"Removing standing water and water-damaged materials within the first 72 hours is critical for preventing mold growth,"said Rebecca Morley, executive director of the National Center for Healthy Housing based in Columbia, Md. "Mold exposure may cause allergic reactions, such as asthma attacks, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and skin rash. Even dead mold spores pose a risk, especially for children and adults with respiratory problems," said Morley.

The instructional guide documents a protocol that was tested on four homes in New Orleans. In a home that experienced at least five feet of standing water for at least two weeks and had mold growth up to the ceiling, the protocol reduced the mold to non-detectable levels.

The National Center for Healthy Housing recommends the following steps for cleaning up flooded homes.

*  Remove standing water and dry out the building as soon as you can.
         Open doors and windows.  Mop up or pump out any standing water.
      *  Use a mild detergent and water to clean and remove mold from hard
         surfaces.
      *  Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove moisture after cleaning.  Be
         careful not to blow mold around while drying -- point fans to blow
         outside.
      *  Throw away moldy things that can't be cleaned such as carpets and
         carpet padding, upholstered furniture, drywall, wood molding, and
         fiberglass or cellulose insulation, and ceiling tiles.
      *  If there is more than 10 square feet (about 3 feet by 3 feet) of mold
         in your house, consider using a professional mold clean-up
         contractor.  Don't hire a contractor who recommends fogging or
         spraying as a way to clean up mold.  Moldy materials must be   removed  from the building.
      *  Wipe dry or allow all surfaces to fully air-dry before doing any more
         work.  Make sure that the home is allowed to completely dry before
         beginning restoration.