Questions about Mold?

What are molds?

Molds are types of fungi. They grow in the natural environment. Tiny particles of molds are found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air. In nature, molds help break down dead materials, and can be found growing on soil, foods, plants and other items. Molds are also very common in buildings and homes. Mold needs moisture to grow. Indoors, mold growth can be found where humidity levels are high, like basements and showers. Molds produce microscopic cells called "spores" that are spread easily through the air. Spores can also be spread by water and insects. Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold colonies when they find the right conditions.

How do you identify mold or potential for mold when coming back to your home after a disaster?

Things that stayed wet for 2 days have mold growing on them even if you can’t see it.

• Sight – are the walls or ceiling discolored or do they show signs of mold growth or water damage?
• Smell – Do you smell a bad odor, such as musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?
• If yes to either - it’s mold!

More tips:

• Mold can look grey, black or even brown. Mold colonies may appear cottony, velvety, granular, leathery or glassy.
• Mold will begin to grow on most surfaces after just 24 hours in a damp environment.
• Certified/licensed mold inspectors are available in most communities.
• The color of mold does not impact the choice of mold cleaner, the cleaning methods are the same.
• Use bleach to clean mold off hard things, like floors, sinks, countertops, flatware, plates and tools.
• Items soaked with water such as clothes, carpet, etc. have to be discarded.
• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.
• Mix no more then 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
• If the surface is rough, scrub with a stiff brush.
• Rinse with clean water.
• Dry the item or leave it out to dry
• Take out items that have soaked up water and that cannot be cleaned and dried, carpet, clothing, mattresses, furniture, all other items that cannot be disinfected. Flood waters generally have sewage so take protective precautions.

Whom can I call if I suspect that I have a mold problem, or if I want more information on mold?

For additional information about the health effects of mold exposure and information on the safe removal of mold, please call your County Health Department's Environmental Health Office, the Florida Department of Health, Radon and Indoor Air Program at 1-800-543-8279, or review the respective mold webpages of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have a mold complaint about an apartment, hotel or workplace, see our information on apartments and hotels or on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in workplaces.

What is the Florida Department of Health doing about mold?

The Florida Department of Health helps with mold issues through the following activities:

• Providing technical assistance and advice to the public, County Health Departments, School Districts and others
• Distributing current information and other resources on mold and moisture control
• Help you with the identification of mold problems and advise you on investigation techniques and clean-up methods
• Answer your questions about health effects and possible hazards of mold exposure
• Provide mold prevention advice into public message and disaster response plans
• Direct concerned people to the appropriate local resources or to the Florida Department of Health Indoor Air Program staff

Please note:

• The Florida Department of Health does not provide mold testing.
• The Florida Department of Health does not provide support to professional consultants.
• You can call 850-245-4288 or email phtoxicology@flhealth.gov with questions

Information above provided by the Department of Health, Red Cross, EPA, and CDC.

Below are several resources for mold, moisture, what to do after a disaster, and health concerns.

If you suspect that mold may have infected your business establishment, calling an expert to inspect your restaurant or business facility and deal with the potential problem is the best course of action. There are health risks that can occur when people are in a building that has a mold and slime problem. Both of these can be toxic to people that come into contact with it. It is important to be proactive and it is advisable to have your establishment inspected prior to opening to the public.

Who to contact & how to file a complaint if you have a concern about mold in an establishment:

The Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Division of Hotels and Restaurants inspects and regulates public lodging and food service establishments in Florida under Chapter 509, Florida Statutes.

If you have a concern and wish to file a complaint with DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants' you may do so by calling the Customer Contact Center at Tel. 850-487-1395, by submitting an online complaint form or by emailing dhr.info@myfloridalicense.com. (Note: Florida Public Records Law: under Florida law all communications received by this Department are public record unless a specific exemption applies in statute).

There is almost as much electrical risk in the aftermath of a flood as there is in the flood itself. Extreme caution should be used when re-entering an area to begin cleaning up. If your power was not turned off, then you should not enter your home until it can be verified that it is safe.

If you did turn your power off, you should not attempt to turn it back on yourself. Have your wiring checked by a licensed electrician, and have them re-energize your circuits.

Any appliances that have become wet should not be plugged back in until they can be checked by a technician and found to be safe. A small amount of moisture trapped inside an appliance can cause major damage. Some damaged appliances can be refurbished and returned to use. But none should be tried without being properly checked.

Water and electricity are not a good mix. Always ere on the side of caution when there is a risk of encountering the two in the same space.

All outlets, devices, and light fixtures must be replaced if they have been submerged in water. An electrical permit is required for replacement of any water submerged Service Feeders, Meter Cans, Switchgear or Panels. All electrical work must be assessed and completed by a licensed electrical contractor. Please contact the Building Department at 213-5020 if there are any questions regarding electrical repairs.