The National Association of Home Builders (“NAHB”) reported that a long-awaited report, “Damp Indoor Spaces and Health” from the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine (“NASIM”) found insufficient evidence to link serious health problems - such as cancer, fatigue and neuropsychiatric symptoms - with indoor mold. The NAHB reported that the NASIM report concluded, however, that indoor mold can be associated with upper respiratory symptoms, including coughing and wheezing.
NAHB recommendations for controlling indoor mold growth are to clean any existing mold and to eliminate excessive moisture. NAHB precautionary recommendations for controlling indoor mold growth can be found at their website at www.MoldTips.com and include:
- Vacuum and clean regularly to remove possible sources of mold growth.
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In portions of your home that are susceptible to moisture, use area rugs or washable floor surfaces rather than wall-to-wall carpeting.
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Do not store materials such as paper, books, clothes, or other possible sources of food for mold in humid parts of your home.
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Repair water leaks in your roof, windows, or any other part of the home as soon as possible.
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Clean refrigerator drip pans regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Make sure that gutters and downspouts are clear of debris that may block the flow of water from the roof. Make sure the area under the downspouts is properly graded so that rainwater from the roof flows away from the foundation.
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Make sure areas around the foundation are graded so that rainwater does not flow toward the house.
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Do not place gardens or plants too close to a foundation so that watering them could cause water to flow toward your house.
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In the kitchen and bathroom, open windows or use exhaust fans when engaging in activities that produce moisture. Exhaust fans should be vented to the outdoors and not to an attic or crawl space.
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A clothes dryer should be vented to the outdoors.
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If you use a humidifier, make sure it does not produce an excessive amount of humidity. During the summer, 60 percent relative humidity or lower probably will prevent condensation and mold growth in most parts of the country, but that is too moist for the middle of winter, when 40 percent relative humidity or lower will prevent condensation on windows.
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If you live in a house with a basement, consider using a dehumidifier there. The cool basement floor and walls can be a source of moisture build-up.
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If your home has an attic, make sure it is properly insulated and ventilated.
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If you have a crawl space under your house, cover the soil in the crawl space with waterproof polyethylene plastic. If your crawl space is ventilated, close the vents in the summer and keep them open in the winter.
- If you have water problems in your basement or crawl space, clean up affected areas as quickly as possible and take immediate steps to resolve the source of the problem.
This article was written by Alan P. Fox, Esq., Shareholder in Capehart Scatchard’s Commercial Group. Should you have questions or like more information, please contact Mr. Fox at 856.914.2056, by fax at 856.235.2786, or by e-mail at afox@capehart.com.
