March 6, 2006: CDC Provides Mold Guidance for Gulf Coast Region
ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a mold guidance document on its Website called "Mold: Prevention Strategies and Possible Health Effects in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."
According to the CDC, the duration and extent of flooding and the number of structures flooded as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita make the likelihood of massive mold contamination in buildings a certainty. Some have estimated that as many as 60 to 80 percent of residential structures in New Orleans sustained severe flood damage. Outside New Orleans, extensive hurricane damage without prolonged flooding occurred. This more typical pattern of damage from wind and rain will result in problems with mold, but will not be as extensive as in New Orleans.