Mold Problems Persist in Puerto Rico’s Hurricane Damaged Properties

Months after Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused massive destruction to infrastructure and buildings across Puerto Rico, life for many area residents is still filled with challenges. A major concern encountered by many residents in their daily lives is exposure to the presence of high concentrations of mold. This is all too often the case in homes, schools and other institutions, and businesses that suffered water damage, elevated humidity levels, and no electricity for an extended period of time.
 
To educate residents of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands about mold, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released Mold: Problems and Solutions. This fact sheet was published a month after the storms made landfall and states the following:
 
After a natural disaster such as a hurricane or flood, excess moisture and water can contribute to the growth of mold in homes. If your home was flooded or damaged by water, mold may be present and may pose a health risk. You may see or smell mold on clothing, drywall, and furniture. It may also be hidden under or behind items like flooring, appliances, or walls. Drying your home and removing water-damaged items is the most important step in repairing mold damage.
 
Problems Associated With Mold
 

• Medical: Mold spores are microscopic organisms that can float through the air and cause problems with allergies, asthma, infections, and other respiratory issues. Anyone can suffer from medical issues related to mold. However, infants and children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe reactions. People with breathing problems like asthma or who have weakened immune systems should stay away from moldy sites.

• Home: If your home has mold, everything that has been contaminated must be cleaned properly and dried. Items that cannot be properly cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours must be removed and thrown away, including structural and personal property. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work. It is possible to have mold damage, despite no other visible damages.

 
“We regularly find mold, even in many of the hurricane damaged properties that have already been remediated, because the jobs were not done properly and the mold simply returned due to the fact that moisture and humidity issues were never resolved,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “To help in these situations, our building science experts have been busy identifying and mitigating these moldy environments to help create healthy indoor spaces for building occupants for today and the future.”
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their building science, indoor environmental quality, compliance and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail