This document outlines a training presentation on mold awareness and clean-up practices for NYCHA housing. The presentation covers: (1) where mold comes from and how it grows, (2) health effects of mold exposure, and (3) how to identify hazards, clean up mold, and prevent future growth. Specific topics include mold biology, identifying mold, health impacts, protective equipment, cleaning procedures, and quizzes to assess understanding. The goal is to educate public housing residents on mold basics, risks, and proper cleaning methods.

1. 1 Pre-test, Regist forms, Welcome & Course Objectives
2 Welcome and Course Objectives 5
3 Mold Basics: Biology, growth, identification, control 10
4 Mold Related Health Effects 10
5 Clean up procedures 10
7 Personal Protective Equipment 5
8 Other Hazards: (Chemicals, Safety) 5
9 Moving Forward: Where do I start? What do I ask for? 5
10 Quiz 5
11 Questions and Discussion 10

2. Presented by
CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College
Rutgers University School of Public Health
In coordination with the NYC Dept of Health &Mental Hygiene
Sponsored by the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
Mold Awareness and
Clean-up Practices for NYCHA Housing

3. You will learn ……
1. Where mold comes from and how it grows

4. You will learn ……
1. Where mold comes from and how it
grows
2. Health effects of mold
exposure

5. You will learn ……
1. How to identify Hazards
2. Where mold comes from and
how it grows
3. How to clean up mold in
your home

6. You will learn ……
1. How to identify Hazards
2. Where mold comes from and
how it grows
3. How to clean up mold in
your home
4. How to prevent mold
from coming back

7. You will learn ……
1. How to identify Hazards
2. Where mold comes from and
how it grows
3. Exposure and health effects
4. How to protect yourself
5. What to do next

8. Let’s get started

9. Where does mold come from
and how does it grow?
• Naturally occurring and found everywhere
• Over 200,000 species identified
• It’s everywhere; on your skin, clothes
• Your home cannot be mold spore free

10. What Makes Mold Grow?
1. Water / Moisture
– Is the main controllable factor
– No water = no growth
2. Food (it’s abundant)
– Wood, carpeting, padding
– Wallpaper, sheetrock, paper
– Ceiling tiles, cotton, wool, leather
– Body cells, hair, dust
3. Heat
– like many living things, mold grows best at room temperature.
Food
Water
Heat

11. Each visible growth came from a
single mold spore cell

12. On building materials, mold looks like this

13. In the bathroom it can look like this…

14. Or like this…

15. Why is mold not growing here?
1. A brand new shower curtain that’s wet?
2. Tomato sauce in the refrigerator?
3. Crackers on the countertop?

16. How to Recognize Mold?
• By seeing it
– Discolored walls and ceiling
– Fuzzy material
• By smelling it
– Musty
– Earthy smell
– “Damp basement smell”

17. Mold testing and is it needed?
1. Test a Surface (colony)
– Lab analysis (Microscope)
– Expensive & not necessary
2. Test the Air for Spores
– Expensive & complicated
– Usually not necessary

18. How does mold enter the body?

19. What are the potential adverse health effects
of living or working in a moldy home?
• Can trigger or cause
Allergic Reactions
• Can trigger Asthma (or
make it worst)
• Can cause Respiratory
Irritation
• If immuno-compromised
may cause infectious

20. Black Mold / Toxic Mold?
• Usually refers the mold: “Stachybotrys Chartarum”
• May release unique “toxins”
• “Stachy” grows slow
• Needs more moisture that others
• Can NOT be visually identified

21. 1. Dry the bathroom
2. Clean
3. Fix any damage
4. Keep area dry
Removing Mold from Bathrooms
No moisture = No mold

22. Cleaning up

23. Cleaning up

24. What supplies do I use?

25. Removing Mold / Mildew from Bathroom
• Dry out bathroom ….
• Put on gloves
• Scrub away mold / mildew
• Wipe
• Dry
• Re-caulk if necessary

26. Cleaning
• Start up high and work your way down
• Lightly mist moldy surface with sprayer
• Follow instructions (spray, wait, wipe)
• Brush or scrape mold from surface
• Use scraper to remove material from corners
• Dispose of dirty towels in plastic bag
• When complete, wet-wipe or vacuum floors

27. Special Mold Remediation Issues

29. Which is better?

30. Mold will grow faster when shower curtain is:
a. Folded and bunched up
b. Un-folded (like above)

31. Venting Moisture
• Window
– Open after shower to remove moisture
• No window
– Keep door open to remove moisture
– Keep shower curtain unfolded
– Air on both sides

32. Drying / Venting

33. Venting

34. Next Steps – Doing the Work
• Inspect your bathroom
• Inspect your kitchen / sink
• Inspect your Walls / ceilings
• Report to NYCHA
• Bathrooms – clean

35. Quiz

36. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free

37. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free

38. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom

39. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom

40. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it

41. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it

42. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it
4. Only “black” mold is a health issue

43. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it
4. Only “black” mold is a health issue

44. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it
4. Only “black” mold is a health issue

45. TRUE or FALSE
1. Your house can be totally mold free
2. Mold can only grow in a bathroom
3. You can tell what type of mold by looking at
it
4. Only “black” mold is a health issue

46. Thanks for coming,
please tell your friends..
Evaluation forms, please complete