Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2008 - (Page 4)

Mold Issues (continued from previous page) Katrina Cough People returning to New Orleans soon after Hurricane Katrina came down with a collection of ailments, including coughs, sore throats, runny noses, and respiratory problems. Very soon, doctors and public health officials realized the problem was widespread— so widespread that they even named it the Katrina Cough. They attribute Katrina Cough mainly to the mold contamination that soon developed after the hurricane. And, the problem was exacerbated during cleanup and demolition work. According to health officials, Katrina Cough has posed a critical health risk to returnees and particularly to sensitive populations. City government and health authorities responded by providing guidance and a wide array of educational materials to returning homeowners, business owners, and physicians about the cough and other mold-related health risks. The big concern about Katrina Cough is that it can be long-lasting. Similarly, after 9/11, those working and living near Ground Zero developed chronic coughs. Much of it was due to the huge amounts of dust generated, which was soon mixed with mold contamination. In fact, one reason that the damaged Deutsche Bank building was torn down was because of mold infestation. It is believed that thousands of people who worked at Ground Zero or lived in lower Manhattan, as well as many people in New Orleans due to Katrina, are still sick with respiratory problems and other illnesses because of the mold and related contaminants they were exposed to. should be thoroughly dry within two or three days. If the remediation treatment has been successful, the final step is carpet extraction. Thoroughly cleaning the carpets with low-moisture extractors and antimicrobial treatments will create a hostile environment for any remaining mold microbes to reproduce and spread. This procedure will help control odor problems as well. These same steps can be incorporated with other types of floods and water damage, including leaky radiators or toilets and sinks that overflow, and not just those caused by Mother Nature. such as employing carpet extractors that use minimal amounts of water with highly-effective vacuum systems. When mold develops after carpet cleaning, it is typically due to over-wetting. Too much moisture was used to clean the carpets and/or the vacuum system was not able to thoroughly remove it. As mentioned earlier, carpets should dry after cleaning within 24 to 48 hours. Older extractors may inject as much as one, two, or three gallons of water per minute into carpets during the cleaning process. Low-moisture equipment often uses less than one gallon of water per minute. Some of these newer machines also heat the water. Studies continue to report that heating water or solution improves the effectiveness of the cleaning chemicals. This often means that less chemical is needed, which also helps (continued on page 20) trol and Prevention that mold can start to grow after carpet cleaning within 24 to 48 hours. Much depends, of course, on the climate, temperature, food sources present, and other conditions. Remedies: Restoration Often, mold develops after adverse weather conditions or floods. In many of these situations, such as after Hurricane Katrina, a decision must be made whether or not the property can be restored. If so, time and attention to detail are of the essence. In restoration, the goal is to dry the area as quickly and thoroughly as possible. The more successful this is, the more likely furnishing and carpets can be salvaged. First, the area must be “packed out.” That means all furnishings, tables, lamps, beds, and so forth must be removed from the room, cleaned, and stored. Then, restoration equipment must be brought in to remove the water damage and moisture. The type of equipment used in restoration can play a crucial role in how effectively and productively this work is performed. Some manufacturers have developed extractors specifically designed to tackle flood-damaged facilities with multi-stage vacuum motors that are much more powerful than earlier predecessors. This helps remove water and moisture quickly and effectively. A few machines have also been redesigned with top-mounted vacuum systems. Engineers have found that placing the vacuum motor at the top of the unit eliminates many of the hose’s bends and restriction within the machine, considerably improving airflow and moisture removal. Once the excess water has been removed, the area must be allowed to dry. Placing air movers at strategic locations will help speed drying time. Typically, the area Remedies: Prevention Flood, leaks, and similar damage that can cause mold to grow are not always preventable. However, housekeeping professionals can take steps on a regular basis to help prevent mold from developing, 4 Executive Housekeeping Today/March 2008

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2008

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2008 Contents Executive Corner Mold Issues: Restoration and Prevention Mold Removal with Steam Vapor: Study Validates New Technology Frugal Housekeeper Executive Housekeeping Today Virtual Magazine is a Big Hit with Readers! Executive Profile The Green Scene 2008 Convention Information Inside the Industry Product Highlights New Members Joint IEHA/ISSA Members Advertisers' Index Calendar of Events Inside I.E.H.A. What I.E.H.A. Has Done For Me

Executive Housekeeping Today - March 2008

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