Prevalence

Mold is everywhere.

Inside, outside, in the air, and on many surfaces – mold grows wherever there is moisture. WHO estimates indoor dampness or mold affects 50% of houses in the United States, with areas such as river valleys and coastal areas experiencing much more severe conditions than the national average. The amount of water on or in materials is the most significant trigger of mold growth, and high moisture and relative humidity are necessary for optimal growth.

Chapel Hill gets on average 47 inches of rainfall per year, which is higher than the national average of 39 inches. The Triangle (Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill) experiences average yearly humidity rates of 70%, with peak humidity in the mornings averaging 85%. Chapel Hill’s warm, humid climate creates a perfect environment for indoor mold growth, and the local news station, WRAL, reports mold and mildew are a common complaint.

Mold can enter homes and buildings through open doorways, windows, vents, HVAC systems, or by attaching itself to clothing, shoes, bags, and pets. Leaks in roofs, windows, and pipes can provide moisture for mold growth. Mold grows well on paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, and wood products, and can also grow in dust, paint, wallpaper, carpet, drywall, and fabric.

Human Health Effects

Exposure to mold can affect human health in a variety of ways, from no effects at all to serious lung infections. For healthy people, exposure can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, and skin irritation. People with certain health conditions are at increased risk of severe symptoms including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, intensified asthma symptoms, and serious lung infections. WHO’s Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality cites one study that found building dampness and mold to be “associated with approximately 30-50% increases in a variety of respiratory and asthma-related health outcomes.” Another study attributed 21% of asthma cases in the United States to dampness and mold in houses.

Mold in Rental Properties

Rental properties are no exception to the high occurrence of mold, and renters can be at the mercy of the landlords when dealing with potential or existing mold. Two renters in the Triangle area found mold in their rental house and after a lot of prodding their landlords, had to move out and ultimately filed a lawsuit against their landlords. 48% of UNC students live in off-campus housing, and are vulnerable to mold growth and exposure. Read through some of our strategies for mold prevention and remediation to reduce your risk of mold and its negative health effects.

Resources

100 Pictures of mold in homes. Retrieved April 23, 2017, from http://www.mold-answers.com/pictures-of-mold.html#gallery[pageGallery]/8/

Average Weather in Chapel Hill. Weather Spark. Retrieved April 23, 2017, from https://weatherspark.com/y/19538/Average-Weather-in-Chapel-Hill-North-Carolina-United-States

Facts about Mold and Dampness. (2014, June 17). Retrieved April 22, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/mold/dampness_facts.htm

Most Humid Cities in the United States. CurrentResults.com, L. O. Retrieved April 22, 2017, from https://www.currentresults.com/Weather-Extremes/US/most-humid-cities.php

Renters have little recourse but to record problems with mold. (2016, February 4). WRAL. Retrieved April 22, 2017, from http://www.wral.com/rental-mold/15306657/

University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill. US News and World Report. Retrieved April 22, 2017, from https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/unc-2974/student-life

WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality. (2009) Retrieved April 22, 2017 from: http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/43325/E92645.pdf