Mold (apartment, house, landlord)

[sax33]

I want some advice on the best way to detect mold in an apartment. I am constantly coughing inside of my apartment. I had the landlord check it for mold they stated they detected no mold? I am wondering what else could be inside of my apartment that is making me constantly cough? Now I am starting to think that maybe my landlord either lied or did not do a thorough enough test to detect for mold. Can I call the health department or pay someone to come out and do another test even though my landlord stated they did a test? Also I know it is something inside of
my apartment because I have had visitors come over and they have the same problems with coughing and watery eyes!! All sugestions appreciated and I also want to know if a doctor can run a test to see if I have been exposed to mold thinking about getting an appointment with an internist?

[Irish4evr]

Do you have a carbon monoxide detector ? Just a thought but your symptoms are quite vague and could be caused by a number of sources.

Many times, mold detection begins with moisture detection, moisture in the wrong places can signal a problem.

There are industrial hygenists that can preform air quality testing....That can get quite spendy....

I doubt that your landlord would ever admit, even if toxic mold was discovered, that would be an admission of liability.

Should you cosider going the medical route, find a Dr that understands mold exposure....many do not and you could feel worse after the appointment, if you know what I mean...Mycotoxin testing is best conducted by a physician, very familiar with toxic mold exposure determined thru.....subjective complaint, objective finding, verified by extensive testing....best of luck....mold toxcity is a complex issue..! Don't rule out the obvious............

[End-User]

Those symptoms can come from a ton of different things. An allergic reaction to nearby plants or animals. Disease carried by pest such as rodents and insects. Powerful cleaning chemicals. Carbon monoxide or various other gases. Insulation in the walls that has been damaged by something like faulty wiring. Even simple dust.

While mold is possible, I'd be more worried about a chemical source than a biological source. Of course you might just need the air filters to be overhauled. You should keep track of when the problem worst and look for patterns, such as cold days when a heater works over time or maybe during rush hour every day.

There are just too many possibilities for you to get hung up on mold as the culprit. Don't let yourself miss the real answer just because your looking for something else.

[sax33]

No I do not have a carbon monoxide detector. I assummed mold because even when I leave my apt. people cough around me assummed I was carrying mold spores. This apt. has flooded twice and landlord claim it was restored properly.

[End-User]

Well that new info about flooding does point toward mold.

[KennyP]

Flooding doesn't cause mold, constant exposure to moisture does. Mold can't live w/o water, it's got to have it all the time. If the property was dried out before mold grew, it's normally fine. It's badly made showers, improperly installed windows, or bad flashing that cause mold b/c every time it rains, more water gets in.

Mold inspection, done properly costs about $300, and is available through almost any home inspection company.

It is a destructive test though. Pieces of wall have to come down, and they don't pay to put it back up.

I would think it's more likely the carpet or ventilation that's causing your issues. Have the ducts ever been cleaned?

[davecj]

Check the drywall around any water line and see if it feels damp. My on/off valve for the house had a tiny drip and over the course of a couple years you could easily break the paper on the wall. That and the relatively warm temperature led to some pretty bad mold.

[sax33]

i also noticed that sometimes my light shirts will get yellow spots on them. The other day I left a pair of socks in the utility room and the next day it had yellowish orange color on the sock could this be a sign of mold? or something else?

[End-User]

Originally Posted by sax33

i also noticed that sometimes my light shirts will get yellow spots on them. The other day I left a pair of socks in the utility room and the next day it had yellowish orange color on the sock could this be a sign of mold? or something else?

Cigarette tobacco is known to leave yellowish stains on walls, clothing, and upholstery. If you live in an apartment, it is very possible someone near you smokes and airborne particles are getting into the ventilation. But I doubt your clothes could have enough residue on them to make affect other people when you go out; your clothes would have to be completely yellow for that to happen.

[sax33]

I don't know if any of my neighbors smoke? I know 100% I do not have a hygeine problem may look into going to some type of specialist