Mold in Apartment? Your Symptoms Could be from Exposure to Mold
Mold In Apartment
Moving day in West LA. My last day in an apartment I had called home for over three years. I had everything packed, cleaned, and ready to go!
Just one more thing I needed to do before leaving: A walk-through of the apartment with the landlord.
He started the inspection and everything was looking great. I was about to get my whole security deposit back! He stopped in the hallway though. He opened up a closet (I rarely ever opened) that stored the water-heater. Water was leaking out of the heater, causing rust. The paint on the wall was ‘puffed up’, usually an indicator of mold growing underneath.
On my last day in that apartment, I discovered a serious mold issue. For most of my time there, I had been living with mold.
The landlord was gracious and did not knock anything off my security deposit. The leak in the water-heater was small. He said he was renovating the unit anyway.
This was not the first time I had found mold in that apartment though. Walls, ceilings, clothing stored away long-term, all had mold at one time.
This may explain some of the health conditions and symptoms I experienced during my time in that apartment. My exposure to mold in apartments has been a wake-up call. I have learned so much and want to share with you ways to address this problem.
Mold in apartment units is common in areas of the United States with high humidity or rain. The US South and Pacific Northwest experience mold problems on a regular basis. Many older apartment buildings were built in a way and with materials that make them susceptible to mold.
The apartment I was living at in West LA is made mostly of concrete and was built in the 1950s. The back corners of the two-bedroom apartment received very little sunshine and airflow. The stagnant air and coastal moisture of West Los Angeles allowed preferable conditions for mold and mildew growth.
If there is mold growing in your apartment this means there is excess moisture. Mold and mildew need a damp environment to grow. You need to be aware of every corner of your living space. Even hard-to-reach and out-of-sight nooks and crannies. These areas are where mold generally grows best. Dark and moist, with minimal airflow.
Mold and other microbes common in apartment buildings can have adverse effects on your health. Mild to severe symptoms can appear from mold exposure. These health effects are largely reactions to toxins the mold or bacteria create as a biological function. Microbes make these toxins for their protection, but we humans can be greatly irritated by their presence.
Mold In Apartment Symptoms
The symptoms of mold in an apartment are varied and many. Many of these symptoms may be caused by other environmental factors - pollution, seasonal allergies, and stress.
Many people discover their mold allergy by eliminating other causes of symptoms. Upon ruling out any other cause for their symptoms, one can determine if they may be from exposure to mold in an apartment.
Many people who experience mold in their apartment report these symptoms:
Chronic sinus congestion. Coughing. Shortness of breath.
Skin irritation. From itching to rash.
Fatigue. Weakness. Drowsiness. Low energy.
Muscle aches. Cramps. Unusual shooting pains.
Cognitive impairment. Confusion. Memory loss. ’Brain fog’. Trouble concentration and speech.
Strong Headaches. Often confused with a migraine.
Sensitivity to bright light. Tearing and watery eyes. Blurred vision. Redness in and around eyes.
Abdominal pain, sensitive stomach, diarrhea.
Joint pain. Stiffness.
Mood swings. Appetite swings. Sweats, often at night. Temperature regulation.
Numbness. Body tingling,
Excessive thirst. Frequent urination. Sensitivity to static.
In my experience, at the apartment in West LA, I had the following symptoms:
Trouble concentrating and staying focused on tasks.
Fatigue and drowsiness.
Shooting pains in legs or arms.
Mold, mildew, and bacteria can cause illness on their own, but many also contain toxic chemicals. These biological chemicals they make naturally can have adverse side effects on human health. Not only to our body but our minds.
These are the various types of toxins mold and mildew may contain:
Mycotoxins. Toxins produced by fungi and mold. Allergic reactions, trouble breathing, drowsiness are caused by mycotoxins.
Neurotoxins. Toxins that have an effect on mental function. Confusion, headaches, hallucinations have been some of the symptoms reported from neurotoxins.
Biotoxins. A general term for any toxin created by biological organisms.
‘Microtoxins’. A new term I see more and more. Refers to any microbe toxin created by microscopic or ‘invisible’ organisms.
