City of Milwaukee Health Department Urges Residents to Reduce Risk of Mold Exposure Following Flooding

MILWAUKEE – Following recent flooding in Milwaukee, the City of Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) is reminding residents about the health risks associated with mold and steps to take to reduce exposure during cleanup.

Mold can develop quickly in damp or flooded homes, posing health risks—especially to individuals with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or weakened immune systems. These individuals should avoid staying in mold-affected homes or participating in cleanup activities.

If you must remain in a home with mold, take these precautions:

• Limit time indoors: Stay with friends or family when possible until cleanup is complete. Spend more time outdoors or in public spaces such as libraries or malls.
• Seal off affected areas: Use plastic tarps to isolate moldy rooms until they are cleaned.
• Prevent spread: Remove shoes before leaving moldy areas. Change clothes, if possible, to avoid tracking and carrying mold spores through the home.
• Create a clean sleeping space: Choose the least affected room, seal it off, and keep it mold-free. Shower and change into clean clothes before entering.
• Use ventilation carefully: Do not use a whole-house HVAC system until it has been inspected, as it can spread mold. If safe, open windows for fresh air and use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. Position fans in a window, blowing to the outside, in order to prevent the spreading of mold in the Avoid aiming portable fans directly at mold.
• Clean or dispose of contaminated items: Wash and dry bedding, towels, clothing, and other washable items. Items that cannot be cleaned should be discarded or sealed until they can be safely treated.

Additional safety tips for mold cleanup:

• Who should not clean mold: People with mold allergies, weakened immune systems, underlying lung disease, asthma, or COPD should not take part in cleanup.
• Wear protective gear: Use a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator or better, protective gloves (non-latex, vinyl, nitrile, or rubber), and goggles without vent holes. Wear clothing that fully covers your skin.
• Use cleaning products safely: Open windows and doors for ventilation. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners. Use no more than 1 cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water for cleaning hard surfaces or use dish detergent as an alternative.
• Avoid direct contact: Do not handle moldy materials with bare hands.

Basements in particular are difficult places to fully control moisture and mold growth. MHD, along with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Wisconsin Department of Health Services (WDHS), do not generally recommend that testing be done for mold. If you need to hire a company for mold abatement, take these precautions before hiring:

• Obtain more than one quote.
• Check with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the Better Business Bureau for any complaints against the contractor.
• Ask the business for recent customers who can provide referrals.
• Request a written report from the company representative regarding your property.

Despite a business’s claims, the State of Wisconsin and the City of Milwaukee do not certify or license businesses specifically for mold abatement.

“For persons with underlying respiratory conditions, mold can cause significant respiratory issues and other health concerns, and it can spread quickly after flooding,” said Milwaukee Commissioner of Health, Mike Totoraitis, PhD. “Taking immediate steps to reduce exposure will help protect your health and the health of your family.”

Resources & Reporting

• For more information on mold cleanup and health risks, visit milwaukee.gov/mold.

• To schedule a property inspection for potential foundation damage, contact DNS at (414) 286-2268 or submit a request online at milwaukee.gov/Click4Action.

• To report flooding-related issues, report it to the City of Milwaukee at (414) 286-CITY (2489), online at milwaukee.gov/Click4Action, or through the MKEmobile app.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.