March 2000
Wet Basements Linked To Toxic Mold
Concerned about your wet basement? You ought to be. A toxic
mold has been attributed to nine infant deaths in Cleveland, Ohio.
The fungi Stachybotrys atra (S. atra), which are
found in wet buildings, have been
identified as being responsible for these deaths and serious health problems in other areas of the U.S.
According to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, it is now understood that the principal biology
responsible for the health problems in wet buildings are fungi rather than
bacteria or viruses. And perhaps the most hazardous of the toxic fungi
found in wet buildings is Stachybotrys atra.
Stachybotrys atra is not widely found, but it
has been studied for the last 20 years. It is a greenish-black fungus
that can grow on materials with a high cellulose and low nitrogen content,
such as fiberboard, gypsum board, dust and lint. The prevalence of
Stachybotrys atra contamination in indoor environments is unknown.
Learn more about what you can do to control surface
water to help eliminate your wet basement concern.
Other stories in this month's report:
