Jun 30, 2009 7:03 pm US/Eastern
Persistent Rain Leaves Behind Moldy Mess
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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Specialists working for MoldTec America in Waltham were focusing on a vivid, reddish mold at Carolyn Johnston's home.
WBZ
Recent rain in the Bay State is encouraging indoor growth of mold, which can pose significant health hazards. While the problem is expected to get worse, mold removal companies are already busy.
Specialists working for MoldTec America in Waltham are among many crews removing mold in Massachusetts after 21 of the past 25 days brought measurable rainfall.
In one case, they were focusing on a vivid, reddish mold at Carolyn Johnston's home.
"It just started to come down the foundation. It's really disgusting, and it doesn't feel healthy to have it there," said Johnston.
Johnston said she noticed the mold a couple days ago.
"And you think it's related to the recent rain?" WBZ's Ron Sanders asked.
"Oh, absolutely. It was never there before," she said. "It's the only thing that I could possibly think of."
Ironically, this is just the beginning of mold growth caused by recent rain.
"It's only once the rain stops and humidity comes that we'll start to see mold actually beginning to grow," said Suzanne Condon, Director of Environmental Health for the Mass. Department of Public Health. "Then, the people we worry most about are people who have pre-existing asthma or allergies because those people will indeed experience exacerbations of those illnesses," she added.
Tim Gallagher, Operations Manager for PowerBees of Wayland, tested outdoor air quality for a mold remediation project at a large building in Boston's Back Bay. Results will come back in about a week.
"How likely are we to get a significant reading here?" Sanders asked.
"There's mold here for sure," said Gallagher. "The phone's been ringing off the hook," he added.
The Environmental Protection Agency says if a moldy area is less than 10 square feet, you can probably handle clean-up yourself, as long as you eliminate its source of moisture. If you hire a contractor to clean-up, the EPA says make sure the company is properly equipped and has mold remediation experience.
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