Government Standards for Mold

"HUD has announced that they are encouraging an inspection for mold (and radon) before you purchase their property. As of June 27, 2004, all sales contracts involving single-family structures owned by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must include 'Form HUD-9548-E.' The following phrase appears on the document--'PURCHASERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBTAIN THE SERVICES OF A QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONAL TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS AND TESTS REGARDING RADON AND MOLD PRIOR TO CLOSING.'"

Follow this link to read the HUD announcement and discussion of their "Radon Gas and Mold Notice and Release Agreement".

The U.S. Government Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns people that "Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health but may not know that indoor air pollution can also have significant effects. EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasion more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels. These levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors. In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA and its Science Advisory Board (SAB) have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health."

Congressman John Conyers, Jr. Introduces H.R. 1268: The United States Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act ("The Melina Bill")

"The United States Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act will mandate comprehensive research into mold growth, create programs to educate the public about the dangers of toxic mold, and provide assistance to victims. In addition, the Act will generate guidelines for preventing indoor mold growth, establish standards for removing mold when it does grow, provide grants for mold removal in public buildings, authorize tax credits for inspection and/or remediation of mold hazards, and create a national insurance program to protect homeowners from catastrophic losses. Taken as a whole, the Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act will attack indoor mold growth with good science, public awareness, and tangible relief."

To read more about this proposed legislation, please follow this link.