Arizona’s monsoon storms are a welcome break from triple-digit heat. But there’s more trouble to be found when the rain finally stops: mold. Moisture that gets trapped inside a home can grow mold in under 48 hours. Pima County health officials are warning residents that the result can be more than an eyesore. It can also be a health hazard.
But moisture doesn’t need to be delivered by flood to do damage. A leaky roof, standing water after a storm, or even an air conditioner can all leave enough dampness behind to be an issue. In a hot, humid monsoon, that’s actually a common combination, which is why summer is the busy season for Arizona’s mold inspectors. Once mold settles in, it can spread inside walls and ceilings where no one sees it, and that’s a huge issue both for residents and anyone trying to remove it.
Your lungs are the most at-risk part of your body when mold sets in. It’s a known trigger for the respiratory system, and the effects are well documented. John Neatherlin of the Pima County Health Department said exposure can bring on “coughing, wheezing, sore throat, asthma attack or worsening asthma.” Anyone with asthma, allergies, or a weakened immune system can be seriously affected.
Wesley Moore, who owns a mold-detection business, told the station that mold can leave clients foggy-headed and worn out, and can trigger hormone and even thyroid problems in women. A homeowner’s money is on the line when mold sets in as well, since cleanup isn’t usually covered by insurance.
What Mold Really Does to Your Health
Mold is the biggest threat to your respiratory system. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, and irritation of the eyes, skin, and lungs, even in people who are not allergic to it. For anyone with a mold allergy or asthma, a damp and moldy home can be worse, especially for anyone with a weakened immune system or chronic lung disease, in whom mold can even cause lung infections.
Mold can also cause brain fog, chronic fatigue, headaches, and more, all of which are labeled as toxic mold syndrome. Though the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization have concluded there’s not enough evidence to tie indoor mold to these whole-body, non-respiratory symptoms, that doesn’t mean mold is completely harmless. A clearly moldy home should be cleaned up either way,
How to Catch Mold Early and Treat It
The best move for your health and your home is to stop mold before it establishes. It can start growing within a day or two of moisture getting trapped, so speed counts after a storm. Dry out wet materials fast and fix things like a leaky roof, poor drainage, and an air conditioner or cooler that is not carrying water away. Finding hidden mold is harder, but there are low-tech ways to start. Trust your nose, since mold usually smells musty. A flashlight and a moisture meter can help you check damp spots, closets, and the areas around vents and coolers.
Some homeowners bring in help. One Tucson company uses a Belgian Malinois named Dolly, trained like a narcotics dog, to sniff out mold hiding behind walls that swab tests can miss. A trained dog or a professional inspection can pay off for a big or hidden problem.
A patch of mold on a bathroom wall, though, is usually something you can clean yourself, with soap, water, and some scrubbing, as long as you fix the moisture behind it. Mold remediation often isn’t covered by homeowners’ insurance, so a small problem caught early is much cheaper than a wall full of it found late. The rain will keep coming every summer. Staying ahead of what it leaves behind is the part in your hands.