Puerto Rico is No Stranger to Natural Disasters and the Indoor Environmental Quality Challenges Left to Business Owners, Homeowners and Renters

Puerto Rico is all too familiar with the devastating impact of hurricanes, tropical storms and earthquakes. With the official arrival of hurricane season last month, property owners, renters and property management professionals need to be prepared.
 
When one of these events occur, the property damage can range from minor to a total loss. If water is involved, it almost always results in the growth of mold. Recognizing this fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released a guidance document to help homeowners and renters deal with mold cleanup after a flooding event.
 
The document, Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup after Disasters, provides helpful information about some of the hazards people may encounter after a flood and tips to protect those faced with mold and cleaning up the damage. It states that drying a home and removing water-damaged items is the most important step for preventing mold damage. If a home is flooded, and it, along with furnishings and other possessions are not dried out within 24 to 48 hours, mold growth should be assumed. The mold may be visible and there may be a moldy odor, but it may also be hidden under or behind items like carpets, cushions, walls and many other building materials and furnishings.
 
“This government guidance document shares information about health risks and the many hazards people could encounter in a home or property that has been damaged,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “It does provide steps to dry and clean a property, but warns the job may be too difficult or dangerous, and that help from an experienced and qualified professional may be needed. At Zimmetry, our building science and environmental professionals have been responding to hurricanes, flooding events and other natural disasters in Puerto Rico and the surrounding area for over 18 years. We offer water damage, mold, sewage, chemical, asbestos, lead and other testing and consulting services. These services not only identify exposure risks, after cleanup activities have been completed, they help to ensure a safe and healthy indoor environment for homeowners and building occupants.”
 
Zimmetry has also sponsored an educational video that discusses Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup after Disasters that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/BbNsFkwj10g
 
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