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Renters need to check for mold, mildew in property

People afflicted with asthma or allergies are at risk for a number of illnesses.

By BRANDI A. GROSS, Neighborhood News Bureau
Published August 12, 2007

Jodie Baker, 25, struggles to tend for her ill son while her other two sick children beg for attention at her feet.

"They have had some kind of ongoing stomach virus that has come and gone for the past three months, vomiting and fevers," she said.

Baker said her children started getting sick about two weeks after she moved into her new Midtown apartment.

"All three of my children are asthmatic," Baker said. "I've had them out of day care for three weeks."

While the ailments of the kids might not be directly attributable to possible unhealthy conditions in the apartment, renters should, however, be aware of possible health hazards that can come with new leases, said Jeannine Mallory, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Health Department.

Renters should be extra cautious before signing a lease because they do not benefit from home inspections like potential homeowners do.

"Mold and dust and mildew are really big allergy and asthma triggers," Mallory said. "You can inspect the property before you move in with an eye towards any health issues that you might have."

Mold and mildew can cause severe irritation, said Dr. Raquelle Alexander, allergy specialist. For someone with these sensitivities, mold can cause congestion, postnasal congestion, facial pressure, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

But for a person unaffected by allergies or asthma, there is no cause for alarm.

"Unless you have a hypersensitivity reaction nothing has been proven to be disease causing," Alexander said. "There has not been a proven cause and effect in well-designed trials to my best knowledge."

For those afflicted with asthma or mold allergies, the Pinellas County Health Department recommends checking a property thoroughly before moving in for broken gutters, and cracks or holes in the walls. Keep an eye out for areas where mold could grow.

While inside the dwelling, do a "sniff test." If you detect a "dirty socks" smell or musty odor, this may be a sign of mold. If the air handler is inside the house or apartment, look at the cooling coils, which are just behind the filter. The coils look something like a car radiator with fins. If there is material between the fins, it could be mold.

The Health Department also suggests looking at the ceilings and walls in bathrooms and utility closets for any recent patches.

This could be an indication of a leak. Look for stains in ceilings and walls. Check for tight-fitting windows and doors. Also, inspect for cracked tile grout around showers and tubs. If there are cracks, water can leak inside the wall and cause mold growth.

If a renter suspects he has mold after moving in, the Pinellas County Health Department can still perform an inspection of the home for $75.

But mold is not the only concern.

Renters looking to lease a home built prior to 1978 should ask if there is any lead paint remaining, said Nena Gang, executive vice president of the Bay Area Apartment Association.

Landlords who own these older properties are required by law to give the client a form detailing the status of lead paint.

Landlords have three options on the form: They can say that they don't know if there is any lead paint, that there is lead paint and document where it has been found, or that there is no lead paint and that tests have been performed, Gang said.

Renters like Baker often find they need to rent apartments quickly. But taking the time to check for signs of trouble before moving in could greatly reduce future problems.

Baker said she wished she had known that months ago.

"I would have investigated further," Baker said. "This is the health of my children."

Brandi A. Gross is a reporter for the Neighborhood News Bureau, a program of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. She can be reached at (727) 327-2129.

[Last modified August 11, 2007, 23:16:43]