- August 19,2010
Douglas Harmon, a former tenant of an apartment building located at 835 East Drive, is voicing his concerns about mold contamination in his former home. Harmon claims the mold can be seen in the utility closets of the apartment, on the building’s entryway ceiling and along the common walls and baseboards of the ground floor.
Harmon was evicted when he didn’t pay rent. He claims he reported the mold problems and they weren’t fixed, which is why he decided not to pay his rent.
“I’m in a position where I can speak out for them and I have nothing to lose,” he said. “It needs to be fixed for the families still living there.”
Pamela Williams, the spokeswoman for the State Health Department, said that there aren’t any public health laws in place in Oklahoma that concern mold growth. Mold testing and cleanup are performed by private companies, she said.
Harmon arranged and paid for mold testing in his apartment just days before he was evicted. The results found that there were high levels of two types of mold.
Todd Hoffman, the mold remediation specialist who performed the testing in Harmon’s apartment, said that the spore levels of one type of mold were the highest that he has ever seen inside a building.
“If I were working on that place, I’d definitely wear a mask,” Hoffman said. He also said that the levels of mold in the apartment are dangerous.
High levels of mold spores should be investigated to determine the cause of the mold growth and to determine where it has spread, Hoffman said. He also said that there is a lot of debate regarding what is considered to be dangerous levels of mold growth and whether or not it should be regulated.
While there may be debate regarding what’s considered dangerous levels of mold, what is known is that indoor mold growth can be problematic. Not only does it cause structural damage, but it can also cause health problems. People who are most at risk of developing health problems as a result of mold exposure are those who have pre-existing conditions, such as allergies, weakened immune systems, and respiratory health issues, such as asthma and COPD; however, people who are in overall good health can also develop health complications as a result of mold exposure. It can lead to allergy-type symptoms, such as sneezing, coughing, eye irritation, and skin irritation. Mold exposure can also cause respiratory infections, and in severe cases, it can cause organ damage and even death. For these reasons, mold levels should be regulated.
Mold Inspection & Testing Oklahoma City has performed countless mold tests in apartment buildings throughout the city. We strongly urge all landlords and property owners to arrange for mold testing to ensure the safety of the people who reside in them. To speak with a representative of MI&T, please call 405.595.0748. One of our knowledgeable associates will be happy to answer all of your questions.
