What Do I Smell?/Properly Wash your Fruits and Vegetables

Peggy R. Anderson

Extension Agent

July 13, 2011

What Do I Smell?

Several county residents have asked about the smell in their basements and how to get rid of that smell. If you can smell a musty odor or see mold, you have a mold problem. According to our Extension Engineer, Kenneth Hellevang, “mold growth, which is a health hazard, is a concern any time high humidity or damp materials exists. Reliable sampling for mold can be expensive since it requires special equipment and training. Testing is not generally recommended as a first step”.  

Wet or damp materials will mold in one to three days, depending on temperature. Mold spores, which are like mold “seeds,” are in the air everywhere, so the only method to prevent mold growth is to keep things dry or to remove them from the damp area. Remove porous materials such as cardboard boxes and papers, carpet, rugs and clothes to keep them from becoming moldy. Chlorine bleach is a biocide that will kill existing mold, but it does not prevent future mold growth. Mold must be removed, not just killed, to eliminate the health hazard. 

Hellevang also shares that, “many wall coverings are porous and will not only absorb water, but will wick the water above the water level. Gypsum board or drywall (sheetrock) is very absorbent and will wick water up a wall. Remove or cut the gypsum board so none of it will be in the water. Mold grows readily on the paper of gypsum board, so controlling the humidity level in the basement is critical to minimize mold growth.” 

“Purchase a humidity gauge, and keep the humidity below 70 percent. A dehumidifier will remove some of the water from the air. Ventilating with dry outdoor air also will reduce the humidity level. Providing both an opening for air to enter and exit is critical.” Hellevang continues by saying that “opening at least two windows for cross-ventilation. Using a fan facing to the outdoors will assist with moving dry outside air through the basement. Use fans to circulate dry air across damp surfaces to help the material dry. Isolate the basement from the rest of the house to limit humidity from the basement entering the rest of the house.” 

According to information provided on the NDSU flood page from Hellevang individuals need to remove water from the basement by channeling the water to floor drains or by using a skimmer pump or wet vac. Water will continue to enter the basement as long as the water table is high, so the goal is to control the water flow rather than eliminate it. Generally, water cannot be stopped from entering the basement with products placed inside the basement because of the external water pressure. 

The bottom line folks; it’s time to get rid of your old cardboard boxes and stashes of papers including the boxes of old school papers in the basement. Clean those walls down with a bleach solution and dry your basement out. Using room scents are only covering up a potential health hazard. 

Properly Wash your Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and vegetables make any summer meal more delicious, but only if proper food safety rules have been followed. It is important to properly wash fresh produce before eating to reduce harmful microorganisms that could cause foodborne illness, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln food safety specialist said.

Wash produce with running water and then let that water go down the drain. Do not just soak the produce, said Julie Albrecht, UNL Extension food safety specialist in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

If there is something on the outside of a food, soaking it could allow the microorganisms to spread to other parts of the food or to other produce in the same sink. Running water washes the microorganisms down the drain, Albrecht said.

"It's really just about preventing cross contamination," Albrecht said. "Always use a colander or strainer so the water goes through the produce instead of just letting produce sit in water."

It is important to wash all fresh produce, even ones with rinds that are not eaten, Albrecht said. Bacteria could be living on the surface and then spread to the inside of the fruit when the rind is cut.

Scrub foods with tough surfaces, like melons and potatoes, with a vegetable scrubber.

Immediately refrigerate fresh produce after cutting it. Most fruits and vegetables can be stored at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below, which is cold enough to prevent microorganisms from growing.

"Once you cut something or peel it, keep it cold, refrigerate it. Do not let it set out at room temperature because microorganisms grow best around temperatures of 80 to100. Plus, your food will be crisper and of a better quality," Albrecht said.

Leafy vegetables and tomatoes have been linked to foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years, so take extra care to wash them and keep them cold, Albrecht said.

Be sure to also wash hands, surfaces and utensils before handling raw produce.

While shopping, only buy the best-looking produce that will stay fresh the longest.

"Pick high-quality produce with no bumps or scratches at the peak of ripeness or maybe a little under ripe," Albrecht said. "And make sure there is no mold, especially on berries."

Schedule

Wednesday, July 14 – Burke County

Thursday, July 14 – Burke County

Friday, July 15 – Personal Leave

Monday, July 18 – Personal Leave

Tuesday, July 19 – Personal Leave