August 25, 2006 Page 1 of 2

Protect Yourself from Mold 

After natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods, excess moisture and standing water 

contribute to the growth of mold in homes and other buildings. When returning to a home that has been 

flooded, be aware that mold may be present and may be a health risk for your family. 

People at Greatest Risk from Mold 

People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold. People with 

immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people 

who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections. 

Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure 

People who are sensitive to mold may experience stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. 

People allergic to mold may have difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened 

immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold 

infections in their lungs. If you or your family members have health problems after exposure to mold, 

contact your doctor or other health care provider. 

Recognizing Mold 

You may recognize mold by: 

• Sight (Are the walls and ceiling discolored, or do they show signs of mold growth or water 

damage?) 

• Smell (Do you smell a bad odor, such as a musty, earthy smell or a foul stench?) 

Safely Preventing Mold Growth 

Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours). Open doors and windows. Use fans to 

dry out the building. (See the fact sheet for drying out your house, “Reentering Your Flooded Home” at 

www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp.) 

• When in doubt, take it out! Remove all porous items that have been wet for more than 48 hours 

and that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried. These items can remain a source of mold growth 

and should be removed from the home. Porous, noncleanable items include carpeting and carpet 

padding, upholstery, wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material, some clothing, 

leather, paper, wood, and food. Removal and cleaning are important because even dead 

mold may cause allergic reactions in some people.

• To prevent mold growth, clean wet items and surfaces with detergent and water. 

• Homeowners may want to temporarily store items outside of the home until insurance claims can 

be filed. See recommendations by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 

www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/whatshouldidoafter.shtm. 

• If you wish to disinfect, refer to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document, A Brief 

Guide to Mold and Moisture in Your Home at www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldguide.pdf. 
Protect Yourself from Mold 

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August 25, 2006 Page 2 of 2

If there is mold growth in your home, you should clean up the mold and fix any water problem, 

such as leaks in roofs, walls, or plumbing. Controlling moisture in your home is the most critical 

factor for preventing mold growth. 

To remove mold growth from hard surfaces use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution 

(www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm) of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on 

rough surface materials such as concrete. 

If you choose to use bleach to remove mold: 

• Never mix bleach with ammonia or other household cleaners. Mixing bleach with ammonia or other 

cleaning products will produce dangerous, toxic fumes. 

• Open windows and doors to provide fresh air. 

• Wear non-porous gloves and protective eye wear. 

• If the area to be cleaned is more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency (EPA) guide titled Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Although 

focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document also applies to other building types. 

You can get it free by calling the EPA Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse at (800) 438-

4318, or by going to the EPA web site at www.epa.gov/mold/mold_remediation.html. 

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using bleach or any other cleaning product. 

• More information on personal safety while cleaning up after a natural disaster is available at 

www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/workers.asp. 

If you plan to be inside the building for a while or you plan to clean up mold, you should buy an N95 mask 

at your local home supply store and wear it while in the building. Make certain that you follow instructions 

on the package for fitting the mask tightly to your face. If you go back into the building for a short time 

and are not cleaning up mold, you do not need to wear an N95 mask. 

Other Mold Resources 

• Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster (www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/cleanup.asp) 

• Reentering Your Flooded Home (www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/mold/reenter.asp) 

• Mold - General Resources (www.cdc.gov/mold) 

For more information, visit www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters, 

or call CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (English and Spanish) or 888-232-6348 (TTY).