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
How Lemon Laws Apply to Defective Kia Vehicles
There is nothing more annoying than driving a car that is constantly having issues and needs repair on a regular basis. Kia, which is one of the fastest growing auto manufacturer in North America, is under scrutiny because some of its models have recurring problems that continuously need repair. If you have a Kia vehicle […]
Facts About Ridesharing Accidents
Even in cities that are considered to be “car cultures,” rideshare services are quickly becoming a solid alternative for those who don’t want to abandon their car after a night out, or don’t want to take public transportation. For some, Uber and Lyft, etc are their best bet for timely arrival to work or a […]
Top 4 Personal Injury Myths
Personal injury cases are more rampant than you can ever imagine. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, about 31 million of the injuries that occur every year often call for medical care. Considering their prevalence, it comes as no surprise that there are so many myths and misconceptions surrounding personal injury. Think you got […]
Dealing with Dog Bites
Dog bites, dog attacks and maulings by dogs are a problem the world over. Sometimes these injuries can be fatal. They tend to affect children most (most children have been bitten by a dog they know by age 11), but can happen to anyone. It can be helpful to understand some techniques for avoiding dog […]
What to Know About Arizona’s Lemon Law
Like many other states, Arizona has a Lemon Law in place to help protect consumers who buy faulty vehicles from being stuck with them with no recourse. Arizona’s lemon law, though, is a little different from other states, with certain restrictions in place that are specific to Arizona. Here are a few basic guidelines to […]
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, […]
Personal Injury Lawsuits: What You Need to Know and how RS Law Office Can Help
Life is pretty unpredictable. One minute you’re healthy and bubbly, the next one you are nursing an injury due to someone else’s negligence. But the fact that life is unpredictable does not in any way reduce the pain and confusion that may arise when you find yourself in harm’s way due to another person’s negligence. […]
Five Types of Truck Accidents
Trucks are paramount to our country’s economy. Over 15 million trucks move across the country, transporting consumer goods from one state to another every day. But despite their essential place in our society, trucks are pretty dangerous and pose a high risk to every road user. It pays to know the different types of accidents […]
Five Apps Every Trucker Should Have
Driving a tractor trailer or any other large vehicle isn’t just about long hours, lots of miles and making sure you’re still driving safely after those lengthy days. It’s a lifestyle, and like any other connected lifestyle in the 21st century, there are plenty of apps to go around designed to help make a truck […]
Types of Damages in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycles are an easy, exhilarating way to get around. No getting stuck in traffic and you can hit the gas pedal to the max. Exciting, right? Well, here’s the catch; although exciting, motorcycles are incredibly dangerous. A report by the Insurance Information Institute shows motorcyclists are usually 27 times more likely to lose their lives […]
contact form
