Mold and Moisture

Molds are everywhere and float through the air inside and outside all of the time. When mold spores land where there is appropriate moisture, nutrients, and temperature, they grow.

Common places for mold to grow include:

• basements
• bathrooms
• ceilings underneath leaky roofs
• crawl spaces
• under wallpaper and carpet
• walls around leaky pipes

Health Effects

Individuals suffering from allergies and asthma are impacted when they breathe in molds floating in the air.  Respiratory reactions and asthma attacks result. Excess moisture also attracts pests like cockroaches.

Links

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mold web page
  • Homeowner’s and Renter’s Guide to Mold Cleanup After Disasters 
  • Clean Up Safely After a Disaster
  • Asthma Care Before, During, and After a Hurricane or Disaster
  • Information for Clinicians Helping Asthma Patients After a Hurricane or Disaster
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mold web page
  • Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings Guide
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Mold web page
• NC DPH Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Mold web page
• North Carolina Asthma Program

*NEW* Mold and Moisture: A webinar for people concerned about mold in their homes
This webinar was created by the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility and the UNC Institute for the Environment.

Printable Resources