Residents are being allowed back in to Galveston, but those who are coming in are wearing masks to ward off mold, and bringing their own water since Galveston water is undrinkable. Homes have been washed out to see or dismembered. Many of those left standing were left standing in high water, leaving behind sludge and mold. It is guestimated that 75 percent of the homes are uninhabitable.

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency condemned more than 230 cottages, leaving coastal Mississippi residents scrambling to find shelter in a storm-scarred region where affordable housing is scarce. Hundreds of FEMA trailers were replaced with cottages in 2007, and many of these cottages did not survive the latest round of Hurricanes. Cottages are meant to be temporary

Mississippi says they can be converted into permanent dwellings. The state obtained a federal waiver allowing them to be temporarily set up in flood zones so residents could live on their own property. it is Mississippi Emergency Management Agency’s responsibility to condemn cottages insurance adjusters deemed uninhabitable. Mississippi plans to offer new cottages, if residents are willing to relocate to a commercial mobile home park or a plot of land where the cottage could qualify as permanent housing.

For many Gustav evacuees, things are looking desperate.

New York State Sen. Liz Krueger’s ground-breaking legislation will require the state Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner to certify the commercial mold remediation business. New Yorkers held a press conference to support the legislation, coinciding with a meeting of the Toxic Mold Task Force.

Reports of mold inside Andrew Jackson Middle

School superintendent Dr. Ron Duerring has announced “We replaced all the ceiling tiles in hallways and all the filters were changed in the air conditioners, we’re scrubbing all the walls, looking at the roof for possible leaks and we’ll be changing out the ceiling tiles as well. It’s not being swept under the carpet. We’re not taking a back seat we’re going above and beyond getting all the necessary, agencies, the right agencies involved.”

Parents are concerned. The local school improvement council is holding a meeting to keep them informed.

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints.

2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.

5. Reduce indoor humidity to 30 to 60 percent to decrease mold growth by venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and dehumidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning.

6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.

8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.

9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).

10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Florida flood victims may have it bad, but they’re better off than the flood victims in South Georgia. In one Georgia county, they’re drinking bottled water because health officials haven’t declared the water safe to drink. Neighbors right across the Florida state line qualify for acceptance.

On both sides of the border, houses have 4-feet high mold lines every room. Residents will be forced to replace the sheetrock when everything dries. Unfortunately on the Georgia side, the federal government isn’t likely to provide any help in repairing or replacing property.

The accumulated losses in Georgia fell short of the qualifying threshold.

Charlton County’s emergency management director Monroe “Bo” Todd said “it’s unfair that 15 households forced from their homes by floodwaters in the south end of the county can’t qualify for federal aid. It’s the same storm that qualified Florida residents for help.” It all depends on the assessments by Federal emergency officials touring South Georgia. If the damage is extensive, residents could “quite possibly” qualify for help. Money is distributed on our lines of jurisdiction. Although it’s not on the magnitude of Florida, the struggle [for Georgia residents] is apparent.”

Wind storms carry more than weather. They also spread mold. Opening windows to the breezes exposes interior spaces to the higher spore levels outside–including pollen. Allergy sufferers are suffering more from unusually high levels of mold due to the storm blowing around and stirring up leaves and composting material and everything and gets the mold levels higher. If you are outdoors doing cleanup after the storm, be aware that you’re exposing yourself to increased numbers of spores and allergins in the air as well as on your skin.

People test for mold to find peace of mind. Mold testing enables you to know that you have eliminated mold sources inside your residence, plus it gives you the specific species of mold to test for if allergic mold reactions are a family problem. Reactions are contingent on how susceptible to mold allergens individuals are, so it is difficult to determine a specific mold threshold. In general, the threshold is relative to the level in outdoor air. And the level in outdoor air can vary significantly depending on the season and of course, locale.

September 5 to October 5, 2008

The National Indoor Mold Society (did you know there was such a thing?) has declared September 5 to October 5, 2008 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month. Apparently this adventure was spearheaded by They are Sharon Pawlak, Iris Brooks (of Face of Toxic Mold fame) and Lori Tondini. They “have prepared a draft National
Indoor Toxic Mold Month Proclamation” and are soliciting members to represent states. This is explained here: http://dailystrength.org They are working toward getting reps in each state, and having the reps obtain a signed proclamation from each state’s Governor.

They are also hosting NIMS will be hosting the National Indoor Mold Society Internet Talk Show on Saturdays evenings starting on Saturday, September 6, 2008 -October 4, 2008 (up to Nov. 1, 2008). The shows will be held on Saturdays evenings starting September 6
through November 1, 2008 from 8:00 P.M – 10:00 P.M. EST. There are 2 speakers on the show, each doing a 1 hr. segment.

“The purpose of National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month is to inform, educate, and raise awareness about the adverse health effects due to exposure of indoor molds and mycotoxins.”

New Trend in Advertising

We’re barely out from under Gustav, and now there are 3 more storms lined up to follow. So instead of mold news this week, my mailbox is full of advertisements for mold cleaning products, plus a new trend of digg-like one line advertisements. You know, the kind that has a real catchy headline that you click to follow, only instead of finding the article to support it, there’s just a line for a business. I suppose it is an improvement over having to read page after page of redundant mold advice. In the mold-fighting biz, the real question is how many ways can you say control the leaks and remediate where need be?

But of course the problem is that with storms like the ones that are coming, there will be flooding; and in the floods, there will be new victims learning about flood-related mold for the first time.

Keep your eyes out for lots of mold ads this week. Short ones. Remediators and assessors will all be out this week doing their jobs.

Y’all stay dry now, ya hear?