What the US Army needs to do to defeat the Mildew Army

A dozen barracks at the largest U.S. military base at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, were hit by a mold infection weeks ago, forcing the relocation of about 1,100 soldiers on the base, Russia Today reported on September 17.

"One (US) soldier who returned to the Fort Stewart base after a long tour of duty in Europe found his room completely engulfed in mold ...... The walls were covered in mold, the bed had turned black and green, and most of the soldier's belongings had been destroyed." "Shocking scenes of mildew, such as a "6-inch carpet of mildew" on the ceiling, have left US military bases almost completely infested with mildew!

In response to the frequent mold disasters, the base has ordered more room inspections and cleanups, and the affected barracks are scheduled to be renovated by the end of 2033. Yes, that's right 2033! It will take 11 years to make up for the damage caused by one indoor mould infestation!!! This also means that a large sum of money for repairs and relocation will need to be spent.

However, the damage caused by indoor mould goes far beyond this and can cause serious harm to the human body. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), once people are exposed to mildew it can cause a range of health problems including nasal congestion, headaches, fatigue, wheezing, itching and, in more serious cases, fungal and respiratory infections. A 2009 study by the World Health Organisation found that mildew can cause memory loss in children, and that there is a link between drowsiness and asthma and exposure to mould. Mould can also predispose people to more severe allergic reactions associated with other illnesses.

So, what makes you susceptible to indoor mould?

Mildew and mould

Image from the internet

Mould is a part of the natural environment and is everywhere. In warm, dry conditions, mould is just so much in the air. However, once it encounters water, it instantly comes to life and keeps multiplying. Many indoor items provide nutrients for mould and help it to settle in, such as wood, wallpaper, plasterboard, carpets, fabrics, etc. When the humidity is >65%, the temperature is between 10 and 32°C, and there is organic matter as a nutritional base for growth, the mould spores are alive and well and it will grow mycelium or branches. There are many factors that can lead to indoor mould, such as climate (rainy season or long rainy seasons can increase the threat of mould), location (areas along rivers and seas are more susceptible to mould), poor indoor ventilation, the presence of a large source of moisture in the room (indoor water-using equipment or otherwise), water seepage through walls/windows, etc.

How can we prevent indoor Mildew?

I. Do not give conditions for mould to grow.

Eliminate sources of moisture: e.g. repair leaking roofs and pipes, don't put floor mats in bathrooms.

Remove old books and newspapers: if left in a damp place, such as under a bed, it will quickly become moldy.

2.Make sure the bathroom is well ventilated: turn on the exhaust fan during the shower to ventilate and open the windows as much as possible. Also open the door as much as possible to ventilate after the shower.

3.Use a dehumidifier: Use a dehumidifier in any part of your home that is prone to mould or damp, keep the humidity below before it reaches 40-50 per cent and remember to clean the water collection bucket regularly.

4.Use an air purifier: Use an air purifier with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter membrane that catches mould spores and keeps them from wandering in the air.

5.Clean the air conditioning filters regularly.

II. Timely removal of mould that has formed

1.Self-protection: Wear a dust mask to cover your nose and mouth, and rubber or plastic gloves.

2.Close doors and windows: Keep the doors and windows of rooms without mould closed so that the airborne mould spores do not drift through.

3.Turn on a dehumidifier.

Household cleaners to remove mould: Mix 1:1 household cleaner (e.g. detergent) with tap water, spray on the mould and wipe with a disposable rag, remove the mould and wipe clean with clean warm tap water.

4.Bleach sterilisation: Mix 250ml of bleach (e.g. 84 disinfectant) with 4 litres of tap water. Spray the diluted bleach solution onto the area where the mould has grown and leave for 15 minutes before wiping clean. In addition to bleach, you can also use a commercial mould remover instead of bleach, but follow the instructions on the label when using it.

5.Intensive cleaning: After the surface has air dried, clean up the dead mould and spore carcasses with a vacuum or air purifier with high efficiency air filtration. Deepen and consolidate the mould control by using Topone Mold Control in combination.

III. Hire a mould control team to do a comprehensive mould control service to save your mind and save for a rainy day.

Especially the service type of venues, especially need to do a good job of moisture and mould prevention, to avoid bringing customers a bad visiting experience.

In recent years, the climate is abnormal, mould outbreaks around the world, whether it is factories or public places or indoor homes should do a good job of indoor humidity monitoring, and combined with the actual situation to do a good job of mould initiatives, if you have any indoor moisture and mold problems, you are welcome to consult us at any time!