Mold Health Risks
Molds are small organisms found almost everywhere, inside and outside, including on plants, foods and dry leaves. Molds are beneficial to the environment and are needed to break down dead material. Very tiny and lightweight, mold spores travel easily through the air. When molds are present in large numbers, they may cause allergic symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.
Exposure to a large number of mold spores may cause allergic symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, headache, and fatigue. Mold spores can also trigger asthma, for more information on controlling asthma, visit the RIDOH Asthma Control Program. Repeated exposure to mold can increase a person’s sensitivity, causing more severe allergic reactions. These problems are worse indoors, where mold causes indoor air quality problems. Certain molds, such as Stachybotrys and Aspergillus, can produce toxins called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Exposure to mycotoxins can cause more serious illness. People are more likely to experience allergy symptoms from mold than serious illnesses caused by mycotoxins.
Molds typically found in the home do not cause cancer, stroke, or chronic disease. Mold affects people in different ways, so testing will not tell you if someone will get sick. Regardless of the type or quantity of mold, it should always be removed.
Populations at Risk
People who live or work in buildings that are exposed to moisture and not adequately ventilated are more at risk of illnesses causes by mold. Populations at particular risk include: infants and children, elderly persons, immune compromised patients and people with existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies and asthma.
What you should do
Check for Mold
Testing for molds is very difficult and expensive and cannot determine whether health effects will occur. Mold is normally found outdoors and counts fluctuate from day to day depending on the season. Due to the uncertainties associated with testing for molds, it is not recommended in most cases. If you can see or smell mold, it needs to be cleaned up.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have found that thorough visual inspections or detecting problem areas by musty odors are more reliable than air sampling for mold. View resources and educational materials from the CDC and NIOSH, that help people inspect for and cleaning up mold.
Mold becomes a problem when it lands in a moist environment where it can grow. Check your home for sources of moisture. Sources of moisture in your home may include: flooding, damp basement or crawl space, leaky roof, leaky plumbing, humidifiers, poorly ventilated areas, and/or clothes dryer vented indoors.
Prevent Mold from Growing Back
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas, such as the basement
- Fix leaks in the roof, walls, windows, or pipes
- Ventilate bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas
- Vent clothes dryer to the outside
- Use mold-resistant paint
- Dry areas that are wet or have been flooded within 24 to 48 hours, throw out anything that cannot be completely dried
Remove Mold
If you can see or smell mold, it is present and must be cleaned up. You also need to fix the problem causing the mold to prevent it from growing again. It is important to make sure that sources of moisture are eliminated before mold is cleaned up. If this is not done, the mold will grow again. If an area of mold growth is larger than 10 square feet (3 feet x 3 feet), it is recommended that a contractor with experience in mold remediation clean up the area. If the area is less than 10 square feet, in most cases you can do the job yourself. Mold can be effectively cleaned using soap and warm water, or bleach. For those sensitive to the strong odor of bleach, a hydrogen peroxide-based cleaner or other oxidizing agents can be used as an alternative. Additionally, there are alkylated ammonium chloride salt solutions available, which can also help in mold cleanup. Learn more about mold clean up in your home. Also, using HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) purifiers is highly effective, as they capture up to 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Since mold spores range from 2 to 100 microns, HEPA purifiers are particularly efficient in trapping these particles and improving air quality.
Regulatory Limitations
There are no statutes or regulations in Rhode Island that give RIDOH the authority to intervene in disputes about mold. RIDOH can provide education and access to resources about the potential health effects, mold clean up, and mold growth and prevention. Mold is often caused by water damage or leaking. These issues are regulated at the local level by individual municipalities – usually the Office of the Building Inspector and/or Code Enforcement in your city or town.
Tenants concerned about exposure to mold in their rental properties should consult the Rhode Island Landlord Tenant Handbook to understand their rights.