Routinely inspect the evaporator coils, liner surfaces, drain pans, and drain lines. Protective gloves and safety goggles should be worn during cleaning Small areas of mold should be cleaned using detergent/soapy water or a commercial mildew or mold cleaner. Unfortunately, very little is known regarding the actual health risks from breathing in or skin contact with mold toxins. Note: If you desire to remain on this page right click on the link and select Open in new window. We donotprovide the following services: For a list of licensed mold assessors and remediators, please refer to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation by clicking here https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp?mode=0&SID=. The toxic effects of certain molds are not well understood, and are currently a controversial topic in the medical and scientific community. Sources of Indoor Air Pollution include, (but are not limited to): Mold & Moisture - *Note: The Florida Department of Health does not provide mold testing or conduct mold assessment and investigation of homes. 850-595-6774 Mailing Address. The Florida Department of Health operates county health departments in all 67 of the state's counties. Molds are also very common in buildings and homes. We sometimes measure basic parameters (like humidity, CO2, temperature) or suspect chemicals as part of an investigation. Building materials, household goods and furnishings may also be damaged. . Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Tiny particles of mold can be found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air. Search areas where you notice mold odors. To learn more about the renewal process, select the type of license you wish to renew from the list of professions below. How much mold does it take to make me sick? Mold | Florida Department of Health in Indian River Home Programs and Services Environmental Health Indoor Air Mold Mold Environmental Health 772-794-7440 zzzzFB_CHD31EH@flhealth.gov Fax 772-794-7447 Mailing Address 1900 27th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960 Can mold make me sick? Privacy Policy. What health problems can be caused by mold? If you think the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system has been affected, visit the EPA's guidance documents under "Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned? Persons who clean the mold should be free of symptoms and allergies. Throw away any sponges or rags used to clean mold. If you have concerns regarding your health before starting the cleanup, consult your doctor. Please note, that allergic reactions to mold are common and can be immediate or delayed. 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. Flooding from the outside (e.g., storm water, overflowing lakes, streams, and storm surge), Flooding from the indoor (e.g., overflow from sinks, tubs, toilets, air conditioner drain pans, and sewerage systems), Condensation (caused by indoor humidity that is too high or surfaces that are too cold), Water leaks from outside the building (e.g., leaks from roof, walls, or floors), Indoor plumbing leaks or broken water pipes, Outdoor sprinkler spray hitting the walls, or indoor fire sprinklers, Poor venting of kitchen and bathroom moisture (e.g., steam from shower or cooking), Drying wet clothes indoors, or not venting clothes dryers outdoors (including electric dryers), House plants (e.g., over watering plants), Moisture from our bodies (e.g., sweat, wet hair on pillows, and breath), 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), Dry out wet building materials and carpets within 24 hours, Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to reduce the indoor humidity levels below 60%. Contact Us 850-595-6700 Fax. Viera, FLThe Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Brevard County (DOH-Brevard) has a list of Frequently Asked Questions to address some of the most common questions and concerns about indoor mold. statement on "Building Dampness, Mold, and Health", Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Annual Regulatory PlansFlorida Department of Health (pdf), For mold complaints in Florida public lodging, please refer to the. For additional information, call DOH-Lees Environmental Health Office at 239-690-2100 or the Florida Department of Healths (DOHs) Radon and Indoor Air Program at 800-543-8279. Refugee Health Services have relocated to 1743 Park Center Drive, 4th floor, Orlando, FL 32835. Most unresolved landlord-tenant issues related to indoor air quality or mold are best handled using the local court system. Where can I obtain additional information? Small areas of mold should be cleaned using detergent/soapy water or a commercial mildew or mold cleaner. Mold often emerges as a staining or fuzzy growth on furniture or building materials, such as walls, ceilings or anything made of wood or paper. Left navigation requires javascript to be enabled in your browser. Without it, mold growth cannot start, much less multiply and spread. People with asthma or who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. More information on mold can be found through U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University of Central Florida, Florida Solar Energy Center, or the Florida Department of Health Indoor Air webpages. The cleaned area should be thoroughly dried. Tallahassee, Fla. Yesterday, the Florida Department of Health (Department) was proud to join the state in recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. When water stands for even 24 hours, common molds can take hold. 