A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home - Virginia ...

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WHAT TO WEAR WHENCLEANINGMOLDY AREASMold growing on a suitcase stored in ahumid basement.It is importantto takeprecautions toLIMITYOUREXPOSUREto mold andmold spores.■ Avoid breathing in mold or mold spores. In orderto limit your exposure to airborne mold, you may want towear an N-95 respirator, available at many hardwarestores and from companies that advertise on theInternet. (They cost about $12 to $25.) Some N-95respirators resemble a paper dust mask witha nozzle on the front, others are made primarilyof plastic or rubber and have removable cartridges thattrap most of the mold spores from entering.In order to be effective, the respirator or maskmust fit properly, so carefully follow the instructionssupplied with the respirator. Please note that theOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)requires that respirators fit properly (fit testing) whenused in an occupational setting; consult OSHA for moreinformation (800-321-OSHA or osha.gov/).8
■ Wear gloves. Long gloves that extend to the middle ofthe forearm are recommended. When working with waterand a mild detergent, ordinary household rubber glovesmay be used. If you are using a disinfectant, a biocidesuch as chlorine bleach, or a strong cleaning solution,you should select gloves made from natural rubber,neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane, or PVC (see Cleanupand Biocides). Avoidtouching mold or moldyitems with your bare hands.■ Wear goggles. Gogglesthat do not haveventilation holes arerecommended.Avoid getting mold ormold spores in your eyes.Cleaning while wearing N-95respirator, gloves, and goggles.How do I know when the remediation or cleanupis finished? You must have completely fixed thewater or moisture problem before the cleanup orremediation can be considered finished.■ You should have completed mold removal. Visible moldand moldy odors should not be present. Please note thatmold may cause staining and cosmetic damage.■ You should have revisited the site(s) shortly aftercleanup and it should show no signs of water damageor mold growth.■ People should have been able to occupy or re-occupy thearea without health complaints or physical symptoms.■ Ultimately, this is a judgment call; there is no easyanswer. If you have concerns or questions call theEPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouseat (800) 438-4318.9
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