Video - Excessive Rain Brings Increase In Mold

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Excessive Rain Brings Increase In Mold

WLKY - Louisville,KY*

May 19, 2008

http://www.wlky.com/news/16332875/detail.html

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Louisville area has been saturated with rain

this year, and at times, some neighborhoods flooded. All the

moisture has increased the mold threat.

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Last month, the Kentucky Department of Public Health issued a mold

advisory.

" Certainly the conditions are more contusive to the growth of mold

because of the amount of rain we are getting, " said Delius,

acting director of the Kentucky Department of Public Health.

It doesn't take long for mold to take off. A home in Spencer County

was a prime example.

" As you can see here, we have black mold, red mold, green mold, a

lot of dangerous molds, " mold inspector Fuller explained. " A

lot of dangerous molds and these molds, because the water barely

touched the drywall here, has wicked up the wall. "

The home, which is in foreclosure, flooded this spring. The carpet

was pulled up, but the basement wasn't dried out. Now, mold can be

found on nearly every wall and it's creeping toward the ceiling.

What you can't see on the outside of the drywall can be detected by

thermal imaging cameras.

Fuller, who's with Clean Air Plus, took air and swab samples from

the house. He said they indicated dangerous levels of mold spores.

Dr. Stuart White is with Kentuckiana Allergy. He is seeing more

patients than a year ago.

" In my experience, mold allergies tend to cause more congestion and

chronic drainage as opposed to the typical hay fever symptoms of

itching and sneezing, " said White.

Brent knows the symptoms all to well. The home he's buying in

eastern Jefferson County had been empty for 18 months. He tried

living here before mold was abated and drywall replaced.

" I tried to move in to the property before it was abated and I

couldn't even sleep, " he said.

A leaking roof created his problems. The once mold-covered drywall

and ceiling in the stairway have been replaced. So has a bathroom

closet.

White warns mold exposure can have long-term effects.

" There's some evidence that chronic asthma caused by mold or

allergies can gradually cause loss of lung function, " he said.

" Certainly if you get the right environment, moisture from flood

saturation, the drywall and carpet, furniture and the warming

temperatures this time of the year, you can certainly have mold

growth, " Delius said.

And it's not just rain that can cause the problem. Leaking plumbing

can do the same. There is no certification required for mold

contractors in Kentucky, so state officials urge you to do your

homework when searching for someone reputable.

had it done to assure a safe environment for himself and his

two children.

" Just the smell was completely different once they left the home and

did the treatment, " he said. " It was like fresh air again. "