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Mold Forces Family from their Dream Home

Mon, 9 Apr 2012 11:53:04 EST

Last month, WBOC 16 published a story about mold contamination forcing a family to move out of their Maryland home.  The report discussed how high levels of indoor mold resulted in the family having to leave their dream home and move into an apartment.
 
According to the family, the previous seller knew of the problems.  Before purchasing the home the family hired a home inspector that did not indicate any problem with mold according to the report.  Neighbors stated that the home had been vacant for several years and the roof had caved in one area due to a fallen tree.  Water damage resulted and according to the neighborhood residents, many thought the home would be demolished.
 
Unfortunately cases like these happen all too frequently, especially as a result of the housing bust that created countless abandoned and foreclosed homes across the nation.  Due to the collapse in home prices, many investors and first time homebuyers can now afford to purchase these properties at bargain prices. 
 
'Home buyers need to be aware of the risks associated with high levels of mold in indoor environments,' reported Bruce Jacobs, CIH, President of IAQ Index, a leading mold and indoor air quality (IAQ) test kit provider.  'While some health effects associated with mold exposure remain controversial, other health effects are well recognized by the medical community.  Molds produce allergens, irritants, and, in some cases, potentially toxic substances. The simple act of inhaling or touching mold may cause an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.  Exposure to mold may also trigger asthma attacks and result in opportunistic infections in persons whose immune systems are weakened or suppressed.'
 
To help home buyers identify mold hazards in indoor environments, IAQ Index has developed an easy to use mold test kit. To learn more, please visit IAQ Index at http://www.IAQIndex.com, email info@IAQIndex.com or call (888) 259-3883.
 
About IAQ Index
IAQ Index was developed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist with decades of experience dealing with indoor air quality issues.  IAQ Index was developed as a health-based, easy-to-understand, air quality index that is calculated from data generated for various parameters commonly measured during IAQ surveys.  The approach is similar to the EPA's Air Quality Index that has been used historically to communicate the risks posed by common pollutants in the ambient air.