By Kentucky Public Radio
Kentucky – For many, the worst part of a natural disaster is the cleanup. And for victims of last month's severe flooding in Kentucky and Tennessee, there is a growing threat of mold. Alisa Kramer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has a warning: looks can be deceiving.
"When residents have water pumped out of their basements or they dry out their homes, there's a very toxic residue and that residue is mold."
"If you think that your home has been dried out, the mold remains because in places where it's moist, air and heat and light can't get to it, that's where mold can grow and that's where you have to be very careful to detect the source and throw out the materials that are affected."
Kramer says mold can lead to health problems like asthma, irritation to the eye, nose and skin, headaches and memory loss. Infants, children and older adults are especially vulnerable. Kramer says flood-damaged porous materials like carpets, ceiling tiles and wood products should be thrown out. Harder materials like glass, plastic and metal can be cleaned and disinfected.