DELAND -- Amid applying for federal disaster assistance, making an auto insurance claim and fending off opportunistic contractors, mold is one more thing on tornado victim David Kidd's mind.
The Feb. 2 tornado knocked half a dozen trees on Kidd's manufactured home. Water seeped in through the ceiling and soaked his belongings.

"We worried about the wetness," he said. "We've kept the windows open, because there's no glass in them, and (we've had) fans running."

Volusia County Health Department officials are warning those, like Kidd, affected by the tornado to watch for mold growth.

Florida's humid climate doesn't allow materials to dry quickly, before people pack up their rescued goods in dark storage places, providing the optimal mold growing conditions, said Robert Maglievaz, a indoor air specialist for the Volusia County Health Department.

"What I see a lot of people doing is trying to get things packed up as soon as possible," he said.
The cold days following the tornado may have stunted mold production, but warmer temperatures will spur the growth, he said.

When the mold dies, it turns to a powdery form and "that's the stuff that does people in as far as giving them the allergy or cold symptoms," he said. "Sometimes the dust won't smell or you can't see it."

The Health Department's DeLand office damaged in the storm is relying on dehumidifiers to dry doused items. Washing moldy clothing often alleviates the problem, as does freezing items like books or papers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Specialized remediation equipment, such as a water extraction vacuum, may be necessary to dry carpets or cinder block surfaces.

"If you have a catastrophic level of damage, that's when you might want a specialist," Maglievaz said.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD03020907.htm

# # #
 
Pure Air Control Services
 
1-800-422-7873