Does anyone know if long-term mold exposure can cause health issues, especially in children, other than the typical allergy-like symptoms? We have found and cleaned several moldy areas in our house (under the kitchen sink, in the basement, etc.), but I am really worried about what could be in the walls that we can't see. The outdoor faucet is right outside my kid's bedroom windows, and we can't use it anymore because it gushes water into the basement. That caused a massive mold buildup in the basement before we ever knew it was happening. There are leaky pipes all over the house, and when we first moved in, we pointed out a large mold spot on the basement ceiling to the landlord. They just painted over it, and didn't clean it. We have lived here for over 4 years now, but I have started to wonder if it could be doing serious damage to my kids. I haven't been able to find much information yet online and have checked with the CDC and Health Department, but any answers there have been very vague (you know, the kinds that dance around an actual answer when they think they could get sued or something if they give a real answer). Any help is appreciated, because it seems like I am the only one who is concerned about it.
Look up 'black mold' on the internet and you will get several places to look for information. Maybe that will help a bit with knowing what to look for and how to clean the areas. I know it can be a huge problem with anyone who has asthma.
Good luck.
Is moving an option? Tell your landlord you need this taken care of or you will move and/or sue. He should know that mold is a high litigation area these days and it must be taken care of. He should have professional mold abatement done. You can find several companies that do this work by searching online. You can also rent "air scrubbers" to filter the air - but if you have moldy surfaces still in the house then the spores will just come back. Moldy surfaces must be removed and the air must be filtered. It sounds like your landlord is ignoring a chronic moisture problem and that is just stupid -- not only for his tenants sake but for his property's sake. Take care of it!
I would call someone and have them MAKE the landlord clean it! Or MOVE (if possible)!!! Check out webmd.com and type in symptoms or problems (ie: mold). Here's just one article I found: http://www.webmd.com/asthma/news/20050304/household-mold-....
I can't remember what show it was, but I remember seeing something on TV a few years ago about the many horrors of a mold situation, like cronic health issues for family members and the ordeal of trying to get rid of it all. I seem to recall they had to gut the house and replace all ductwork - by guys with FULL BODY SUITS COMPLETE WITH MASKS! Definately not safe by any means.
If it's not THAT bad, I hear you can put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the area to reduce spores.
Best wishes!
yes- it is very harmful to everyone in the home especially children and those with lung problems
we had this problem in VA and the landlord wouldn't do anything so we called the city and filed a formal complaint. he was given 30 days to have professionals come in and clean it up and have it pass inspection from the city to ensure that it was safe to live in or have it condemd
if your landlord won't do anything I would definatley call the city and get in touch with the right dept- alot of times they have to pay for a place for you to stay during the decomtamination proccess also, but i am not sure what the laws are in in MO
jenn, i don't know either but i am telling you there's SOMETHING to it...at the very least i think all the allergens lower our immune systems or something, because in the 10 months i have lived in this apartment we're in now (it doesn't have central air - it has two room units that get condensation and mold on them. i was told "just wipe it off"...okay that works for the outside...what about the inside of the unit? that's the air we have to breathe in!...not to mention we had a huge roach problem when we first moved in, that i've now taken care of...) my son had FOUR ear infections in the spring (within like 2 1/2 months), and hand-foot-and-mouth disease. that was all in the first seven months of living here. we are getting OUT. i might be paranoid but this place is NOT healthy and i'm DONE. right now we are battling horrible allergies and i'm SO frustrated. i know 4 years is a long time living in one place, but if it was me i'd look into moving at the first opportunity.
Jenn, the short answer is YES. Mold exposure (depending on the kind of mold) is definitely harmful to kids, adults, anyone with lungs. There can be devastating neurological effects as well.
My advice is to tell your landlord you need him or her to clean the mold with a professional haz mat or disaster restoration company (they know how to clean up mold and can test it to see how bad it is). If you don't get the results you want from the landlord, especially if your clean-up request is ignored, you should be prepared to move and report the landlord to housing authorities.
Good luck!!!
