{"id":24695,"date":"2026-09-07T10:51:43","date_gmt":"2026-09-07T05:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=24695"},"modified":"2026-09-07T10:51:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-07T05:06:43","slug":"the-hidden-health-risk-after-floods-what-mold-on-the-walls-can-do-to-your-lungs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eng.dragonmedia.com.np\/?p=24695","title":{"rendered":"The Hidden Health Risk After Floods: What Mold on the Walls Can Do to Your Lungs<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adrian Mercer<\/strong><\/p>\n

When health risks after floods are discussed, attention usually turns to contaminated water, diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid, dengue or leptospirosis. But another health hazard often begins only after the floodwaters recede and families return home. It is mold, or fungal growth, spreading through damp walls, wood, clothing, carpets and furniture.<\/p>\n

A flood-damaged house may look clean from the outside while moisture remains trapped for days or weeks inside walls, wooden structures, ceilings, carpets, mattresses and furniture. That persistent dampness creates ideal conditions for mold to grow. Prolonged exposure to damp and moldy buildings can increase the risk of respiratory symptoms, allergic reactions and asthma-related problems.<\/p>\n

Mold is not merely the black, green or grey patch visible on a wall. It can release microscopic spores into the air. When inhaled, these spores can reach the nose, throat and lungs, potentially causing nasal congestion, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, burning or red eyes, itchy skin and wheezing.<\/p>\n

For many healthy people, these reactions may be mild or temporary. The situation can be very different for people with asthma, chronic lung disease, allergies or weakened immune systems. Mold exposure can aggravate existing asthma and may lead to persistent coughing or breathing difficulties even in people who previously had few respiratory complaints. In some people with severely weakened immunity or serious lung disease, fungal infections can become rare but potentially serious complications.<\/p>\n

For this reason, the first question when returning to a flood-affected home should be: Has the house completely dried?<\/p>\n

The absence of visible water on the floor does not mean that the building is dry. Wood, plaster, wall layers, mattresses, carpets and other absorbent materials can retain substantial moisture long after surface water has disappeared.<\/p>\n

Flood-damaged buildings and materials should ideally be dried as quickly as possible, preferably within the first 24 to 48 hours. Materials that remain wet for longer periods provide increasingly favourable conditions for mold growth. Paper, fabric, carpets, wood and other porous materials that cannot be properly cleaned and dried may eventually have to be discarded.<\/p>\n

This issue is particularly important in Nepal\u2019s flood-affected communities. Many houses have been exposed to water, mud and debris, while some families may return only after several days or weeks. During that period, closed rooms, waterlogged walls and damp furniture can become breeding grounds for mold. Schools, health facilities, offices and other public buildings being brought back into use after the disaster face the same risk.<\/p>\n

Cleaning mold can itself expose people to health hazards. Scraping mold from walls or removing damaged carpets, mattresses and wood can release large quantities of dust and fungal spores into the air. People carrying out such cleaning should therefore use appropriate protection, including a well-fitting N95 respirator, gloves, protective eyewear, long-sleeved clothing and sturdy footwear.<\/p>\n

People with asthma, chronic respiratory disease or weakened immune systems should avoid cleaning heavily mold-contaminated buildings whenever possible. Children should not be involved in this work. Pregnant women, older people and those recovering from serious illnesses should preferably remain elsewhere until the affected building has been adequately cleaned and dried.<\/p>\n

Another common mistake can occur during the drying process. Directing a powerful fan at an area where mold has already become established can disperse spores into other parts of the building. Visible contamination should first be removed safely. Proper ventilation and moisture control should then be used to complete the drying process.<\/p>\n

Mold growing on hard, non-porous surfaces can often be cleaned with water and detergent, followed by complete drying. But heavily soaked mattresses, thick carpets, upholstered furniture and severely damaged internal building materials may not always be salvageable. Simply wiping away the visible stain does not solve the problem if moisture remains underneath.<\/p>\n

For that reason, controlling moisture is more important than relying on chemicals alone. If water continues to enter through a leaking roof, pipe, wall or foundation, that source must be repaired first. Rooms should be adequately ventilated, wet materials should be dried thoroughly and, where possible, equipment that reduces indoor humidity can be used.<\/p>\n

Household cleaning chemicals also require caution. Bleach should never be mixed with ammonia or other cleaning agents. Such combinations can produce toxic gases capable of causing severe irritation and injury to the eyes, airways and lungs. Stronger chemicals do not automatically mean safer flood cleanup.<\/p>\n

It is also unnecessary to assume that every patch of mold must be sent to a laboratory for species identification. If visible mold and persistent dampness are present, the immediate priority is to remove the contamination safely and eliminate the moisture problem. The popular fear surrounding so-called \u201cblack mold\u201d can also be misleading. The colour of a mold patch alone does not determine the level of health risk.<\/p>\n

What should never be ignored are the body\u2019s warning signs. Anyone who develops persistent coughing, breathing difficulty, chest tightness, wheezing or a sudden worsening of asthma after returning to a flood-damaged or moldy building should seek medical advice. People with weakened immunity who develop fever together with respiratory symptoms require especially prompt medical assessment.<\/p>\n

Local governments also have an important responsibility. Schools, health facilities, public offices and temporary shelters should not be declared safe for reoccupation simply because the mud has been removed. Moisture levels, ventilation, mold contamination, electrical safety and structural integrity should all be assessed before buildings are brought back into regular use.<\/p>\n

Post-flood reconstruction is not only about rebuilding roads, bridges and walls. It must also ensure that the homes people return to are healthy places to live. A building that looks structurally sound but remains chronically damp can continue harming its occupants for months.<\/p>\n

When floodwater enters a house, the danger is obvious.<\/p>\n

When mold takes hold afterward, the danger is not always visible.<\/p>\n

That is why the first priority when returning home after a flood should not only be rescuing belongings. It should be making sure the building is thoroughly dry.<\/p>\n

A small patch on the wall can sometimes be the first warning that the air inside the home is no longer healthy.<\/p>\n

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