A building suffering from fungal contamination is not a safe environment. The occupants should be evacuated when significant visible mold colonization is diagnosed and returned only when the building is cleared for re-occupancy. Mold remediation strategies should be job-site specific and take into account the type and square footage of visible mold, the sensitivities of the building occupants, the proximity of the mold to the work area, and the quantity of airborne mold during demolition and cleaning. Buildings contaminated by visual mold are very expensive to restore to pre-loss condition. When water damage occurs in a building, time is critical.
Mold begins to germinate within twelve to twenty-four hours.
Fortunately, most water damages do not require the mold contamination protocol that we have discussed in this issue. When water damage is detected early and a professional restoration contractor provides the mitigation procedures quickly, the conditions for mold growth can be eliminated. Please Contact our office if you would like more information on the cause and effects of mold and the remediation options available. In attendance at the conference were over 1200 emergency management officials and support organizations from the mainland and the Caribbean Islands. New techniques and developments in the areas of evacuation, shelter, aid to those with special needs, deployment of Fire and EMS teams, and all aspects of recovery were reviewed.