Health and Safety

Yes, and in every building you normally occupy, including your home and outdoors, all the time. Mold spores are always present in outdoor and indoor air, except in sterile environments such as certain laboratories and medical spaces.

No. Repeated inspections and testing have confirmed that there are no systemic water intrusion or mold problems in UHS facilities.

Yes. Repeated testing has shown the air to be normal, safe and consistent with outside air levels.

Maybe. Mold spores are always floating in the air and will grow when they have the right amount of moisture. Condensation around windows or on pipe insulation, for example, can allow certain types of fungus to grow. What you see could also just be dirt, dust and particulates that settle and collect on those surfaces.

Almost certainly not. We all breathe and touch many types of microscopic mold spores every day, and the great majority of people have no reactions. Some people who have chronic respiratory issues, such as asthma, or who are already sick or what is called immuno-compromised, may have reactions to certain types of molds.

Many different molds may appear black and the coloring is not an indication of toxicity. Also, the CDC notes that the term “toxic mold” is not accurate. While some molds can produce toxins, the molds themselves are not toxic. Hazards presented by the rare molds that produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in indoor environments. It is not necessary to identify the type of mold, as all molds should be treated the same with respect to potential health risks and removal. 

If a resident thinks there is a mold issue in their room or suite, they should immediately submit a Work Order through the Housing Portal. Students may also choose to notify University Housing Services in addition to submitting a Work Order.

Once a Work Order is received, UHS follows a regimented mold response protocol in accordance with Environmental Health & Safety.  The first step of the protocol is an inspection of the space to identify and assess the area in question.  All practices in the protocol are in line with guidelines provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

UHS has several methods of responding to reports of mold growth:

• Affected areas are cleaned and treated with products that have mold inhibitors.
• When mold growth requires complex or sizable remediation, UHS works with an approved third-party abatement contractor to address the issue.

Since mold is present in the indoor and outdoor air and on surfaces all around us, UHS does not routinely conduct air sampling for mold and instead follows federal agency guidance as noted below: 

• From the CDC:"Standards for judging what is an acceptable, tolerable, or normal quantity of mold have not been established" and "Generally it is not necessary to identify the species of mold growth in a residence, and CDC does not recommend routine sampling for molds. Current evidence indicates that allergies are the type of diseases most often associated with molds. Since the susceptibility of individuals varies greatly either because of the amount or type of mold, sampling and culturing are not reliable in determining your health risk... therefore, no matter what kind of mold is present, you should arrange for its removal."
• From the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):“In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary. Since no EPA or other federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores, sampling cannot be used to check a building's compliance with federal mold standards.”

https://www.epa.gov/mold/mold-testing-or-sampling

• Report any water problems (leaks behind a toilet or under sinks, dripping faucets, wet carpet, leak from a ceiling, etc.) immediately by submitting a Work Order through the Housing Portal.
• Keep room air vents (where applicable) in all areas open and unobstructed to maintain proper airflow. 
• Do not open windows during cooling or heating season. 
• Routinely clean your suite bathroom, including the shower curtain liner, with bathroom cleaner to prevent the growth of soap scum which is an excellent food source for mold. Always follow the directions and read all precautions before using any cleaning product. 
• Be sure to turn the bathroom exhaust fan on when showering. After your shower, keep the shower curtain closed and the fan running for an extra 15-20 minutes to remove excess moisture from the air. 
• Do not hang towels (or any other wet items) to dry between your mattress and bed frame. This can cause mold to grow on the bottom of your mattress. 
• Do not place wet items in an enclosed area (hampers, bags, etc.). 
• Good housekeeping practices (vacuuming floors, wiping down counters, cleaning up spills quickly, wiping down refrigerators (including the doors), etc. should be shared by all residents to help reduce the number of food sources for mold growth. 

If mold is suspected on any indoor surface, submit a Work Order as soon as possible to limit further growth. In some cases, mold growth is due to poor cleaning habits and are the responsibility of occupants. Examples of this include: 

• Maintaining refrigerators - Residents are responsible for maintaining and cleaning the refrigerators in their units. In particular, residents should leave adequate time between defrosting and leaving before breaks to ensure that they wipe out the inside of the refrigerator. Failure to do so on a regular basis can result in mold growth inside or outside of the unit.  
• Bathroom/shower areas of suites – UHS custodial staff maintain and regularly clean all common area showers in the Traditional Residence Halls and Residential Halls. The cleaning of shower and bathroom areas in the Residential Suites is the responsibility of the residents that live there. 

It is very common for students who arrive at CPP at the beginning of a new school year or have returned to CPP after a break to develop upper respiratory symptoms such as sore throat, runny nose, cough, and congestion.  The most common reason for these symptoms is a viral upper respiratory infection picked up by socializing with other students who may or may not be aware that they have a contagious viral illness. Another reason for some upper respiratory symptoms when returning after a break is a change in the physical environment between home and UHS residence halls and suites. During the winter, the relative humidity in the residence halls is low and this is a common cause of sore throats, dry noses, nose bleeds, eye irritation, and dry/itchy skin.

Unless you are allergic, mold is very unlikely to cause physical symptoms. People who are sensitive to mold may experience short-term mild allergic reactions in the presence of mold. Symptoms associated with mold exposure are not unique and cannot be readily distinguished from symptoms caused by the common cold or allergies (seasonal and/or other environmental allergies). 

If you are concerned about having symptoms due to mold allergy, you should visit Student Health and Wellness Services or your doctor to assess your situation and the likelihood that the symptoms you are experiencing are due to a mold allergy or another more common cause.

Mold produces allergens, but like any other allergen, exposed individuals will respond differently. Some may have no reaction; others may experience hay fever-type symptoms, and others may experience more significant symptoms. It is important to keep in mind that many students new to the area may experience seasonal allergy symptoms, even without a prior history of this condition. Symptoms typically will arise during the first or second year at CPP. Having never experienced problems with seasonal allergies, many students may attribute these symptoms to a sinus infection or become concerned that there is mold in their residence hall or suite.

Mold is not regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Mold is a natural byproduct of various conditions, often occurring in warm and moist environments where there is abundant vegetation such as trees, landscaping plants, and ground coverings. According to the EPA, mold cannot be totally eliminated in the environment unless extreme measures are taken constantly, as would be the case in a “clean room” laboratory.

Yes. UHS has been in contact with several universities and learned that our procedures are similar to theirs or, at times, more advanced.

UHS Maintenance staff provides routine maintenance of all buildings and carefully maintains the cooling and heating systems. This includes cleaning, maintaining, and repairing HVAC equipment.  Air filters are minimally replaced twice a year. All residence halls and suites are cleaned before the beginning of every academic year and when a room becomes completely vacant.

Any time there are concerns about the level of moisture in a space, UHS Maintenance staff will investigate and offer solutions to mitigate the issue.