Mold can have serious health concerns, in addition to the damage it can cause to a unit and to a building. Look for signs of moisture or water damage (water leaks, standing water, water stains, condensation, etc.). People with chronic illnesses or people with immune system problems may be more likely to get infections from certain molds, viruses, and bacteria. Indoor Air - Florida Department of Health, Eliminating mold: more info from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Annual Regulatory PlansFlorida Department of Health (pdf). The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. Ozone generators do not need be used. For more information about Radon, please call us at 407-858-1497 or read more at theFlorida Department of Health Radon web page. There is evidence of specific long-term toxic effects from eating foods with mold toxins. Help you with the identification of mold problems and advise you on investigation techniques and clean-up methods. Operating hours for your county can be found by visiting the Florida Department of Health's website (floridahealth.gov). The Florida Department of Health, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts. By using this site, you agree to the If you have a central air conditioning system and need a dehumidifier to reduce relative humidity below 60%, you should have the air conditioning system examined for problems, Providing technical assistance and advice to the public, County Health Departments, School Districts, and others, Distributing current information and other resources on mold and moisture control. Sampling for mold in the air can be expensive and, if done, should only be done by experienced professionals. For their size, children breathe up to twice as much air as adults, and are therefore at higher risk for health problems. More information can be found through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at, , and the University of Central Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center at, fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/buildings/basics/moldgrowth.htm, https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/indoor-airquality/, https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/mold/index.html. Keep your home clean and dry. Dust mites reduce allergen production at these lower humidity levels. Should I be worried about mold in my home? Environmental Health officials recommend you use air conditioning to keep the humidity below 60% in your home. Note: If you desire to remain on this page right click on the link and select Open in new window. The easiest way to prevent the mold from gaining a foothold is to control dampness. In a place as humid and wet as Florida, mold is a very common problem. The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is concerned with the effects of mold on human health, but has very limited jurisdiction and authority in these matters. If you have a mold complaint about an apartment or hotel, call the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation at 850-487-1395. The Florida Department of Health does not recommend that people sample mold growth in their home. The air in your home can be unhealthy if it contains too many pollutants without proper ventilation or outdoor air exchange. By using this site, you agree to the It depends on the situation and the person. Who can I call if I want more information on mold? To learn more about the renewal process, select the type of license you wish to renew from the list of professions below. All molds should be treated the same when it comes to health risks and removal. The long-term presence of indoor mold may eventually become a problem. Indoor air quality specialists are available to speak at your next business or civic function. There is also no blood or urine test that can tell if an individual has been exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum spores or its toxins.How can Stachybotrys affect my health? One consideration is the size of the mold problem. Check around air handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for standing water. Whether a mold produces mycotoxins depends on what the mold is growing on and conditions such as temperature, pH, humidity, or other factors. If there is a lot of mold growth, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) booklet "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings.". Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? Florida Health Occupational Health Surveillance Occupational.Health@flhealth.gov 850-245-4984 Mailing Location 4052 Bald Cypress Way Tallahassee, FL 32399 Occupational health and safety focuses on the causes of work-related injuries, illnesses, deaths, and the reduction of those risks. JavaScript must be enabled in your browser to display articles, Florida Department of Healths Indoor Air, Lee County Pocket Guide to Emergency Assistance, Family Health Centers of Southwest Florida, SalusCare -Southwest Florida Addiction Services, ACCESS Florida (Public Assistance Benefits), Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement, CDC - Centers fo Disease Control and Prevention, Annual Regulatory PlansFlorida Department of Health (pdf). The toxic effects of certain molds are not well understood, and are currently a controversial topic in the medical and scientific community. Some symptoms are more general - such as inability to concentrate or fatigue. If the moldy area is less than 10 square feet, which is less than a 3-foot by 3-foot patch, cleanup can be handled yourself. People are exposed to molds every day. https://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/indoor-air-quality/apartments-lodging.html. If you have a central air conditioning system and need a dehumidifier to reduce relative humidity below 60%, you should have the air conditioning system examined for problems. If the mold returns quickly or spreads, it may mean you have an underlying problem, such as a water leak. Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention and serve as a reminder of the safe and nurturing environment desired for every child. Molds can also trigger asthma attacks in persons with asthma. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit FloridaHealth.gov. 954-767-5111. Those with special health concerns should consult a medical doctor if they feel their health is affected by indoor mold. For some people, mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing or wheezing, burning eyes, or skin rash. Currently there are no active health alerts for Monroe County. Individuals with chronic respiratory conditions or allergies or asthma, Persons having weakened immune systems (for example, people with HIV or AIDS, chemotherapy patients, or organ transplant recipients). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home provides tips on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. A, Suite 251 MC-45 Jacksonville, Florida 32209 Molds can also trigger asthma attacks in persons with asthma. If the mold returns quickly or spreads, it may mean you have an underlying problem, such as a water leak. What makes mold grow? There are no health or exposure-based standards that you can use to evaluate a mold sampling result. All residents and visitors in Hillsborough County should be aware that rabies is present in the wild animal population and . All too common in our humid Florida climate, mold and mildew can present health problems in indoor environments. For more information, please call (813) 307-8059 or email us . Indoors molds are commonly found anywhere where humidity levels are high. This question is difficult to answer in the same way it's hard to say how much sun causes a sunburn: the amount varies from person to person. Red Tide detected at multiple beaches in South Sarasota. Surgeon General recommends all houses be tested for radon. Dust mites eat mold and dead human or animal skin scales (flakes) and leave allergenic proteins. There is no health or exposure-based standards that you can use to evaluate a mold sampling result. Check around air handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for standing water. By using this site, you agree to the . No one should expose themselves or others to ozone on purpose. By using this site, you agree to the Frequently Asked Questions: Indoor Mold. For example, the black mold often found between bathroom tiles is not Stachybotrys. People are exposed to molds 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to reduce the indoor humidity levels below 60%. It exists solely to assist the public in solving their indoor environment problems and living a healthier life. Dust mites reduce allergen production at these lower humidity levels. Tiny particles of molds are found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air. Left navigation requires javascript to be enabled in your browser. It is important to note that Florida Statutes do not require mold cleanup and/or removal. Look for visible mold growth (it may look cottony, velvety, rough, or leathery and have different colors like white, gray, brown, black, yellow, or green). Contact: Tammy Soliz, Public Information OfficerLee-PIO@FLHealth.gov 239-308-5196. All molds should be treated the same when it comes to health risks and removal. Look for visible mold growth as it may appear cottony, velvety, rough or leathery and have different colors like white, gray, brown, black, yellow or green. The Division of Environmental Public Health is the focal point of the Palm Beach County Health Department's effort to protect you and your family from the harmful effects of toxic chemicals, wastes, disease vectors, safety hazards, natural disasters, and contaminated air, food, and water. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Moisture_Mold_and_Mildew, Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Florida Department of Children and Families, Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, Annual Regulatory PlansFlorida Department of Health (pdf). Controlling moisture is the key to stopping indoor mold growth, because all molds require water to grow. What health problems can be caused by mold? When water stands for even 24 hours, common molds can take hold. Remove standing water from your home or office within 24 hours, being cautious about other hazards such as electricity, physical damage to the home or office and animals in the water or home. The free Adobe Reader may be required to view these files. To address some of the most common questions and concerns about indoor mold, how it affects human health, and ways in which you can prevent or remove it, please visit the Florida Department of Health's website on mold. The mold assessor or mold remediator license can be checked by using the VERIFY A LICENSE link at the Florida Department of Business and Professional web page at. Becoming Certified Radon and Indoor Air Program For Florida Information: 850-245-4288 or 800-543-8279 phtoxicology@flhealth.gov Fax 850-487-0864 Mailing Address Florida Department of Health Bureau of Environmental Health, Radon Program 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin A08 Tallahassee, FL 32399-7017 Privacy Policy. The presence of mold in the air is normal. website. If you suspect your home has poor indoor air quality and you are exhibiting various health symptoms, seek a licensed health care provider. The following types of people may be affected sooner and more severely than others: Some types of molds can produce chemicals called mycotoxins. Residential indoor air quality investigations if a physician has diagnosed a resident with a medical condition that is caused by a pollutant in the indoor environment (a physicians referral and a nominal fee is required for this service). There is also no blood or urine test that can tell if an individual has been exposed to Stachybotrys chartarum spores or its toxins. How can I tell when Stachybotrys chartarum is present in my home? Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Prescription Pad Vendors. In addition, Florida Department of Health does not recommend mold testing or sampling to see if you have a mold problem, or to see what kind of mold might be growing. All indoor mold growth should be removed promptly, no matter what type(s) of mold is present, or whether or not it can produce mycotoxins. Some strains of Stachybotrys chartarum may produce mycotoxins. Headaches, memory problems, mood swings, nosebleeds, and body aches and pains are sometimes reported in mold complaints, but the causes of these physical symptoms are not yet understood. Privacy Policy. Refugee Health Services have relocated to 1743 Park Center Drive, 4th floor, Orlando, FL 32835. Mold often appears as a staining or fuzzy growth on furniture or building materials (walls, ceilings, or anything made of wood or paper). Check references and ask the contractor to follow current recommendations by EPA and the guidelines of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) or other professional or government organizations. How can I tell if there is mold in my home? There are hundreds of thousands of different types of mold. When water stands for even 24 hours, common molds can take hold. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov and www.brevardeh.com. Prevent / Eliminate Mold & Mildew: October 19, 2022. Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. Left navigation requires javascript to be enabled in your browser. All too common in our humid Florida climate, mold and mildew can present health problems in indoor environments. If mold-allergic people have some of the symptoms listed above when in your home, you may have a mold problem. If mold growth has already occurred, carefully remove or clean the moldy material. If you have concerns regarding your health before starting the cleanup, consult your doctor. The license for a mold assessor or mold remediator can be checked by using the VERIFY A LICENSE link at the Florida Department of Business and Professional web page. Through this program, Sarasota County has a full-time environmental health specialist who provides advice and expertise about how to manage indoor air problems in residences, schools, health care, and public facilities. 954-467-4700. From mold in barracks to updating jump logs, here are some of the issues that soldiers want to fix. Spores can also be spread by water and insects. Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Where can I obtain additional information? The Florida Department of Health operates county health departments in all 67 of the state's counties. By using this site, you agree to the In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is not needed. Check references and ask the contractor to follow the recommendations in EPA's ", If you think the heating or air conditioning (HVAC) system may be contaminated with mold, read the EPA's guide ". People with chronic illnesses or people with immune system problems may be more likely to get infections from certain molds, viruses, and bacteria. Whether a mold produces mycotoxins depends on what the mold is growing on and conditions such as temperature, pH, humidity, or other factors. Advice on the health effects of common indoor air pollutants. Practitioner Profile. Stachybotrys chartarum (also known as Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that can grow on materials such as drywall or sheetrock, ceiling tiles, and wood when they become moist or water-damaged. The Florida Department of Health does not recommend mold testing or sampling to see if you have a mold problem, or to see what kind of mold might be growing. Molds are types of fungi. Currently, there is no test to determine whether Stachybotrys growth found in buildings is producing toxins. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)https://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)https://www.cdc.gov/mold/default.htm, Florida Cooperative Extension, University of Floridahttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/TOPIC_Moisture_Mold_and_Mildew. All indoor mold growth should be removed, regardless of type. Downtown Service Center, 1300 West Gregory Street, Pensacola, FL 32502 Many molds are black but are not Stachybotrys. The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried. Left navigation requires javascript to be enabled in your browser. Contact. Lee-PIO@FLHealth.gov. Are some molds more hazardous than others? Live spores act like seeds, forming new mold colonies when they find the right conditions. Molds are types of fungi that grow in the natural environment. Even dust that has settled on these materials or furniture can be a food source for molds. For more information visit our webpage at. Ron DeSantis in 2021 to head the Florida Department of Health, has drawn intense scrutiny over his shared resistance with the Republican . Radium is a decay product of uranium, which is present in almost all rocks and soil. The easiest way to prevent the mold from gaining a foothold is to control dampness. Privacy Policy. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the actual health risks from breathing in or skin contact with mold toxins. If the mold returns quickly or spreads, it may mean you have an underlying problem, such as a water leak. Indoor mold growth can usually be seen or smelled. 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