Renters need to check for mold, mildew in property

[Guest guest]

Renters need to check for mold, mildew in property

People afflicted with asthma or allergies are at risk for a number

of illnesses.

St. sburg Times - St. sburg,FL*

By BRANDI A. GROSS, Neighborhood News Bureau

Published August 12, 2007

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/08/12/Neighborhoodtimes/Renters_need_to_c

heck.shtml

Jodie Baker, 25, struggles to tend for her ill son while her other

two sick children beg for attention at her feet.

" They have had some kind of ongoing stomach virus that has come and

gone for the past three months, vomiting and fevers, " she said.

Baker said her children started getting sick about two weeks after

she moved into her new Midtown apartment.

" All three of my children are asthmatic, " Baker said. " I've had them

out of day care for three weeks. "

While the ailments of the kids might not be directly attributable to

possible unhealthy conditions in the apartment, renters should,

however, be aware of possible health hazards that can come with new

leases, said Jeannine Mallory, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County

Health Department.

Renters should be extra cautious before signing a lease because they

do not benefit from home inspections like potential homeowners do.

" Mold and dust and mildew are really big allergy and asthma

triggers, " Mallory said. " You can inspect the property before you

move in with an eye towards any health issues that you might have. "

Mold and mildew can cause severe irritation, said Dr. Raquelle

, allergy specialist. For someone with these sensitivities,

mold can cause congestion, postnasal congestion, facial pressure,

chest tightness and shortness of breath.

But for a person unaffected by allergies or asthma, there is no

cause for alarm.

" Unless you have a hypersensitivity reaction nothing has been proven

to be disease causing, " said. " There has not been a proven

cause and effect in well-designed trials to my best knowledge. "

For those afflicted with asthma or mold allergies, the Pinellas

County Health Department recommends checking a property thoroughly

before moving in for broken gutters, and cracks or holes in the

walls. Keep an eye out for areas where mold could grow.

While inside the dwelling, do a " sniff test. " If you detect a " dirty

socks " smell or musty odor, this may be a sign of mold. If the air

handler is inside the house or apartment, look at the cooling coils,

which are just behind the filter. The coils look something like a

car radiator with fins. If there is material between the fins, it

could be mold.

The Health Department also suggests looking at the ceilings and

walls in bathrooms and utility closets for any recent patches.

This could be an indication of a leak. Look for stains in ceilings

and walls. Check for tight-fitting windows and doors. Also, inspect

for cracked tile grout around showers and tubs. If there are cracks,

water can leak inside the wall and cause mold growth.

If a renter suspects he has mold after moving in, the Pinellas

County Health Department can still perform an inspection of the home

for $75.

But mold is not the only concern.

Renters looking to lease a home built prior to 1978 should ask if

there is any lead paint remaining, said Nena Gang, executive vice

president of the Bay Area Apartment Association.

Landlords who own these older properties are required by law to give

the client a form detailing the status of lead paint.

Landlords have three options on the form: They can say that they

don't know if there is any lead paint, that there is lead paint and

document where it has been found, or that there is no lead paint and

that tests have been performed, Gang said.

Renters like Baker often find they need to rent apartments quickly.

But taking the time to check for signs of trouble before moving in

could greatly reduce future problems.

Baker said she wished she had known that months ago.

" I would have investigated further, " Baker said. " This is the health

of my children. "

A. Gross is a reporter for the Neighborhood News Bureau, a

program of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the

University of South Florida St. sburg. She can be reached at

(727) 327-2129.

[Guest guest]

The worst mold problems are inside of walls, attics, basements and

crawlspaces attached to living spaces..

and they usually don't lend themselves to detction in quick visual

inspections.

I wonder what $75 buys people?

Probably not too much..

It seems to me that health departments should provide this service for

free.. after all we pay their salaries.. $75 is a lot of money to most

working people.. If you are looking at apartments, you already have to pay

to apply and for a 'credit check'.

what a mess...