Jun 28, 2006 5:50 pm US/Eastern

Stahl

Reporting

(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA Flooding throughout the Delaware Valley will

undoubtedly leave behind the smelly, potentially unhealthy problem

of mold.

The reminders of the flood waters will be around for a while and

experts say there will be an explosion of mold.

Because of the recent rain, the mold count in the Philadelphia

Region is already very high.

Flood water is usually contaminated from sewers and littered with

debris. Once it's gone, mold, a fungus, will creep into many

structures. It grows in dark, wet, warm locations.

" If you smell something funny and you're getting short of breath you

should really go see your doctor as soon as possible, " said Dr.

Philip Mead with Hahnemann University Hospital.

Dr. Mead said breathing mold spores that get into air can cause

allergic reactions like congestion and itchy eyes.

Doctors said people who are allergic to mold might get some relief

with over the counter allergy medications, the same ones used for

pollen.

Mold can be hidden behind walls, so people don't always know if

they're being exposed. For most it is not that dangerous unless they

already have breathing ailments.

" If you have lung ailments such as asthma emphysema other problems

like that it can actually be a real serious problem, " said Dr. Mead.

Cleaning everything with soap and bleach will help combat the

fungus. Air conditioning and dehumidifiers help get rid of mold, but

area's that are saturated may require removing dry wall or the wood

floors.

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