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Is Your Home Making You Sick? Mold May Be the Culprit

Oct 18, 2004

Is Your Home Making You Sick?
Mold May Be the Culprit

Jeffrey C. May
May Indoor Air Investigations, LLC

Special from Bottom Line/Personal


n 2002, television personality Ed McMahon filed a $20 million lawsuit because he believed a botched repair of a broken water pipe caused mold to infest his Los Angeles home, making him and his family ill and killing his dog. He settled the suit for $7 million.

In 2002, US insurers paid out $3 billion for mold-related claims, more than double the $1.4 billion in 2001.

Though some doctors question whether molds cause all the ills attributed to them, molds do produce allergens, substances that trigger allergic reactions. People who are sensitive to molds may experience a stuffy nose, sneezing, headache or other allergy symptoms. Under certain conditions, some molds, especially aspergillus and stachybotrys, may produce toxins that, in high concentrations, can cause skin irritation or respiratory problems and even increase the risk of cancer.

Signs of dangerous mold: Musty smell... discolored areas on walls... black spots in damp places.

MINIMIZING MOLD

Mold can grow anywhere there's moisture -- in bathrooms and basements, under carpets and on or in appliances. The key to minimizing mold is preventing leaks and controlling indoor relative humidity (RH). Keep RH below 65% upstairs and 50% in the basement, especially if your basement is finished. You can monitor RH with a hygrometer, available at hardware stores for less than $50. I suggest putting one near the bedrooms and one in the basement.

To keep humidity down, use a dehumidifier. In dry weather, open windows and doors. Promptly repair any leaks in sinks, showers, toilets, air conditioners, etc. When renovating, let plaster and concrete dry before applying paint or wallpaper or laying down carpet.

Warning: For some people, disturbing mold and breathing or touching the spores can trigger severe reactions. Wear goggles, gloves and a face mask rated N95 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). You can buy these items at any hardware store. Make sure the mask has two straps. Single-strap models don't fit tightly enough to block airborne mold spores.

Below are common household trouble spots and what to do. In general, on nonporous surfaces (ceramic tile, vinyl, etc.), you can safely clean moldy areas with detergent or a bleach solution (three-quarters of a cup of bleach to one gallon of water). If the moldy area is large or on a porous surface, such as bare wood, you may need to call a contractor who has experience in mold removal.

CARPET

Molds can grow in dust, especially in carpets on concrete basement floors. Vacuum frequently. Use a vacuum that has a high-efficiency particle arrestor (HEPA) filter. Pay special attention to areas where carpets meet exterior walls, a common site for mold growth. If a carpet is wet for more than 24 hours, depending on the temperature, it may have to be discarded. Look for signs of mold.

AIR CONDITIONERS AND
HEATING SYSTEMS

To keep a central heating and cooling system clean, use a pleated media filter, not a fiberglass one. A moldy system should be cleaned by a professional.

If a window air conditioner gets moldy, it must be removed from its case for a thorough cleaning.

Regularly vacuum dust from baseboard heaters. Many people experience winter mold allergies when the heat comes on and disperses the spores.

BATHROOMS

Mold that grows on tiles or grout usually is harmless. Wipe it off with a mild bleach solution or a commercial tile cleaner. Periodically inspect grout for cracks, and repair them immediately. Even a hairline crack can allow water to leak through the wall and encourage harmful mold growth where you can't see it. Remove moldy wallpaper.

REFRIGERATORS

The water line of an automatic icemaker may have a slow leak that sets the stage for mold growth. Move the refrigerator occasionally to check for dampness. Call a repairman if there's even a hint of moisture.

The drip tray underneath a frost-free refrigerator is another problem area because moisture, dust and bits of food collect there, creating a rich environment for mold. Clean the drip tray several times a year with bleach and water. Add a few tablespoons of salt to the tray to discourage mold development.

Clean refrigerator coils yearly to remove dust. Also clean the gaskets around the doors to remove food particles.

CLOTHES DRYERS

The accumulation of lint and moisture is a natural haven for mold. The dryer vent hose should be short enough to lead directly from the dryer to the wall. Long vent hoses that travel though cold attics or garages may allow air to cool, moisture to condense -- and mold to grow.

Don't use devices that vent warm air from the dryer into the house. The heat can lower energy bills, but one load of laundry vents several pounds of moisture into the air. This moisture can condense in the attic and cause a mold problem.

SINKS

Occasionally move items stored under the sink to check for dampness. If you have a sink sprayer, check it for leaks. Water often runs down the hose and into the cabinet beneath.

When cleaning a sink, scrub overflow holes and the rim around the drain with a mild bleach solution.

FURNITURE

Mold can be found on unfinished wood surfaces, such as the back of a dresser. If you notice a musty smell or suffer from allergy-like symptoms, take furniture outside and wipe unfinished surfaces with rubbing alcohol. Then apply a layer of shellac to seal in mold spores and prevent new mold from growing.

Upholstered furniture that is moldy must be reupholstered or discarded.

CARS

If your car has an earthy odor, take it for service to have the system cleaned and checked for leaks.

Also, inspect carpets or mats for dampness. Water could be getting in through defective window or trunk seals.

If there is mold on vinyl or leather upholstery, it usually can be washed off with a bleach solution. If fabric gets moldy, it may need to be replaced. Consult a mold specialist.

CLOTHING

Clothing with a musty smell should be washed and aired in the sun until the smell is gone.

Closets have limited circulation, which is ideal for mold growth. Sweep or vacuum closet floors as part of your cleaning routine. Open doors periodically to allow air to circulate. If you have a walk-in closet that seems damp, get a dehumidifier just for that space.

GETTING HELP

If mold keeps coming back, hire a mold investigator to find out why. If it covers a large area, hire a mold abatement specialist for the cleanup. You may be advised to move out until the cleanup is completed. Mold specialists are listed in the Yellow Pages. Call the firm's references, and check its complaint record with the Better Business Bureau (703-276-0100. www.bbb.org). Costs for professional help range from a few hundred dollars for an inspection to thousands to treat a large area.


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Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Jeffrey C. May, president of May Indoor Air Investigations, LLC, which conducts indoor environmental surveys of homes, schools and offices, Cambridge, Massachusetts. www.mayindoorair.com

A nationally recognized expert on indoor air quality, he is coauthor of The Mold Survival Guide: For Your Home and for Your Health and My House Is Killing Me! (both from Johns Hopkins University Press).