Fighting Mold, Allergies in Your Home
Content Edited by Pamela Appea for KPTM-Fox 42
Originally posted March 19, 2003
With spring right around the corner, allergy sufferers are bracing for a tolerable season.
But now, there could be another culprit right under your nose—mold in your home.
Even if your house looks clean, as long as your home comes in contact with moisture, it’s a candidate for mold.
And sometimes, those levels could be high enough to trigger allergies and even asthma attacks.
“I know that when I’m around it, it really bothers me and I try to stay away from it,” said Rhonda Dryden, an allergy sufferer.
That ‘it’ – is mold.
According to a study out of the University of Arizona, mold can be found in places you never really think of—like front doors and window sills.
In a number of tested homes, refrigerator seals were problematic. But how much is too much?
“Usually when it becomes a health concern is when it’s widespread, greater than 100 square feet of mold growth. I mean, significant mold growth where you walk in and where the normal person could walk in and say, wow there’s a problem here,” said Bob Arritt, an industrial hygiene director.
When specialists inspect homes for mold, this air test takes an actual sample from the room. The spores collect on the dish and then in about a week, you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
“Mold is opportunistic. I mean there are certain types of mold that can basically live anywhere,” Arrit emphasized.
Arrit adds, “The longer you ignore the problem, the better chance you’ll have a mold issue.
Mold has become such a liability that some insurance companies have stated they’ll only cover it if you ask for it. Experts say it is normal to have mold issues in your home. But instead of taking the news personally, much more rides on the structural integrity of your home.
