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Foretravel Owners Manual
trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided. Molds reproduce by means
of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through out-
door and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land
on surfaces that are wet. There are many types of mold, and none of them will
grow without water or moisture.
C
AN MOLD CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS
Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet
or damp spot and begin growing. Molds have the potential to cause health prob-
lems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions),
irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins). Inhaling
or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive indi-
viduals. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneez-
ing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold
are common. They can be immediate or delayed. Molds can also cause asthma
attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold ex-
posure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic
and non-allergic people. Symptoms other than the allergic and irritant types are
not commonly reported as a result of inhaling mold. Research on mold and
health effects is ongoing. This brochure provides a brief overview; it does not
describe all potential health effects related to mold exposure. For more detailed
information consult a health professional. You may also wish to consult your
state or local health department.
H
I
OW DO
GET RID OF MOLD
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold
spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. The mold spores
will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be
prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. If there is mold
growth in your home, you must clean up the mold and fix the water problem.
If you clean up the mold, but don't fix the water problem, then, most likely, the
mold problem will come back.
M
C
OLD
LEANUP
If you already have a mold problem - ACT QUICKLY. Mold damages
what it grows on. The longer it grows, the more damage it can cause.
W
HO SHOULD DO THE CLEANUP
Who should do the cleanup depends on a number of factors. One consid-
eration is the size of the mold problem. If the moldy area is less than about 10
square feet (less than roughly a 3 ft. by 3 ft. patch), in most cases, you can han-
dle the job yourself, following the guidelines below. However:
•
If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more
than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) guide: Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings. Al-
though focused on schools and commercial buildings, this document is ap-
Rev. 06-02
Section 11 - Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
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Page 11-3
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