Information Regarding Mold

Given the public interest in the issue of mold in buildings, including residences, it might be useful for you to have access to information that might help you understand mold remediation procedures at the University of South Carolina and information provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) regarding mold and health impacts.

This CDC site gives an overview of mold and its impacts. Here is some general information excerpted from their site:

There is always a little mold everywhere - in the air and on many surfaces. Molds naturally grow in the indoor environment. Mold spores may also enter your house through open doorways, windows, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Spores in the air outside also attach themselves to people and animals, making clothing, shoes, bags, and pets convenient vehicles for carrying mold indoors. 

Mold exposure does not always present a health problem indoors. However some people are sensitive to molds. These people may experience symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, or wheezing when exposed to molds. People with allergies may be more sensitive to molds. People with immune suppression or underlying lung disease are more susceptible to fungal infections.

Generally, it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growing in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals can vary greatly either because of the amount or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk.

In most cases mold can be removed by a thorough cleaning with bleach and water. If you have an extensive amount of mold and you do not think you can manage the cleanup on your own, you may want to contact a professional who has experience in cleaning mold in buildings and homes.

As we’ve learned from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and CDC, there are no “mold-free” buildings. University Housing, Facilities Services, and Environmental Health and Safety have developed mold remediation procedures consistent with guidelines provided by the EPA. In most cases, the remediation can be accomplished with our university staff; however when assessed as appropriate, outside contractors may sometimes be utilized.

In addition to immediate attention to any areas of our residence halls where mold is evident and visible, our renovation plans and scheduled deferred maintenance reduction plans include improvements to HVAC systems and interior moisture/humidity levels to further reduce the likelihood of excessive mold growth.

As always, we will work with any student who believes their campus residence has exacerbated or contributed to any health problem.

Thank you for your support as we strive to provide the best living and learning communities possible. Our students’ academic success and personal well-being remain our primary focus.