Mold A Growing Concern

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Mold A Growing Concern

Complaints on the rise

Jun 19, 2008

WOWT - Omaha,NE*

Email Address: sixonline@...

http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/20554714.html

A Mold can go undetected in our homes and end up costing thousands

of dollars as well as costing us our health. The County

Health Department says mold is a growing concern.

It's a problem Meghan and her fiance Bo have been dealing with

since March when they found mold underneath the drywall in their new

home. It isn't the only mess they've had to deal with.

" We've all been sick, " says Meghan. " They just said take allergy

medicine right now and see if that helps, if it doesn't we're all

going to have to do mold tests on everybody. "

The County Health Department says Meghan's situation isn't

unusual. If there is mold, the health effects can be

widespread. " Aggravating allergies, respiratory problems, it's even

been identified as an asthma trigger, " says Doug with the

Environmental Health Division.

The Health Department is getting more calls from homeowners.

Inspectors say start by checking pipes, look for leaking water, but

remember mold can grow anywhere. " It favors areas that are porous,

such as wood, carpet, drywall, furniture, draperies, things like

that, " says .

What can you do if you find mold? Should you treat it yourself or

hire someone to have it taken care of? The health department says

use this general rule. If the area is greater than 10 square feet,

hire someone.

In Meghan's case, her entire basement is covered in mold so she'll

have to hire professionals, but for smaller problems the health

department says use bleach, but mix no more than one cup of bleach

in one cup of water.

Wear protective gear to keep the mold from causing you even more

health effects and dry out wet areas as quickly as possible. As a

general rule, if your carpet or other wet areas don't dry out in 72

hours, it's a loss.

Meghan says since she discovered the damage, they've managed to

waterproof their home and keep the basement dry.

If you think you have found mold in your home, call the health

department at 444-7471. Inspectors can use moisture meters to check

any trouble spots you are concerned about.