We had a flooding event in our school/child care setting and are now noticing a musty smell. What should we do?
- Immediate action should be taken after a flood event to reduce the risk of mould growth and exposure to other contaminants present in flood waters. A musty smell may be a sign of mould growth. Mould will begin to grow in areas with excessive moisture within 48 hours.
- Breathing in mould spores and/or mould fragments can pose a health risk. Children, and people with asthma and severe allergies, are more sensitive to the health effects of mould.
- This resource – Mould Expert Report: Health Impact of Indoor Dampness and Mould and Effective Remediation and Prevention Strategies, describes the health evidence and strategies to address indoor mould growth, including guidance on clean-up.
- You can generally clean up small amounts of mould with soap and water. Do not use bleach to clean up mould. Health Canada recommends that a qualified professional assess and clean up large areas of mould e.g., a single patch larger than 3 square metres.
- When cleaning up after a flood, ensure you use appropriate personal protective equipment. Discard mouldy or damaged material. Porous material such as fabrics, carpeting and wallboard often cannot be adequately cleaned and should be removed.
- You can help prevent mould growth by drying areas impacted by flooding as quickly as possible (< 48 hours), immediately repairing leaks, ensuring adequate ventilation and air circulation, especially in areas where moisture tends to build up (bathrooms, kitchens), preventing air conditioner condensation, and maintaining the relative humidity levels within the facility between 30% and 50%.
- Additional information on mould including prevention and remediation, can be found at these links:
Click here for a compilation of the references used in developing this FAQ and additional helpful resources.
Click here for more FAQs: Climate-related Indoor Air Quality Concerns in Learning Settings