Why Mold is a Health Risk with Flooding

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CLEVELAND - If you’re dealing with flood clean up from hurricane Helene, be sure to keep an eye out for any mold.

You may not think the fungi can grow that fast, but experts say it can develop in as little as 24 hours.

“The sooner we can get the water damage cleared up and get the environment dry, the less risk there is of mold growing,” said Maeve MacMurdo, MD, pulmonologist for Cleveland Clinic. “But obviously the sooner the better, and it’s hard, people are dealing with a lot but cleaning up the water and this mold remediation are really a big part of it.”

Dr. MacMurdo said everyone responds differently to mold exposure.

Some may not notice any health issues, while others are more susceptible.

Symptoms can vary too, but typically include difficulty breathing, sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat and coughing.

She said in most cases, symptoms will subside once the mold is removed from the property.

However, if they persist or become severe enough, it’s best to consult with a physician.

And when it comes to clean up, Dr. MacMurdo said it’s important to wear the right protective gear.

“The EPA has some really great resources, particularly if you're dealing with mold and you're dealing with flooding. Their website has a lot of advice about when you need to call an expert and when you can do it by yourself,” she said. “If you are doing it by yourself, and again you can, it’s really important to wear protection like an N95 mask, gloves and goggles. And really make sure, as much as you can, you’re working in a well-ventilated space, so you’ve got some airflow.”

Now that we are heading into cold and flu season, Dr. MacMurdo said it can be easy to mix up some of the symptoms.

She said with a virus, the symptoms will be temporary, whereas with mold exposure they would continue to linger.