Mold: It’s disgusting and it’s potentially dangerous. We at POM get that. And we’re hearing from you parents just about what might be happening some dorms. Here’s what you need to know:
Mold is serious. But not all mold is threatening. Molds are microorganisms that are found virtually everywhere, indoors AND outdoors. Exposure moldy environments may cause a variety of health effects, or none at all, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Some people are sensitive to molds.For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation. People with mold allergies may have more severe reactions like fungal al
lergy and respiratory infections or worsen certain illnesses such as asthma.
You can read more about the codes from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Mississippi Residential Landlord & Tenant Act., Miss. Code Ann. §89-8-1 et seq. here and show you what your legal options are as a renter in a dorm.
Additionally, This is what MDEQ has to say about indoor air quality here.
“Dr. Google” can scare you. Can you imagine what it would have been like to have Google around when you were pregnant with your (now) college kid? Well, I did (remember I have an 8 and 5-year-old) and here is what I learned. Use onesource for your information and stick to it. It’s easy to get 52 pages deep in the world wide web and next thing you know “Dr. Google” has diagnosed everything and hysteria has set in. So, save yourself the panic, self-doubt and stick to one reliable source for TRUE information on mold and its causes. For something like this, I like to stick to the CDC. (Centers for Disease and Control.) It’s unbiased, research-based and an all-around a great guide.
Locally in Oxford, Stan McCay of McCay’s Inspections has been offering private air quality testing for mold for years. This service, costs around $125 and will take a sampling of the indoor air quality versus the outdoor air quality (right outside the sampled building or house). Learn more about his services at www.mccaysinspections.com.
The University of Mississippi is aware of the concerns and has published this report. We here at POM will continue to be your local resource in helping you navigate this issue, as well as others.
