How bad is a moldy home for teenagers if they are exposed to it 4-5 hours per week?

Question

The 110 year old home has been given to a group of high school students so that they can meet/hang out there, but it is ridden with mold underneath the house. I'm not sure if it is in the walls. Any references on short term mold exposure?

Answer 1

mold is not a safe thing for anyone to be exposed to for a period of time..In Florida,they call them "Sick buildings" and tear them down..even new ones can have it ...even people who are not allerig to mold can suffer from exposures... headachs,sore throats,dizziness,vomitting,itch or watery eyes,runny noses...look of allergy symptoms on About.com. to see the rest of them...
There are a few things that do kill mold..it takes a lot of time & you have to get rid of every bit of it...
1) 5 parts bleach ...10 parts water....mix and apply with a spary bottle or paint sprayer...make sure it is well ventilated before ,during & after.doing it....then go back ago in a a couple days to see if there is any more...repeat the steps again...

2) spread charcoal or kitty litter to absorb the moisture after you are done with the bleach & water..it helps keep it at bay.

If it's on the wood...there is a product you can paint on called "Kills"...most hardware stores sell it.Not sure if the big stores like Lowes & Home Depot do or not...

When it gets into the walls....the only thing you can do is tear the walls off...use either of the steps above....it may be in too deep to see...so hard to take care of...
Best of luck with it....

Answer 2

short term, is ok. as long as it is not a certain type of mold, which can cause long term effects through little contact.

Get a Dehumidifier for the house. it will at least keep the area they hang out in some what dry and mold free.

Answer 3

Allergic Reactions

Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Allergic reactions to mold are common _ these reactions can be immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Mold spores and fragments can produce allergic reactions in sensitive individuals regardless of whether the mold is dead or alive. Repeated or single exposure to mold or mold spores may cause previously non-sensitive individuals to become sensitive. Repeated exposure has the potential to increase sensitivity.

Asthma

Molds can trigger asthma attacks in persons who are allergic (sensitized) to molds. The irritants produced by molds may also worsen asthma in non-allergic (non-sensitized) people.

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis may develop following either short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) exposure to molds. The disease resembles bacterial pneumonia and is uncommon.

Irritant Effects

Mold exposure can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, and sometimes can create a burning sensation in these areas.

Opportunistic Infections

People with weakened immune systems (i.e., immune-compromised or immune-suppressed individuals) may be more vulnerable to infections by molds (as well as more vulnerable than healthy persons to mold toxins). Aspergillus fumigatus, for example, has been known to infect the lungs of immune-compromised individuals. These individuals inhale the mold spores which then start growing in their lungs. Trichoderma has also been known to infect immune-compromised children.

Healthy individuals are usually not vulnerable to opportunistic infections from airborne mold exposure. However, molds can cause common skin diseases, such as athlete's foot, as well as other infections such as yeast infections.

Answer 4

Mold is toxic. These kids should be wearing respirators. Get Out until it is inspected and mold removed. These kids could be in serious danger. Are any of these kids allergic to mold?

Answer 5

Any mold can make you sick. Some people have severe alergies that can compound the effects. Get the house inspected and cleaned by a professional.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

i agree get it checked out by health (worst case they say no one can go in) lol but it could get the teens sick and weaken immune systems..