The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that children, people with asthma or chronic respiratory diseases, and those with immune suppression are among the most vulnerable to adverse effects from mold.¹

The World Health Organization’s Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould states that there is sufficient epidemiological evidence showing that those living in damp or moldy buildings are at increased risk of respiratory issues, including more serious or rare concerns such as exacerbated asthma, hypersensitive pneumonitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, and more.²

Another review of 114 epidemiological articles found that the vast majority of them supported evidence of mold causing adverse effects on multiple systems in the body, such as respiratory, neurological, immunologic, cognitive, and others.³ Yet another study on neuropsychiatric processes concluded that exposure to mold can affect the nervous system.⁴ It is clear that addressing mold properly is a public health issue of concern around the world.

Neglecting or failing to properly remediate mold issues can often lead to hefty fines. Baxter International agreed to pay $18 million in 2017 to resolve claims that the company ignored reports of mold in air filters in a plant in North Carolina.⁵

In California, the parents of a child who had suffered brain damage believed to be caused by moldy lumber used to construct their home received a $13 million settlement from Crenshaw Lumber Co.⁶

Mold issues in military housing remain pervasive despite some attempts to address the issue by the Department of Defense, such as the introduction of the Tenant Bill of Rights.⁷

In 2021, a private housing contractor that operates military housing communities agreed to pay $65 million in fines and restitution after overlooking mold issues and exposing residents to mold.⁸

These are just a few examples that highlight the financial cost of ignoring or improperly addressing indoor mold problems.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), severe storms account for 46% of billion-dollar disaster events between 1980-2021.⁹

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that global precipitation has risen by 0.1 inches per decade on average since 1901.¹⁰

Single-day, high precipitation events have also increased, with nine out of 10 top years for extreme one-day precipitation events occurring since 1996.¹¹

The EPA notes that extreme weather conditions associated with climate change can lead to damp indoor conditions where mold can grow, increasing risk for exposure and health effects.¹²

Now more than ever, it is essential to ensure that mold is remediated properly to reduce the potential for long-term health effects from water-damaged indoor spaces.