Advisory Report

June 2001

Spotlight on Mold: Tips to Protect Your Home
A recent court ruling in Texas awarded a family $32 million after finding that the family's insurance company mishandled the homeowner's claim for black mold damage.  This ruling has merely increased public awareness of indoor mold contamination.  What can you do to help protect your home from mold invasion?

The landmark ruling concluded that Farmers Insurance Exchange committed fraud when it failed to adequately and swiftly cover repairs for a water leak, which allowed toxic mold--stachybotrys--to spread throughout the 22-room mansion and cause severe health problems.

Mold, even though it's been around for thousands of years, is a relatively new issue of concern in residential housing.  In fact, the mold issue is so new that the plaintiff's lawyers in the aforementioned case could not introduce medical testimony on the health effects of mold because a Texas Supreme Court decision mandates a level of scientific proof that has not yet been reached.

Mold will likely never disappear altogether, but there are precautionary steps that can be taken to minimize your exposure.  Here are a few tips to help prevent mold from taking over your house and health:

• Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely.  Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be replaced if they are contaminated with mold.

• Fix leaky plumbing or sources of exterior water penetration promptly.

• Keep drip pans in your air conditioner, refrigerator and dehumidifier clean and dry.

• Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking or using the dishwasher.

• Vent clothes dryers to the outside.

• Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity.  Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers, which are available at local hardware stores.

• Look behind cabinets or pictures on cold outside walls, where condensation can occur. Keep furniture away from outside walls.

• Check around air handling units (air conditioners, furnaces) for stagnant water. Keep these units serviced with regular cleaning of ducts and air filters.

For more information about stachybotrys, take a look at the mold information on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Web site, 

http://www.epa.gov/appcdwww/iemb/child.htm. 

Other stories in this month's report:

Visit the Advisory Report Archives