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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Following the heavy rainfall on June 20, area residents have been dealing with the aftermath of cleanup.
Once you finish pumping out basements and other low areas, you need to start cleanup operations. But before you dive into your tasks you should check to make sure your tetanus (Tdap) shot is current. This is the time when tetanus threatens you most – you may come in contact with contaminated surfaces, sewage, or animal feces (particularly if you live near a livestock operation). You should get a tetanus booster every 10 years, however, if you receive an injury after year six or seven of your most current booster, you probably need to get another tetanus shot. If you do get injured, particularly a puncture wound, wash the area right away with soap and water and apply a clean dressing.
The most common environmental problem following flooding is mold. Molds are simple, microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. You should be concerned about a mold problem in your home, particularly if it is extensive. When airborne mold particles, such as mold spores, are present in large numbers, they can cause allergic reactions, asthma episodes, infections and other respiratory problems for people. Mold can also cause structural damage to your home.
It is common to find mold spores in the air of homes and growing on damp surfaces. Mold may be found behind walls or underneath materials where water has damaged the surface. Look for discoloration of drywall or plaster. If you can see or smell mold, you have a problem. Unless the source of moisture is found and removed and the contaminated area cleaned and disinfected, mold growth is likely to recur.
Simply killing the mold may be inadequate because it does not remove the mold allergens from the environment. Bag and seal all moldy materials before removal from the work area. A vacuum can be used to clean up, but only one with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Before disinfecting contaminated areas, clean the areas to remove as much mold (and material it is growing on) as possible. Clean with a non-ammonia detergent in hot water. Scrub the entire area affected by the moisture. Use a stiff brush or cleaning pad on block walls or uneven surfaces. Rinse the area with clean water. Thoroughly dry the area as quickly as possible, Repeat cleaning as necessary to remove mold. It is a good idea to use fans and dehumidifiers to dry the area.
After removing as much of the mold as possible, a disinfectant can be used to kill mold that might remain. A 10 percent bleach solution (1 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water) is recommended as a disinfectant for mold cleanup. Apply the bleach solution to the entire area, ensuring that the entire area is cleaned, not just where the moisture problem occurred and the mold growth was removed. Use a sprayer or a sponge to apply the solution liberally, but avoid excessive amounts of runoff or standing pools. Allow the area to dry naturally. Drying time is important for the disinfectant to be effective at killing mold and bacteria. WARNING! Never mix bleach and ammonia. The fumes are toxic!
Exposure to mold and cleaning solutions can pose a health hazard. Make sure the area is well ventilated and that people who are mold-sensitive leave the area while the work is performed. Workers should wear protective clothing (that can be cleaned thoroughly or discarded after cleanup), gloves, goggles and breathing protection.
For those who are still in need of clean-up kits, there are a few available either from Kim Franklin, Emergency Management Coordinator (845-8510) or the Valley City Police Department (845-3110). For more information on mold or other types of cleanup, contact City-County Health District at 845-8518.