Mold can definitely be a health issue, but aside from that, the landlord needs to fix the leaking pipes in HIS/HER house. I agree that it's time for you to find a new place to live, though. We have rentals, and the biggest problem we have is tenants who do not let us know when there are problems. I fail to understand why landlords refuse to fix problems that will affect the value of their investments. Make the landlord understand your concerns in no uncertain terms. Document your concerns in a letter to the landlord--not a phone call. Keep following up until the leaking pipes are fixed. AND when you're ready to move, be diligent about inspecting the the property for these types of issues and insist they be fixed BEFORE you move in.
Don't know what health issues mold causes other than allergies, but I can tell you that if the environment is moist enough to grow mold, then it is also a breeding ground for other types of bacteria and health concerns. Either way, not good for your health.
My son went to a daycare that had mold in the carpets. He then developed asthma. Almost every kid in that nursery was on breathing treatments. I also know of another woman who informed me that her niece went to a daycare out of state that had mold too and she also developed asthma as a result of being exposed to it. Not trying to scare you but I would be very careful. Not only is it hard on kids, asthma isn't cheap to treat, and once you get asthma it doesn't just go away. Hope I haven't scared you. I wish someone would have told me this before my son had to endure it.
Good Morning Jenn, Yes Mold can and will cause health issues. I live in Benton Ks, and there have been several news articles on TV about the mold problems in apartments and rental other homes. A group of people took their Landlord to the city coucil and confronted their landlord this past Friday. One of the ladies leading the panel had her apartment inspected and it was condemed. They had tried to get the landlord to do something to no avail. This got public notice. She is moving now. The landlord said, there was such a small turn out of people just means, there is only a small problem.
Here is a web site you can read concerning mold in homes
http://www.betterhealthusa.com/public/183.cfm
Keep pushing and take pictues of any mold you have in your home.
God Bless you Jenn, hope yo get some good results soon
K. Nana of 5
Alright to clear your mind let me give you some advice. NUMBER ONE** if you are unsure of the class of mold then don't go cleaning it. When my company goes in to remediate mold there are several steps. You must becareful because when mold is disturbed it does realse micotxins that will cause allergic reactions.(your cleaning) odds are when you are cleaning this mold you are spreading, unless you are using a different rag for each clean swipe of the area. The only tru way to check the mold levels of you house is to have an inspector take enviro readings and inspect the wall cavities. You are right about your landlord not painting it becausee that just prolongs the problem. You do need to send him a certified letter and maybe a couple. Go to the health dept. and file a case. And take plenty of pictures. The truth is that NO house is mold free. Most houses are just at safe levels just like the outside. Long term inhalation will cause rashes, lethargy, and increased asthma like symptoms. If you are noticing these just move and sue your landlord later. Most health problems form TRUE DEALDY MOLD are irreversable. I know its long but i hope this helps. Your landlord will lsiten soon enough. If you have any other questions give us a ____@____.com
Jenn,
This is a problem that must be taken care of and no you cannot clean it and get rid of it if it is black mold!! If your landlord refuses to take care of the problem call central inspection and talk to them! They made the landlord where I was living pull out the cinder blocks and replace them. If there is sheetrock, the mold can be behind it and it will have to be replaced as well! This is a very dangerous mold and you should not just ignore it!! My husband has health problems to start with and when my landlord refused to take care of the mold, I called Central Inspection, they came out took pictures and I had every right to move even though I had a lease! Please don't hesitate to seek help with this. You are welcome to email me if you have any questions that I can help you with! My husband was a contractor that is how I knew the law and who to call to make the home owner correct the problem!
L.
Mold is extremely dangerous. Please see this site for excellent information: http://www.mold-help.org/
And this site for further information on the toxic effects: http://www.mold-survivor.com/assoc.illness.html
Those "allergies" aren't allergies, they are the mucous membranes' reaction to mycotoxins. Exposure to these toxins can cause dangerous chronic diseases, cancer, even death. Please don't just try to treat this with allergy meds. The problem must be removed from the house.
