Mold Sparks Fear in Homeowners; Experts Uncertain about Serious Dangers

In recent months, several media outlets have reported about the prevalence of toxic molds in residential homes, hiding behind walls, in the closet, under floors. For example, both The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal recently ran lengthy exposes on a spectrum of issues related to household molds - from health dangers to insurance battles over covering mold-related damage. On the air, ABC News, among others, also dedicated considerable coverage to the issue.

While these alarming stories have made their way to newspapers and newscasts across the country, many experts paint a somewhat different picture of mold. Health officials advise residents to make a concerted effort to prevent and control mold in and around the home because of the health implications that result from coming into contact with molds. However, experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and elsewhere also note that there is no scientific evidence suggesting that the health risks associated with mold should be cause for panic.

What are Molds?

Molds are microscopic fungi found both indoors and out, which multiply when tiny airborne seeds, or mold "spores," land on moist surfaces. Molds come in literally thousands of shapes and sizes. Often recognizable in colors ranging from white, orange, green and black and generally detectable by a strong musty odor - mold is commonly found in attics, basements, closets, bathrooms, refrigerators, behind walls and other dark areas where there may be a build-up of moisture.

Effects of Mold

In addition to damaging furnishings, molds can trigger an immunity response among vulnerable populations, particularly those commonly susceptible to pollen and dust allergies, individuals with compromised immune systems and those with underlying lung disease. Common airborne molds found indoors include Alternaria, Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus, all of which may cause allergic reactions, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Some molds, such as the greenish-black Stachybotrys chartarum, have the potential to produce toxic chemicals, or myotoxins, which can induce more serious symptoms, including coughing, nasal stuffiness, irritated eyes and throat, skin rashes and diarrhea, notes the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

Molds also can cause serious conditions such as respiratory infections in certain people - and often in hospital settings, according to the CDC. In fact, nine percent of hospital-acquired infections are the result of mold. Citing a 1993 report by the Institute of Medicine, the CDC cautions that diseases such as allergic conjunctivitis and allergic asthma have been connected with airborne mold allergens.

Alarmingly, Dr. Stephen Redd, Chief of the CDC's Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, notes that cancer also has been associated with consuming foods contaminated by mold. In Congressional testimony this summer, Dr. Redd stated, "Two mold-produced toxins - aflatoxins and achratoxin A - have been classified by the National Toxicology Program as human carcinogens. Chronic ingestion of these toxins from contaminated foods has been associated with liver and kidney tumors in animals and people."

But at the same time, Dr. Redd cautions, "Linkages between indoor airborne exposures to molds and other health effects, such as bleeding from the lung or memory loss, have not yet been scientifically substantiated."

To Dr. Redd's latter point, Christopher Wanjek, a freelance science journalist, reported in The Washington Post on September 17, 2002:

"The impression that toxin-producing molds are rampant and more virulent than ordinary molds - an impression created by some news reports and on the Internet, often on sites operated by companies that sell mold tests, cleanup systems or legal services - is not supported by evidence. In fact, according to those who have studied the issue, there is little conclusive evidence that mold toxins in the home or office can cause serious harm to humans."

Individuals have different levels of tolerance for mold and mold allergens, making it difficult for regulators to set specific standards for acceptable amounts of mold in a given building or home.

For many homeowners, dealing with mold is more than a health issue - it becomes a matter of cost. According to Melinda Ballard, President of Policyholders of America (an association of homeowners), many insurers, most notably in Texas, have stopped covering mold-related damage. Widespread cases - and fears induced by the media - of toxic molds such as Stachybotrys are partly to blame. To prevent being inundated with claims from worried homeowners, many insurance companies have either placed restrictions on the types of claims they honor, increased premiums significantly among regions where mold is most prevalent, or have even dropped large numbers of policyholders. The result, in places like Texas, is a battle between outraged homeowners and apprehensive insurers, with politicians becoming embroiled in the ongoing debate.

Tips for Homeowners

Controlling moisture is paramount to prevent the growth of molds. Wherever there is moisture, mold can thrive. If you discover an area where mold is growing in your home, experts recommend a thorough cleaning to both kill and remove the mold (according to the EPA, dead mold also can cause allergies in some individuals, so it must be removed as well). The underlying cause of the moisture must be located and fixed to prevent future mold growth.

According to the AAFA and AAAAI, always use caution when removing or cleaning mold in the home. Disturbing the mold can send a torrent of irritating spores into the air and inhaling the particles can induce allergies or more serious reactions. The Environmental Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Health offers several useful clean-up and removal tips (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/mold/). A solution of ¼ to ½ cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water can be applied, then rinsed thoroughly and dried. Precautions, such as protective apparel, always should be taken when handling bleach so that it does not come into contact with skin, face or eyes. If you find mold on carpets, insulation or wallboards, or it is not possible to thoroughly clean the area, the best solution may be removal and replacement.

Consulting with an experienced contractor may be advisable depending on the circumstances, according to the EPA's "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture and Your Home." Among the other tips the agency offers:

• Keep indoor humidity low. Experts recommend a range between 30 - 60 percent relative humidity.
• When water leaks or spills occur indoors, take action immediately. Generally, it takes 24-48 hours before mold will begin growing, so the faster the area is cleaned with bleach and the problem fixed, the better.
• Regularly repair and clean roof gutters.
• Keep air-conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines flowing properly.
• Increase ventilation and air temperature to prevent condensation.

For more information about the effects of mold and prevention, please visit:

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/images/moldguide.pdf

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: http://www.aaaai.org/patients/allergic_conditions/molds.stm

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America:
http://www.aafa.org/templ/display.cfm?id=193&sub=232