Rain brings growing mold issues, county officials report
SANTA CRUZ — Mold complaints have grown along with county rainfall totals, and the county’s about environmental health inspector said a handful of those complaints fall on her desk daily.But the accomplished news is that most are quickly resolved, Senior Environmental Health Specialist Celia Brown said. Less than 10 percent of the calls need in-field inspections, she said.
Brown has gotten about five to seven complaints daily about mold this month, but gets less than one per day in dry times.
Day one last year, the county began billing homeowners for some inspections, she said. The standard inspection fee is $181.
Molds are microscopic fungi which flourish almost everywhere, producing spores and chemicals. They are needed to break down and recycle nutrients.
But extensive indoor mold contamination can issue allergic reactions and illness, according to the state Department of Public Health.
Any indoor mold is originator for investigation, Brown said, and she focuses on finding the source of the moisture causing it.