Did you know that around 70% of all homes have mold?
If you're looking for up-to-date mold statistics, you've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find new mold stats and facts related to:
- What percentage of homes have mold?
- How many homes have toxic mold?
- Does every house have mold?
- Black mold deaths per year
- Food mold
- Death from mold
- A whole lot more
Let’s see some stats and facts!
Key Mold Statistics and Trends:
- Approximately 70% of homes have some kind of mold in them.
- People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold.
- At least 45 million buildings in the United States have unhealthy levels of mold.
- Keeping humidity levels under 50% will prevent mold growth.
- 93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold. (Mayo Clinic, 1999)
- In the U.S., it's estimated that allergic rhinitis related to mold and dampness costs about $3.7 billion.
- The most toxic form of mold is black mold.
- If a building is found to have indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, there is a 30% chance that it will be remodeled.
- Canadian experts found 270 different mold species in different buildings.
- Mold forms within 48 hours after there is water damage.
- Some molds help make certain kinds of cheeses.
- Approximately 26% of healthcare settings have mold.
Mold in Homes Statistics
Let's take a look at some of the statistics surrounding mold in homes. We'll cover what percentage of homes have mold, how many homes have toxic mold, and much more.
Overview Of Mold Statistics
What percentage of homes have mold?
Around 70% of houses have mold. This statistic can have serious implications for the health and safety of your family.
Mold can affect people differently if they are elderly or have certain respiratory conditions.
On a global scale, most homes have spores of the stachybotrys variety in them.
A Finnish audit found that mold was present in nine percent of terraced houses, 26% of healthcare settings, and 18 percent of schools and kindergartens.
The presence of mold can vary based on the ventilation and the moisture content of different houses.
Some houses are built with features that help keep their interiors resistant to mold.
At least 45 million buildings in the USA have unhealthy levels of mold.
93% of chronic sinus infections have been attributed to mold.
How many homes have toxic mold?
It is impossible to know exactly how many homes have toxic levels of mold. Estimates are based on scientific data and analysis.
Most people who have mold in their home don't realize it, and they aren't sure how to recognize or report the signs.
One study showed that a minimum of 45 buildings in the US have unhealthy mold levels. These aren't necessarily all houses, though.
They can also include commercial and industrial settings, along with healthcare and government settings.
One big problem is that mold can stay underneath your carpet, in your ceiling, or behind your wall undetected for multiple years.
Does every house have mold?
Technically speaking, every house probably has some mold spores.
One mold inspector said that he'd never done a test that didn't show any levels of mold. The spores naturally exist even in dry and well-ventilated environments.
With that said, having spores is not necessarily a cause for concern. The problem is when the spores inside your home have a higher concentration than the outside air.
If your home has conditions that make it easy for mold to multiply, you're going to run into problems.
But if you don't have moisture, a good mold temperature, or a food source for the mold, you should be okay.
What is the annual cost of allergic rhinitis caused by indoor mold?
In the United States, it's estimated that allergic rhinitis related to mold and dampness costs about $3.7 billion.
There are two big respiratory issues related to mold. Acute bronchitis costs about 1.9 billion dollars and asthma mortality costs about $1.7 billion.
The costs are determined by taking the cost of the illness and the willingness to pay for treatment.
People with asthma and bronchitis are more likely to be negatively affected by allergic rhinitis. Indoor mold exposure can also lead to pneumonia and serious respiratory consequences.
How much does mold remediation cost?
The costs of mold remediation vary depending on the type of mold, where it is located, and how widespread it is. For most jobs, you can expect to pay a minimum of $500. Larger jobs might cost more than $4,000.
If the mold issue is small, you may be able to use home remedies and chemical solutions to get rid of it. But more widespread mold will need a professional to make sure that the problem doesn't recur.
A professional might be able to assess the damage and give you a quote for remediation. They will explain what issues you're looking at and why.
What is the impact of building molds in the US?
Mold in buildings in the US can cause certain health impacts. The substances in mold can irritate the body and cause allergic reactions.
Some also create toxic substances. Allergic reactions can be caused whether the mold is alive or dead.
If you live around mold for long periods of time, you might become sensitive to it, even if you didn't have a sensitivity before. You might experience sneezing, red eyes, and a runny nose.
If you have asthma, mold may trigger asthma attacks. It's also possible for mold to irritate your eyes, skin, lungs, throat, and nose, even if you aren't actually allergic to it.
What percentage of buildings are remodeled with IAQ issues?
If a building is found to have indoor air quality (IAQ) issues, there is a 30% chance that it will be remodeled.
The chances of remodeling might depend on where the building is located, what the local laws are, and whether the building owner has money to finance a remodel.
Poor indoor air quality is often a result of poor ventilation. When fresh air is unable to circulate through the house, mold spores build up indoors. You're more likely to breathe in these irritating substances.
How long does mold take to form following water damage?
After a building is damaged by water, mold spores start developing within 24 to 48 hours.
Unless you remove the moisture and deal with the existing infestation, the mold will just continue to grow and spread throughout your home.
If your home is damaged by flooding, a burst pipe, or other water damage, mold and mildew are serious concerns. Cool and moist places give mold an easy place to grow.
Depending on the extent of the water damage, you might need to have a professional remediation service take care of the mold.
The best way to deal with mold is by taking preventative steps to keep it from growing in the first place.
Mold Exposure Statistics
Here we have compiled statistics that deal with mold exposure, how many people get sick from mold, and how many die from mold. Keep reading to learn about the newest mold exposure stats.
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