Healthy in Houston: Is household mold affecting your health?
Credit to: Vince Sherry
www.news24houston.com
December 12, 2003
Soon after identical twins Diana and Dawn Meier moved into the same apartment building, they developed breathing problems.
“She had been complaining of a lot of sinus problems when she had moved to the apartment. She had been there about a year before I did. And so I started getting — like, my nose was running,” said Diana.
Their symptoms got worse, and the antibiotics doctors prescribed didn’t help. Then the sisters found out they were sensitive to household mold.
When airborne, microscopic mold spores can wreak havoc in sensitive people. Researchers in one study found fungus in over 90 percent of chronic sinusitis patients.
“They end up inhaling it into their sinus cavities, and then it just breeds,” said sinus expert Jordan S. Josephson.
Dr. Josephson says most sinus infections are bacterial and fungal. Antibiotics treat only bacterial infections, so patients may also need anti-fungal drugs.
“Each person needs to be evaluated by their ear, nose and throat physician or their sinus specialist so that they can figure out which is the proper combination of agents to use,” said Dr. Josephson.
While doctors treat your sinuses, you need to attack your mold problem. You can start by washing off the fungus with bleach and water.
“If a person’s home has uncontrolled moisture, water leaks, etc., that needs fixing,” said Occupation Medicine Specialist Philip Harber.
Dr. Harber specializes in occupational medicine and is a mold expert.
“Where there’s pervasive growth, it’s sometimes useful to look for advice at the EPA website or to call a professional,” said Dr. Harber.
You can hire a trained dog to sniff out the hidden mold for about $500. The cleanup and repairs are left to you. Or look in the phone book for a “mold remediator” who will do the entire job for you. It can cost a pretty penny. And your homeowner’s insurance may not pay up.
But as Diana and Dawn found out, it’s your health that could be at stake.
“I didn’t think I would ever become disabled from something I couldn’t see that was in my apartment,” said Diana.
Keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance may pay mold damage due to something like a busted pipe. However, it is not likely you’ll get financial help if the mold has been allowed to grow and cause significant problems.