Areas to Check for Mold in Apartments
Mold can appear anywhere in an apartment. Many molds and mildews can be detected by the classic ‘musty smell’ from old homes or by thorough cleaning to uncover mold problem areas.
The main areas of concern for mold in apartments are as follows:
Windows. Especially during rain or high humidity. Condensation is perfect for mold and mildew growth. Keep windows and window sills clean and dry.
Sinks and drawers. Particularly below and under sinks and drawers. Areas of moisture, low airflow, and low light are suitable for molds.
Closets and storage. Dark and minimal airflow make closets a comfortable spot for mold and mildew. Clothing fibers are a food source and a good substrate for growth.
Bathrooms. Due to the presence of water, showers, tiles, grout lines, and curtains are perfect homes for mold. Ceilings of bathrooms tend to grow mold from excess moisture as well.
Leaking Ceiling in Apartment. In lower and ground floor apartment units, water leaking from the ceiling can be an opportunity for mold to thrive. Keep an eye out for excess moisture, discoloration, staining, and ‘puffiness’ that indicates mold growth.
The type of mold you find in your home will determine the severity of health concerns. For example, black mold is well-known for being poisonous and should be addressed with urgency. Others may just give off unpleasant odors or create unsightly stains.
There are countless types of mold. You need to know about the major types of mold in homes. These are the most common types of mold in apartment units:
Stachybotrys ‘Black Mold’
Aspergillus
Chaetomium
Penicillin
Cladosporium
Acremonium
Fusarium
Trichoderma
Ulocladium
To accurately identify mold in your apartment or home, a professional inspection is the best way to know. I am no biologist or doctor, so my advice is just that: advice. Please contact a local specialist to get the best counsel for your situation.
Tenants Rights / Landlord Responsibility for Mold in Apartment
There are laws, at least here in California, that protect tenants from mold in apartments. In California, landlords must follow an ‘implied warranty of habitability. This requires them to provide livable conditions to tenants. California also has a mold disclosure requirement landlords need to follow if their units meet unsafe levels. When deemed uninhabitable due to an outstanding mold problem, tenants may take several courses of action.
Withhold Rent Payments. By claiming the apartment unit is uninhabitable due to mold, tenants in California may be protected from legal actions by landlords for refusing to pay rent.
Repair and Deduct from Rent. Repairing the conditions yourself and taking the expenses of the repairs out of your rent.
If you choose to pursue any of these actions to address a mold issue, I recommend you seek legal counsel beforehand. Laws vary state by state, even city by city.
Mold in your apartment? You need to take action
If you have found mold in your apartment, do not panic. There are steps you can take to protect yourself. Ultimately, you have a few options to address the issue of mold in your apartment.
Know Your Rights. You will save a lot of time and headache knowing what you are responsible for and what your landlord needs to do to address mold in an apartment.
Seek Professional Help. For inspection, cleaning, and remediation, an expert is hands down the best way to address any mold issue. For legal advice and handling landlords, a lawyer is the option to navigate the legal issues. Professional experts will be able to help you make the best decision for your situation.
Do-It-Yourself. Do what you can to clean and prevent mold in your apartment. Preventing mold before it appears will save you a lot of time, work, and money. Communication and talking to your landlord about the issue are essential, even if your landlord does not help solve the issue. But chances are they will help address the issue. So let them know as soon as you know.
Move Out. Find another home without mold. This is not always the easiest option. But when a mold issue is too large to address or a landlord is refusing to help, moving may be the quickest solution to the problem.
As I have moved out of that apartment, I have noticed a change in my symptoms. I do have less brain fog and I feel more clearheaded day to day. I now live in an area with more fresh air and natural light.
I have gained a newfound awareness of mold and mycotoxins. For any apartment I live in or home I buy, I will always keep my eyes peeled for mold problems. If you find an apartment that has mold issues, assess whether it is worth the cost on your health and well-being.
For some parts of the US, mold is inevitable. This does not mean you should ignore the problem and take measures to mitigate and prevent mold.
Hope this was informative and helpful. Please contact me for more info. I’m happy to share any local resources I have accumulated and educational resources to learn about mold and microbes.
Thank you!