You may have heard of “mold growth” in passing. Depending on the situation, the story you heard may have been about a simple annoyance, a house deal that fell through, or a sneezing fit. However, there are a lot worse stories than that out there; mold can cause severe allergies, incapacitation, and even worse health problems, in plants, animals, and humans.
Today we are going to look a little at what mold is, what kinds are serious, what to do if you spot it and
how to ensure that your landlord takes care of the problem before it severely affects you and your family.
Mold is actually a kind of fungus. It reproduces by dispersing spores all over the place in the hopes of finding a suitable environment. In the forests and fields outside, this is great – mold plays the role of a decomposer, helping to get rid of dead animals and plants. The problem comes when mold finds your home to be its suitable environment.
This happens when there is any kind of moisture sitting around inside. The mold spores settle on it and start to feed on it. They need surprisingly little “food” to profligate at a surprising speed. Just your walls, papers, books, or fabrics could be enough to sustain mold. Mold will even grow on top of the mold. By that point, the problem will be fairly obvious just by looking. Black mold is particularly harmful, but any visible mold should be dealt with quickly. Remember: mold spores are invisible to the naked eye, so if you are seeing them, that means you have a lot of them.
Most mold reactions are fairly mild. You may develop a cough, itchy eyes, a runny nose, and sneezing. You could also get allergic reactions to the skin, such as itching, raised, red bumps, etc. More severe problems can quickly develop in people suffering from asthma. This could include wheezing, shortness of breath, or asthma attacks.
Now the worst reactions stem from molds that include compounds known as mycotoxins, which is basically poisonous fungus of some kind. This is where the literally deadly Stachybotrys chartarum comes in, but you probably know of it by its more common name: the aforementioned black mold. This species of mold can cause severe and systemic health problems. It can literally spell disaster for people – you could end up completely debilitated in a wheelchair, and you could end up dead.
The first thing you want to do is remove any mold-covered surfaces. The next, and most crucial, step is to ensure that there is no excess moisture in your home. Now, as a renter, this may prove more of a commitment than you are ready to make.
In California, landlords are responsible for offering a clean, safe dwelling that is not breeding dangerous mold. If you do see mold, your landlord must act quickly to help you. If there is any delay, consider hiring a personal injury lawyer to see what your options are.
Mold can be serious and, as a renter, it is your job to look out for yourself and your family.
blogs
Hellcats and Risky Driving
As Americans, and especially Californians, a lot of us love fast cars. But what happens when the speeds of our cars surpass the safety training of the average driver? Let’s take a look at understanding what the Hellcat trend includes, how it could impact you as a driver on the road, and why it can […]
Driving Tips for Warm Weather
As winter thaws and we move into spring and summer, the roads will soon begin filling up with road-trippers and people moving cross country. The more cars on the road, and the more freedom we have in that nice, warm weather, the more risk we’re at of some kind of accident. Here are a few […]
Five Helpful Facts and Tips About Pedestrian Accidents
The pedestrian fatality rate in Arizona is more than double that of the national average, at 1.61 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. Most of these are male pedestrians, killed at a rate of almost three times as much as female pedestrians. Keeping pedestrians safe is everyone’s job, but as a pedestrian, you should understand the […]
Slip and Falls in Private Homes
Slips and falls are serious anywhere, but if you concentrate just on occurrences in private homes, an arresting statistic jumps out right away- falls are responsible for 50% of all accidental deaths in the home. Let’s take a look at two of the top causes of a slip and fall in a private home. We […]
Cell Phones and Accidents on the Road
We have all done it. Even with the headsets, the hands-free devices, and the ability to connect your phone to your car, all of us have reached for the phone while driving. Whether it’s checking a quick text at a stoplight or messing around with your maps app while driving in a new place, the […]
Do Lemon Laws Apply in Auto Dealer Frauds
Most state and federal laws penalize fraudulent marketing, sales, and financing schemes. Knowing your rights and if the state’s lemon laws apply is critical to getting compensated. We explain more about auto dealer frauds, the different types, and the best time to hire an attorney. What is an Auto Dealer Fraud? It’s an unlawful and […]
How Dangerous Are Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a traffic accident than people inside passenger cars. In fact, they are 28 times more likely, due to a number of factors, including things like potential low visibility from the blind spots of other vehicles around them. Motorcycles are also most likely to be involved in collisions with […]
Safety Tips for Rideshares
Companies like Uber, Lyft, and others have changed the game when it comes to the gig economy, the taxi industry, and, of course, just getting around in general. For most of us passengers, these ridesharing companies offer an increase in convenience, especially in California where public transport is not entirely dependable. Besides the convenience issue, […]
Courtroom Movies for the Holidays
As winter sets in, the holiday season has truly begun. Many of us are looking forward to seeing our loved ones, some of us for the first time in a long time. Besides feasts and fireside chats, a lot of families have a tradition of gathering together and watching a holiday classic. Through the years, […]
Car Airbag Injuries: What You Need to Know
Car airbags are designed to save lives in the event of a car crash. They are among the most innovative, auto-safety features of recent decades, and have even been proven effective in reducing driver mortality. However, even though efficient, airbags are sometimes the reason behind fatalities. We explore various airbag defects, the type of injuries […]
contact form
