The ongoing health risks from hurricanes like Hurricane Sandy is eradicating mold

Damaged home left with mold from storm

Many months ago now, Hurricane Sandy slammed into the Eastern Coast of the United States, devastating homes and businesses and causing displacement of hundreds of people. But the long-term problem is not just the damage the storm produced but the health risks that may continue over many months to come.

The problem is mold. Many of the properties hit by Hurricane Sandy had major water damage and are now mold infested, requiring extensive mold removal processes to make them safe.

The health risks, according to experts, include an increase in allergies, irritation associated with volatile organic compounds, invasive disease and mycotoxicosis. The elderly and children are said to be especially susceptible to problems associated with mold.

After Hurricane Katrina many people had problems with mold. One of the major issues had to do with contractors going into New Orleans neighborhoods promising to get rid of the mold and to properly take care of the problem for the long-term so that rebuilding could take place. However, as many residents reported, much of the remediation was said not to have remediated anything.  The same thing is occurring now in the East Coast, where people have reported being fleeced by contractors not eradicating the mold after promising to do so safely and adequately.

Experts recommend that people check the credentials and experience record of contractors before hiring someone to take care of the mold. The problem, however, is finding the right people and products for the many homes and buildings requiring service, something anticipated to take months if not years.

The CDC offers a list of suggestions and resources for those individuals who have been impacted by black mold.

Hurricane Sandy's footprints are likely to be traced in black mold for some time to come.