Mold Guidance for Sandy Victims

The New Jersey Department of Health released a pamphlet today entitled Mold Guidelines for New Jersey Residents, aimed at helping property owners with mold problems following Superstorm Sandy.

PRINT A PAMPHLET

Flickr User Kristopha Hohn

According to DOH, molds can cause staining of walls and ceilings and can affect building components causing property damage. Exposure to mold can cause nasal and throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation.

“As New Jersey recovers and rebuilds from Superstorm Sandy, mold and its remediation may become a significant issue for many New Jersey residents,” said Mary E. O’Dowd, New Jersey Health Commissioner. “Although molds are common in our environment, mold may become a problem when it grows inside homes."

Tips from the pamphlet include:

If mold is visually apparent, resources should be used to correct any moisture problems and clean up mold contamination rather than testing.
For smaller areas less than 10 square feet that have been affected by mold growth, a homeowner or business owner may be capable of performing the work, but for larger areas greater than 100 square feet, a qualified contractor who has experience in mold or environmental contamination may be required.
Those performing remediation work need to be protected with gloves, a respirator, protective clothing and goggles.

The Department also announced a series of training classes to assist in mold removal and assessment. There will be 25 classes for homeowners and volunteers and 10 classes held for public health and building code officials.

Upcoming dates for free training of residents: