After Milton did last week as a Category 3 hurricane made landfall in West Florida, some residents who evacuated the area are now returning to discover water damage to their homes. Maybe they’ll find something else soon: mold.
Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours of exposure to moisture. Florida’s subtropical climate, which remains balmy and damp in October, makes it an excellent breeding ground. Worse yet, mold will continue to grow until the source of moisture is eliminated.
As climate change causes more recurrent rainfall and more intense storms, mold is likely to become an increasingly common problem. Higher temperatures boost the humidity of the atmosphere, which can cause more intense rainfall. “Mold is completely tied to climate change,” says Mary Johnson, principal environmental health researcher at Harvard University. “These extreme weather conditions, including hurricanes, can cause water to enter your home or any type of indoor space. When it is humid, the likelihood of mold growing in the room increases.”
Mold growth has previously been documented after immense storms caused flooding and water damage in residential neighborhoods. Months after Hurricane Katrina hit Novel Orleans in 2005, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention inspected 112 flood-affected homes and it turned out to be almost half had observable mold growth. AND Johnson’s research linked higher temperatures and increased rainfall to more mold spores in the outdoor air.
This genus of fungi and molds is a natural part of the environment and has been present on Earth for millions of years. Outdoors, it plays an vital role by breaking down organic matter such as dead trees and leaves. However, indoors, mold can pose a health risk, especially for children, people with allergies and asthma, and people with weakened immune systems.
Mold spores – reproductive cells that act like seeds – travel through the air both outdoors and indoors. When people inhale these spores, they can cause respiratory symptoms, itchy eyes, infections or skin rashes. Inhaling them can also trigger asthma attacks, which can be solemn. However, not everyone is affected by mold exposure.
“For the most part, our body can deal with mold,” says Ronald Saff, an internal medicine physician, allergist and immunologist in Tallahassee, Florida. “People are exposed to mold at quite high concentrations if they go for a walk in the park or in wooded areas.”