Experts say mold is growing worry but not a serious health threat

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Experts say mold is growing worry but not a serious health threat

By J. Varnavas / Staff Writer

Thursday, October 17, 2002

Concerns regarding mold and mildew have become widespread in recent months.

Within the past two weeks, the Beverly Board of Health and the state

Department of Public Health responded to reports of hazardous mold infecting

Folly Hill Apartments off Route 128. Three Folly Hill residents were offered

alternate housing while the matter was remedied.

Wensley, director of the Department of Public Health's division of

community sanitation, inspected six Folly Hill apartments. In some spots,

piles of clothing were eaten away by the mildew, Health Director Bill Burke

said.

The Board of Health enforces state laws on sanitary living conditions.

According to Burke, Massachusetts has no regulations related to the presence

of mold.

" Our regulations don't specifically say 'mold' but if there's a problem,

people can call us, " Burke said.

This isn't the first time Burke has heard of such moldy situations. He

harbors no hope that it will be the last mention of them, either.

" Mold is getting the media's attention, now. For better or worse, people are

more aware of it, " said Burke.

In a report released last week, Wensley recommended installing a vapor

barrier to prevent ground moisture from penetrating the apartments, and

installing doors with ventilation slats in the bathroom and closets. Wensley

said the moisture could come from steam from cooking, showers or laundry.

" Have you ever cooked fish and a few days later, you open a cupboard to

discover the lingering smell? That's similar here. There's moisture in the

air or a leak in the plumbing somewhere that gets trapped. Mold forms and

suddenly there's a problem, " said Burke.

Although Folly Hill residents complained of asthma attacks, bloody noses,

coughing fits and more, Wensley and Burke won't call the mold a health

hazard.

Some mold spores do produce a " micro-toxin, " Burke said, but " people with

allergies contribute to that, just like pollen. Some people suffer from rag

weed allergies, some are allergic to mold spores. It's an allergen, just

like a pollen or anything else. "

Dr. MacLean, an allergy specialist associated with Beverly Hospital,

agrees.

" There's no question that mold allergies cause people problems, " MacLean

said. " There has been such a media hype which stirs people's concerns. Not

to minimize the importance of those suffering from this allergy but it is

similar to those who suffer from other allergies such as hay fever or cat

allergies. "

There are some remedies to a moldy situation, said MacLean.

" The basic principle is to eliminate the moisture. We know that mold needs

water to exist. Eliminate the water, eliminate the mold, " MacLean said.

To prevent mold, Burke recommends: frequent cleaning of trouble spots such

as bathrooms and kitchens; calling the landlord quickly when problems occur;

and homeowners making rapid repairs when necessary.

MacLean also suggested using dehumidifiers, cleaning trouble spots with

diluted bleach or other chemical agent, or contacting an allergy specialist

for more information.

" Mold is secondary, " said Burke. " You have to fix the problem that leads to

the mold. "