Information Center Toxic Mold
Frequently Asked Questions about Toxic Mold
Q: Are there serious health effects from exposure to toxic mold?
A: Medical experts do not fully agree on the possible health effects of mold exposure. Most people will experience discomfort such as minor allergic reactions including: watering eyes, difficulty breathing and sinus congestion. A minority of people may experience severe health problems, such as a worsening of asthma, bleeding in the lungs and memory loss.
Q: Who is most susceptible to illness from mold exposure?
A: It is generally thought that persons who are most susceptible are those with immune suppression diseases, lung disease or illness, and serious allergies, and elderly persons and young children.
Q: How do you get rid of mold?
A: The first thing you should do is locate the source of the moisture problem. Moisture may enter a home through faulty windows, cracks, leaks, and broken pipes, to name a few places. Next, if a small amount of mold has developed, you should clean the area with a strong cleaning agent. You also will want to get rid of any porous materials with mold growth, like carpeting, wood, paper products and drywall. If the mold problem is very large, you may need professional assistance.
Q: How do I know if I have a mold problem in my home or business property?
A: Sometimes the mold will be visible. You should look for discoloration, musty odors and water stained areas. The mold can be many colors, including white, green and black. If you find mold, you can remove it yourself with a bleach and water solution. If the mold is pervasive, you may want to contact a professional cleaning service to help you. In most cases, however, mold will be hidden behind walls or ceilings or under carpeting. A mold testing company can check your property for mold in these areas.
Q: What should you do if you feel you might have a mold-related illness?
A: You should visit your doctor. Such illnesses may be very serious.
Q: What are some ways that I can reduce the chances for mold in my home?
A: Mold needs moisture, the ideal temperature and a food source to grow. Eliminating moisture is the best way to prevent mold growth. Fix any water problems or leaks. Also check your central air and heating systems and make sure your dryer and other appliances are properly ventilated. When it is humid out, use your air conditioning and/or a dehumidifier to get humidity levels in your house or business as low as possible. Reducing indoor humidity by 30-60 percent can help deter mold growth. Also, thoroughly clean and dry any damp materials in your home as soon as they become wet.
Q: Where can mold grow?
A: Mold can grow virtually anywhere. The most common areas are on or under carpeting, ceiling tiles or walls, window sills, paper backing and insulation.
Q: Why have mold claims been increasing?
A: Experts give a wide variety of reasons. First, modern building materials, such as paper sheathing, seem to provide a good food source for mold. Second, modern buildings are increasingly airtight. This traps moisture in and prevents drying of building materials should they become wet. In addition, buildings are constructed increasingly faster, leaving less time for the materials to dry and greater opportunity for construction defects.
Q: I have homeowner's insurance. Won't my policy pay for any damage caused by mold in my home?
A: Not necessarily. It will depend on the terms of your policy and the cause of the mold growth. Most homeowner's insurance policies contain a clause that excludes property damage caused by mold. Generally this exclusion has been interpreted to apply to instances where the mold occurs naturally over time from climatic changes - like high humidity, for example. You may want to ask an attorney to review the terms of your policy. He or she can advise you on whether your mold damage should be a covered occurrence under your policy.
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