Mold – Tennessee

Should I test my home for mold?

In general, it is not necessary to test for mold. Both the CDC and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) do NOT recommend testing. No matter what type of mold is present, you should clean it up and make efforts to prevent further mold growth. Since the effect of mold on people can vary greatly, the presence of mold in the home does not imply a health risk.

The key to mold prevention is moisture control. Mold will not grow if moisture is not present.

Tips for mold prevention:

When cleaning up more mold than you might find in a corner of a bathtub or on a piece of old bread- Wear Personal Protection: Gloves, Mask and Goggles. Avoid touching mold or moldy items with bare hands you may want to wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle of the forearm are recommended. Avoid breathing in mold and getting mold in your eyes you may want to wear a mask and goggles.

Within 48 hours, dry non-moldy wet materials to prevent mold growth. Clean moldy materials. Mold can be removed from hard surfaces by wiping or scrubbing with water and detergent. Dry the surfaces quickly. If you choose to use bleach to clean up mold, mix 1 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Never mix bleach with ammonia. Open windows and doors and turn on the vent in the bathroom to increase ventilation.

If you think your children are sick because of exposure to mold at school or you are sick because of exposure to mold at work, first consult your health care provider to determine the appropriate medical action to take. Secondly, you should notify your building maintenance personnel so the mold can be cleaned up and the moisture issue can be addressed.

The U.S. EPA offers a program to schools called theIndoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS)Kit. It shows schools how to carry out a plan of action to improve indoor air problems at little or no cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. For information about Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools, visit:http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

Tennessee Department of HealthHealthy Homeshttps://www.tn.gov/health/cedep/environmental/healthy-homes/hh/mold.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Homehttps://www.epa.gov/mold/brief-guide-mold-moisture-and-your-home#tab-1Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildingshttps://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-remediation-schools-and-commercial-buildings-guide

National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH)Moldhttp://www.cdc.gov/mold

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Mold - Tennessee