Mold Inspection near Baltimore, Maryland

Historical Air Quality Data for Baltimore, Maryland

Data type	Trend sites	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	All sites active in 2009	2009 using all sites
AQI > 100 PM2.5*	7	7	14	10	13	7	6	6	2	0	1	18	1
AQI > 100†	16	37	50	59	30	31	36	33	45	23	11	74	11
CO	1	3.4	3.3	3.0	2.5	2.9	2.7	2.1	2.3	2.0	1.8
O3	6	.090	.098	.107	.083	.082	.089	.089	.086	.084	.072
PM2.5	7	15.9	15.4	14.8	14.5	14.7	15.2	13.3	13.4	12.3	10.5
PM10	1	75.0	75.0	81.0	62.0	56.0	57.0	53.0	56.0	50.0	50.0
* Number of days with Air Quality Index values greater than 100 at trend sites: PM2.5 only † Number of days with Air Quality Index values greater than 100 at trend sites

Note:  The Baltimore City Department of Health  - Ecology does not investigate mold problems.

Baltimore City Mold Information:

Cleaning Mold And Mildew 

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reminds Maryland residents that after storms, floods and hurricanes, mold and mildew spores may be present in large amounts. These spores may cause allergic reactions and damage homes and household goods. Extensive mold in your home is a significant concern -- most everyone will be affected if enough spores are inhaled.

Some Tips For Effective Cleaning Of Mold And Mildew:

• Clean, disinfect and dry all affected areas. Use a non-ammonia soap (ammonia plus bleach will result in toxic fumes) or detergent and hot water to scrub contaminated areas.
• Bag and dispose of materials with moldy residue, such as rags, paper, leaves and debris. Hard-surfaced materials can be kept once they are cleaned and disinfected.
• Use a stiff brush on masonry walls and similar surfaces. Rinse with clean water. After cleaning, apply a solution of one cup of household bleach per one gallon of water and allow it to dry.
• Ventilate the area well before, during and after entering work area.
• Turn off utilities.
• Wear a paper mask, coveralls, waterproof gloves and goggles while cleaning.
• Clean yourself with disinfectant soap when you are done.
• Call in a licensed contractor if wall interiors and sub-flooring areas seem to be the source of the fungal problems.

 

Mold: The Facts
What Are Molds?

Magnified Spores. Source: US EPA

Molds are fungi that can be found almost anywhere in the indoors or outdoors. They can grow on almost any organic material as long as there is enough moisture and oxygen present.

Outdoors, they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other plant materials are decomposing. Indoors, they can be found where humidity levels are high, such as basements, showers, or on materials that have gotten wet from water (spillage, leaks, etc).

Molds reproduce through the production of microscopic, seed-like structures called spores that have the ability to survive extremes in both temperature and moisture.

Recognizing Mold

Mold can be recognized using your senses.

Do you see a discoloration on walls, ceilings, furnishings, boxes, etc. that have been wet? Is there a fuzzy black or green surface growth? Know that it only takes 48 hours for mold to appear on damp materials.

The presence of mold may also be detected by a musty, earthy, sometimes foul odor.

Possible Health Effects of Mold Exposure

People who are sensitive to molds may experience:
watery or itchy eyessore throatnasal stuffinessskin irritationupon exposure. Individuals who are allergic to mold may have more severe reactions, including:
fevershortness of breathasthma attacksPeople with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Removing Mold

Successful and complete removal of mold from porous surfaces such as paper, drywall, ceiling tiles and carpet padding is not possible – these materials should be discarded if possible.

Mold growing on the surface of non-porous materials should be scrubbed with detergent and water followed by a clear water rinse.

The surface can then be disinfected with a mild bleach solution – ¼ cup of chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) in 1 gallon of water.

Leave bleach solution on surface for 15 minutes.

rinse with clear water and dry surface as quickly as possible.

Key Points

• Dry surfaces quickly.
• Damp materials promote mold growth.
• Never mix chlorine bleach with cleaners containing ammonia - The fumes are toxic.
• For cases where the mold growth is severe, a mold treatment company may need to be called.

Prevention Steps

Should moisture enter your home,

• Clean up and dry out the building quickly (within 24 to 48 hours).
• Open doors and windows.
• Consider using fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the space.

Immediately fix plumbing leaks and other water intrusion.

Keep the humidity level in the house below 65% - ideally between 40% and 60%.

Do not carpet bathrooms and basements.

Vent moisture-generating appliances, such as dryers, to the outside.

Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months.

Add mold inhibitors to paints before application.

Remember: Moisture control is the key to mold prevention!

 

 

EPA Funding Helps Baltimore City Schools Reduce Air Pollution

Release date: 06/04/2008

Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113

PHILADELPHIA (June 4, 2008) – Starting next year, students who attend Baltimore City Public Schools will be breathing cleaner air, thanks to two grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grants will help the school system to both reduce pollution in diesel-powered school buses, and set up an indoor air quality program in 190 of its school buildings. 

Today at the Garrison Middle School in Baltimore, Donald S. Welsh, EPA's mid-Atlantic regional administrator, awarded two grants totaling $163,600 to the Baltimore City Public School System. 

"We couldn't be more pleased about the opportunity to work with Baltimore City Schools to reduce school bus emissions and improve the indoor environments in their school facilities," said Welsh. “Breathing harmful pollutants, whether it’s diesel exhaust or mold can be dangerous, especially for children with asthma. EPA is working with the Baltimore City Public School System to upgrade their buses and buildings so students can breathe cleaner air and live healthier lives,” he added.

One grant -- $68,600 from the Clean School Bus USA program -- will be used to retrofit 19 of its school buses with EPA-verified pollution control technologies. 

A second grant -- $95,000 from the EPA Tools for Schools program -- will be used to develop a proactive plan to analyze the current condition of the indoor environment in 190 school buildings. The program will also provide training for district staff on indoor air topics, and assist the district maintain its buildings with an emphasis on providing a healthy environment for learning and teaching. Personnel at various levels will be trained to identify, recognize and develop solutions to reduce exposure of indoor pollutants to all building occupants.

"With the help of the EPA, we will be using the latest technologies and best practices to provide safer and cleaner learning environments for our students. A healthy environment is vitally important to learning," said Dr. Andres A. Alonso, CEO of Baltimore City Public Schools. "We hope our effort to be good stewards of the environment will serve as an example for our students and will benefit the entire community."

In April 2003, EPA launched its Clean School Bus USA program to help reduce children’s exposure to diesel exhaust. The particles in diesel exhaust can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose health risks including aggravating asthma symptoms. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of diesel emissions and air pollution because their respiratory systems are still developing and they have a faster breathing rate.

EPA developed the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program to reduce exposures to indoor environmental contaminants in schools through the voluntary adoption of sound indoor air quality management practices. The Tools for Schools Program is a comprehensive resource to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing indoor air quality problems. Poor indoor air quality can impact the comfort and health of students and staff, which, in turn, can affect concentration, attendance, and student performance. In addition, if schools fail to respond promptly to poor indoor air quality, students and staff are at an increased risk of short-term health problems, such as fatigue and nausea, as well as long-term problems like asthma.

For more information on the agency’s Clean School Bus USA and Tools for Schools programs including current available funding for clean diesel projects, visit http://www.epa.gov.