Mold can pose a major health risk, particularly in very damp areas or in older houses or apartment buildings. Many apartment complexes in high-mold areas are required to disclose information about the risks of mold to potential tenants. Even if you live in an unit that may not be exhibiting signs of mold damage, you may notice it in other areas of your building such as the basement, utility closets or other areas that are high in humidity or may be exposed to water damage. Not all types of mold are harmful. Mold is commonly found throughout our environment. However exposure to large amounts of certain types of mold can be harmful to even otherwise healthy individuals.
Molds are microscopic growths that feed on organic matter and reproduce through tiny spores. The spores are invisible to the eye and float through the air, creating potentially hazardous health conditions for anyone living in an area populated by molds. Spores are what allow molds to reproduce and spread to different areas of your home. Molds also produce allergens and irritants that can disturb the respiratory system and other parts of the body. The worst place that molds can grow, however, is inside wall cavities and flooring of our homes, wherever there may be cellulose materials they can feed on, such as wood, ceiling tiles, or plasterboard where there has been water damage. By the time that you may physically see a mold infestation, it may have spread to other parts of your home. This is very common if there has been a plumbing leak or an inadequate roof. Actually, any type of water damage can cause a mold problem. Many people are not aware of the dangers of indoor molds. Although not all molds are dangerous there are some that are highly hazardous to human health. Some of the most dangerous types of mold are Chaetomium and Stachybotris.
Beyond affecting the respiratory system (causing allergies asthma, or other ailments) due to the allergens and irritants that it produces, mold can negatively influence the vascular system (arteries and veins), digestive system, nervous system, urinary system, reproductive system, and the skin (molds can cause rashes or be responsible for common ailments like athlete’s foot and yeast infections). Particularly drastic ailments caused by severe or prolonged mold exposure can include internal bleeding, kidney or liver failure, and emphysema.
The degree to which mold toxins affect an individual depends on the current health of the individual. Individuals with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of mold. Respiratory and skin ailments are usually the major consequences of mold, but a variety of other issues can arise as well. Check lists of symptoms for possible signs that mold has aversely affected you, or consult your physician to see if mold might have caused your ailments. If mold has already had a negative impact on your health, it’s that much more important to remove it quickly, as its continued presence will likely only cause your condition to deteriorate. In addition, if you remove mold but allow the conditions favorable to its growth to continue, you’ll continue to suffer from your health problems.
Even if you can’t see mold, it may be lurking behind tiles, under floors, or behind walls. Possible signs of the presence of mold include stained ceilings or walls, strangely colored (black, brown, orange, pink, or green) speckles on walls or around grout or tiles, musty or earthy odors, cracked siding, swollen walls or floors, any type of ceiling or floor leak, poor ventilation, and more.
If you rent an apartment, when you moved in to your apartment, your landlord may have provided you with information about signs of mold and the associated health risks. Since mold does pose health problems, it is your landlord’s responsibility to help remove mold from your unit and assist in preventing its return. If you see or suspect mold your apartment, notify your landlord immediately and work with him or her to correct the problem. If your landlord fails to take action, alert local public health and safety officers and consider having your apartment inspected for mold risks.
Our firm can assist you if you are suffering health problems as a result of exposure to mold in your apartment. If you would like to talk to one of our experienced attorneys please call us at 314-731-7288 or email us at lmblumenthal@blumenthalfirm.com