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. They can provide guidance and advice on prevention, identification of mold problems, investigation techniques, clean-up methods, disaster planning, and messaging, health effects including possible hazards of mold exposure, and direct concerned people to appropriate local resources. The long-term presence of indoor mold may eventually become unhealthy for anyone. These services include: Our program is consultative and diagnostic in nature and has no regulatory powers. Operating hours for your county can be found by visiting the Florida Department of Health's website (floridahealth.gov). Indoors, mold growth can be found where humidity levels are high, like basements and showers. Mold Florida Department of Health in Monroe County (305) 293-7500 Mailing Address 1100 Simonton Street Key West, FL 33040 Due to the damp conditions fostered by a tropical environment in Florida, mold growth may become an issue in some homes or apartments. Medical Marijuana Qualified Physician. If there has been a lot of water damage, and/or mold growth covers more than 10 square feet, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline: ", If you choose to hire a contractor (or other professional service provider) to do the cleanup, make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold. There are two different types of tests: Once you know the concentration of Radon in your home, there are several radon mitigation methods. Humidity or wetness, caused by water leaks, spills from bathtubs or . You may also contact The Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association online or call themat 407-841-8310. In a place as humid and wet as Florida, mold is a very common problem. No. Throw away any sponges or rags used to clean mold. Where can I obtain additional information? Sampling for mold in the air can be expensive and, if done, should only be done by experienced professionals. If you still have questions or concerns, or to schedule an indoor air quality assessment, please contact our office at 407-858-1497 Indoor Air Quality assessment fee is $85.00. or the FDOHs Radon and Indoor Program at 850-245-4288 or Toll-free at 1-800-543-8279. Who can I call if I suspect that I have a mold problem, or if I want more information on mold? Without it, mold growth cannot grow. 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. For their size, children breathe up to twice as much air as adults, and are therefore at higher risk for health problems. The Florida Department of Health Indoor Air program helps with mold issues through the following activities: Please note that the Florida Department of Health does not provide mold testing or support to professional consultants. Keeping humidity levels below 60% and venting moisture from showering and cooking to the outside are several ways to prevent the conditions that can lead to mold growth. For people that are sensitive to molds, symptoms may occur such as nasal and sinus irritation or congestion, dry hacking cough, wheezing, skin rashes or burning, or watery, reddened eyes. If there is a lot of mold growth, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's guidance: "Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings." Ron DeSantis in 2021 to head the Florida Department of Health, has drawn intense scrutiny over his shared resistance with the Republican . The cleaned area should then be thoroughly dried. For additional information about the health effects of mold exposure and information on the safe removal of mold, please call your County Health Department's Environmental Health Office, the Florida Department of Health, Radon and Indoor Air Program at 1-800-543-8279, or review the respective mold webpages of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dust mites eat mold and dead human or animal skin scales (flakes) and leave allergenic proteins. August 1, 2020. If you have concerns regarding your health before starting the cleanup, consult your doctor. When mycotoxins are present, they occur in both living and dead mold spores, and may be present in materials that have become contaminated with molds. 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. Infants, children, older adults, individuals with chronic respiratory conditions and persons with weakened immune systems may be affected sooner and more severely than others. 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). 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). People with mold allergies, asthma or who have weakened immune systems should not clean or remove moldy materials. Throw away any sponges or rags used to clean mold. Tiny particles of molds are found everywhere in indoor and outdoor air. All too common in our humid Florida climate, mold and mildew can present health problems in indoor environments. "Consult a licensed air-conditioning or mechanical contractor for additional information. 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