Is this dangerous..the maintanence storage room next to my apartment in the hall is loaded with mold?

from top to bottom said 2 neighbors who saw it when it was open. They found radon in building and drilled hole from my wall to this moldy room to solve radon problem in building. For years, I had SEVERE coughing to the point I peed myself and thought my ribs were broken throwing out my back from violent coughing that went on several hours where I couldn't catch a breath...with tons of clear phelm..thought I had chronic bronchitis but many years later found it was allergic rhitinitus and allergy to mold and then discovered mold under carpet when moving. Few lung problems since moving..it mostly all went away. I am worried this mold might affect my health and cause return of symptoms. Can it get to me from through walls or under door in hallway? What can I do to get them to fix it.? I am afraid to complain as so many residents are evicted from this subsidized housing on sham excuses. Would health department help me anonomously complain and how dangerous is mold?

wow..now I'm scared. so many excellent answers will be hard to choose

For most people the mold is not all that threatening, but for people like you, it could take your life. Mold spores are spread through the air as well as other ways, and yes, the storage area should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned.

One way you can help protect yourself is through the use of an electronic air filter, but that by itsself may not be enough; the cheaper ones are less efficient. You can also speak to your doctor about medications that can help.

Lastly, to compel management to clean up, you will need the assistance of the health department. If it's subsidized housing, the ideal would be to speak to the agency that provides the subsidy. In real life, though, we all know that is sometimes counter productive, so go through the health department, and you should involve Social Services as well. With them behind you, management will have a much harder time tossing you out in retaliation.

You have to ask yourself which is worse, retaliation by the management of your apartment complex or losing your life? How about the children who live there; who's going to speak up for them?

see comments in additional details. I appreciate best answerer telling me it is spread through the air. I bet this workman tracked it in here too as he ran wire from that room to mine about radon and kept going in and out of the two places. Report It

May have tracked it in via his shoes?? Yeah, storage they have is also full of junk,,air filter good idea..I am not sure who social service is but I think I could not trust them on their own Report It

to fix problems as they do cheap, inadequate resolutions..they do like the jury rigged repairs and I can't trust them so need to call health dept who when they say it is done can check up on them via health dept. Thanks Report It

if your'e stuck there, at the very least get a good air purifier with HEPA filter......the 'ionic' type create ozone and NO, both of which are highly toxic gases. Report It

Yes. Black mold, which thrives in the paper that faces drywall, is nasty stuff and known to affect health. I would strongly encourage you to call the health department. Depending on your state, the health department takes this seriously. There have been plenty of lawsuits over black mold.

If the health department won't let you report it anonymously, I'llbet you can find a pro bono (for free) lawyer who'll contact them for you. And maybe the lawyer will contact the apartment manger, too.

But don't put up with this.

Mold may be growing in areas that they cannot see, like air ducts, remote attic or basement spaces, or wall cavities. Left to multiply, these infestations may produce enough organic compounds to cause allergic reactions, sickness and, in extreme cases, death (a possibility with infants). Yes, you should have a mold inspector come or health inspector to see it. I advise you to move immediately, because it causes asthsma and allergies to it. Move to a house or soemthing. You cannot afford of losing your life and poor air quality.

yes, call health dept. get out, it can kill you, if it is black mold, if you get evicted, sue them, is there any other prbms. if you're female it could cause birth defects. if the health dept. won't help
call the f.b.i they are obligated to protect you....

Definitely check with the health department,asap. Mold grows in
dark, damp areas. Yes it can spread from one place to another i.e.
all under carpet. I was successfully treated for mold allergies
with a shot series, but under condition all mold be removed. If
you're still living in the same apt., your illnesses will return and could grow worse over time.

Short answer, YES.

Does the landlord know about this, if you're renting? And I think that the housing authority needs to be told too.

Good luck!

Get the health department in there. If it is black mold then it is very dangerous. Also go to the doctor ASAP and get checked out.