Prevention is Key in Dealing with Mold Published Jan. 21, 2011 By Master Sgt. Julie Briden-Garcia 380th Air Expeditionary Wing SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Mold, mildew, and fungus are associated with uncleanliness. On the contrary, mold is everywhere moisture and oxygen are present and, left unattended, can cause various health issues. Even though it's a very natural part of our world, prevention is key in dealing with mold. Federal Emergency Management Agency explains that mold reproduce through tiny, dust-sized spores which are like seeds and can survive for days. They're everywhere -- they travel in the wind and can be in the dust and dirt around us. Because of the mold in our offices, homes and vehicles right now, it's almost impossible to clean our indoor living environment of these spores completely. The good news is that since mold occurs naturally in nature, our bodies have evolved to deal with a certain amount of mold exposure. Most bases in this Area of Responsibility have problems with these natural little spores. Capt. Leonardo Somera, 380th Expeditionary Medical Group's chief of bio-environmental engineering says, "Prevention is the best thing we can do in regards to addressing mold health concerns. First off, understand that mold spores are everywhere. They live in your room, your bathrooms, showers and in the air, in general." Maj. Karen Kramer, 380th EMDG Public Health officer also explains, "If you notice anything growing on the wall, don't ignore it." If you find mold, it is fairly easy to remove from small areas, such as less than a one square foot. Some good old soap and water is effective to clean the area. You might want to even use a disinfectant cleaner if available to kill the mold. Just wiping down surfaces or vacuuming won't rid you of the spores. Dead mold can still produce allergic reactions. Also check for any leaks or spills that may have been overlooked. "The cases that we see in Public Health, and generally throughout the Air Force," said Maj. Kramer, "deal with basic cleanliness. People need education on how to clean and how often to clean. We shouldn't take that for granted, we should just get our people on the right track for the get go." When water leaks or puddles are left unattended or even if you put a wet towel into your dirty clothes hamper ... mold can grow. There are many options to help minimize the effects of mold in your indoor environment. The most obvious and easiest solution is to clean up any standing water or moisture. Use a spray bottle with water and bleach solution before and after you shower will help minimize the microbial growth. Something else everyone can do is hang up your moist PT clothes. When you're done with your fitness workout, don't just toss your wet clothes into the laundry bag; give them a chance to dry by draping them over a chair or over the door on your wall locker until they're dry. Within a few hours they should be dry enough for the laundry bag. The humidity in this area of the AOR can be a problem indoors when dealing with mild and mildew. "That's a good test, if your towel or clothes aren't dry within 12 hours, then that's a good indicator that your dehumidifier isn't functioning up to par," said Capt. Somera. Dorm rooms and tents in the AOR are normally set up with dehumidifiers. These must be emptied and cleaned regularly as to the instructions provided by the lodging office to include cleaning dusts from the vents. These easy-to-follow instructions are contained in the Dorm Resident Responsibility letter everyone should received when checking in to their base. Another room requirement to follow is keeping the furniture clear from your dorm and office walls by 3-4 inches to allow for sufficient air flow. If you allow air flow between the wall and room furniture, you can ward off mold colonies. Finally, to help reduce moisture you can increase the airflow by opening doors and windows when practical. As a helpful site for mold identification and prevention, the United States Environmental Protection Agency says, when water leaks or spills occur indoors - act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow. If you see condensation forming, it's a good indicator that, if not tended to, mold won't be far behind.