Has Past Water Damage Caused Mold in Your Apartment?

Across the United States, there are approximately 30 million apartment units that house families in everything from luxury accommodations to low income housing.  Regardless of the amount of the monthly rent, almost any type of apartment complex is susceptible to water damage and elevated humidity levels that can quickly result in the growth of mold.

For apartment tenants, the presence of elevated levels of mold can cause a wide range of health concerns.  These include triggering asthma; causing allergies, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and infections; and exposing people to a class of toxins produced by mold that are known as mycotoxins.

When a tenant signs a lease agreement, they expect to be moving into a home that is safe for them and their family.  Tenants do not typically know if there has been water damage in a unit before they move in, so it is imperative that the property manager or landlord has dealt with any previous moisture issues in a timely and effective manner.  It is also important that preventive maintenance is performed on the both the interior and exterior of the building to prevent future moisture problems.

“In most circumstances, all mold needs to begin growing in an apartment is a source of moisture and as little as 24 to 48 hours,” said Jason Dobranic, Ph.D., Vice President of Microbiology and Life Sciences at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “Tenants’ furnishings, belongings and many of the materials used to construct a typical apartment complex will support mold growth.  In addition to causing health concerns and making an apartment difficult to rent, the presence of mold can result in costly litigation and even lower property values.  At EMSL, we provide testing services for tenants, landlords and property managers to help identify mold and other IAQ contaminants so that problems can be identified and addressed before they escalate.”

EMSL recently sponsored an educational video about apartments, mold and indoor air quality that can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFjuj-Asb5I.

To learn more about testing for mold or other environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

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EMSL Analytical, Inc.

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