Toxic Mold Law

Toxic
mold problems in homes and commercial buildings have dramatically increased in
recent years. Many of these problems result in legal claims. Experts and
lawyers who handle mold-related claims give various reasons for this increase
— including the increased emphasis on making buildings airtight; quick
construction; faulty building techniques and materials; and increasingly
complex building designs.

While
many people have heard of “black mold,” in fact there are a variety
of strains that can cause ill health effects to residents and occupants in
homes, businesses, and places of employment. If you feel that you have been
exposed to toxic mold in your home or place of business, you may wish to
contact an attorney or law firm specializing in mold- related claims, to talk
about your situation and protect your legal rights. Following is an overview
discussion of toxic mold.

What Causes Toxic Mold in Homes and Buildings?

Mold
spores are everywhere in the natural environment. They enter homes and
buildings through windows, open doors, pets, or attached to people. Once the
spore is in the home or building it must have abundant moisture, a food source,
and a certain temperature range in order to grow.

Moisture
infiltration is the main cause of building mold. Moisture may come from a wide
variety of sources. Many modern homes and buildings are very airtight. This is
great for efficiency, but not so great for allowing the structure to dry. For
example, once moisture gets in through a pipe leak, faulty windows, roof leaks,
or other sources, the water cannot evaporate. Mold is drawn to this moisture,
and may grow on wet materials such as wood, insulation, ceiling tiles, and
carpeting.

Mold – Warning Signs

There
are a variety of warning signs that should lead a person to investigate a home
or commercial building for potential mold infestation. The earlier an
investigation takes place, the better the possibility that a home or building
owner can reduce possible damages and adverse health effects caused by mold
exposure.

Following
are some of warning signs that may indicate the presence of dangerous mold:

Visible mold
growth
Discoloration or
water stains on internally facing walls or ceilings
Discoloration or
water stains on externally facing walls
Areas of
standing water or condensation on floors, walls, or window sills
“Musty”
odor

Types of Mold

There
are many types of mold that may occur in homes and office buildings — some
sources say that there are over 100,000 different species. Some mold species are
considered harmless, while others can cause potentially serious adverse health
effects.

The
most common mold types found in homes and offices are:

Cladosporium
Penicillium
Aspergillus
Alternaria
Stachybotrys
atra

Why is Mold Harmful to Humans?

Certain
molds produce volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) or toxins as
byproducts of their metabolism. VOCs generally evaporate at room temperature.
In fact, when a person smells a “musty” odor, he or she is actually
smelling the volatile organic compounds. Some VOCs produce adverse health
effects in certain predisposed individuals. In contrast to VOCs, toxins do not
evaporate easily, and some are considered very dangerous to humans. Regardless
of whether a particular strain of mold produces VOCs or toxins, all molds
should be considered potential health risks, and the presence of mold should
lead to investigation, cleaning, and/or removal.

Illnesses Caused by Mold Exposure

Some
of the most common illnesses associated with mold exposure are: