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Mold: The Next Asbestos?

INTRODUCTION Public awareness and concern over the potential health effects associated with mold contamination in buildings has increased significantly in recent years. Available evidence suggests a direct link between exposure to certain types of mold and adverse health effects, the most common of which are allergic reactions, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rashes. The health effects can be more severe in cases involving heavy exposures to certain molds or when exposure involves susceptible populations, such as the elderly or individuals with a suppressed immune system. Presently, there are no regulatory standards that specify what level of mold exposure is “safe”, and there are no regulations to ensure that cleanups are performed in a safe and consistent manner. Nevertheless, in October 2001 California became the first state to pass legislation to develop standards for mold exposure. The bill also requires landlords and homeowners to disclose the presence of toxic mold when buildings are sold. Although standards are not yet available, federal and state agencies have developed substantive guidance to assist the public in addressing mold contamination in buildings. This article presents an overview of mold, including a discussion of the factors that control mold growth, the potential health effects from mold exposure, procedures for assessing the presence of mold in a building, and the proper removal of mold-contaminated materials from buildings.