Unhealthy mold easily takes hold in Tennessee homes

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Thursday, 09/27/07

Unhealthy mold easily takes hold in Tennessee homes

Problematic fungus can cause illnesses

The Tennessean - Nashville,TN*

By CLAUDIA PINTO

Staff Writer

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070927/NEWS07/709270394/1024/NEWS

was disgusted by the black mold that grew on the wall

and ceiling of her home, but she had no idea it caused her frequent

headaches, sinus infections and bouts of bronchitis.

The Madison woman said her health problems began soon after she

moved into her duplex four years ago. She tested positive for mold

allergies last month.

" It's been pretty bad, " said. " I'm so fatigued. I don't get

a good night's rest because I'm coughing and so stuffed up that I

can't breathe. "

Dr. Owen, clinical director of Allergy Care of Cool Springs,

said mold is a big problem in Tennessee because the humid climate

provides an ideal environment for mold to grow. He said people who

experience allergic reactions will continue to do so until the mold

is removed from the home.

Eliminating mold can be challenging. The Metro Health Department

receives roughly 25 calls a month from people who want guidance on

how to rid their homes of the fungus.

Dr. Brent Hager, director of the Metro Health Department's

environmental health services, said too much humidity, leaky pipes

and flooding are common culprits of indoor mold.

" If you see mold growing, you have a water source that's allowing

that mold to grow, " Hager said.

Cleaning isn't sufficient

Just cleaning the mold isn't going to solve the problem because it

will grow back, Hager said. People need to fix whatever is causing

it to form in the first place.

Hager said mold removal and repairs should be done by a licensed

professional. Owen agrees. He said interacting with mold will only

aggravate people's symptoms.

Owen said there are thousands of molds, any of which can cause

problems for people with allergies and asthma.

Symptoms can vary

Not everyone is affected by mold, and some people experience more

severe symptoms than others. Symptoms can range from a stuffed nose

to serious respiratory problems.

Common side effects include sinus problems, fatigue, headache,

nosebleeds, skin rash, and a cough that doesn't go away.

" If you start to experience symptoms that seem to improve when

you're away from home, you should have your house checked, " Owen

said.

said she wished she made the connection between the mold in

her home and her health problems earlier. In addition to feeling

bad, she estimates that she's spent more than $1,000 on doctor's

visits, inhalers and medications during the past four years. She

plans to move.

" I never got sick or anything before I moved here, " she said.