{"id":96,"date":"2023-08-02T19:50:11","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T19:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.moldu.org\/?page_id=96"},"modified":"2025-01-29T15:24:38","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T15:24:38","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.moldu.org\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mold in College Dorms<\/h1>\n

We\u2019re currently facing a nationwide failure to address the growing health crisis caused by mold in college dorms. Instead of focusing on their degrees and beginning the next chapter of their lives, students are battling chronic symptoms due to the toxicity in their living spaces. Here\u2019s what you should know.<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/h2>\n

There’s Over<\/p>\n

Customers served!<\/span><\/span>0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Cases of Mold Reported on Campus’ Nationwide in the Last 5 Years  <\/span><\/p>\n

Of Ivy League Schools Reporting Mold on Campus<\/p>\n

Dorm Mold Reported in<\/p>\n

Customers served!<\/span><\/span>0<\/span><\/span><\/span>Of the 50 States Across the Country<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the Top 25 schools In The USA Reporting Mold on Campus*<\/p>\n

*Based on 2024 US News Best National University Rankings<\/p>\n

Is My School Affected?<\/h2>\n

Below is an interactive map featuring all of the cases of mold in college dorms reported to the media in the last five years.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/path> <\/g> <\/g> <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n

View the complete list of mold reported in dorm rooms in the last five years.<\/a><\/p>\n

Why Is This Happening?<\/h2>\n

Why Is Mold In College Dorms So Common?<\/h3>\n

Mold typically needs two basic things to begin growing: a food source and a water source.<\/p>\n

Any indoor environment, including college housing, has plentiful food sources for a colony. Organic particles floating in the air, structural components, and student belongings are a few simple examples. <\/p>\n

That leaves moisture as the missing component. When it comes to these aging buildings that aren\u2019t always properly maintained and are constantly full of young adults (who don\u2019t always clean as they should), numerous issues can pop up and create opportunities for contaminant growth.<\/p>\n

Common Issues Leading to Mold in College Dorm Rooms<\/h3>\n
  • Burst pipes <\/span><\/li>\n
  • Flooding <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • High humidity indoors <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lack of ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Aging HVAC systems, pipes, caulk, grout, and plumbing<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Improper building maintenance, such as HVAC system servicing<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lack of cleaning<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Inadequate air quality measures<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

    What Can You Do?<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

    Before You Move In<\/h5>\n

    In addition to sheets, clothes and toiletries, here are some things you can bring to ensure your dorm room is a healthy environment.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

    What To Look For<\/h5>\n

    Here\u2019s how to check your dorm for mold. Catching a problem early can save you from unwanted exposures and contaminated belongings.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

    Preventing Mold<\/h5>\n

    Mold prevention should be at the top of all students’ lists of priorities. The cleaner the dorm room is, the healthier it will be, and the fewer opportunities there will be for mold!<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

    If You Suspect Mold <\/h5>\n

    Found mold in your dorm room? Here are some strategies to ensure it\u2019s handled quickly AND correctly so you\u2019re not breathing contaminated air.<\/p>\n

    The Potential Health Impacts<\/h2>\n

    When the body encounters a few mold particles, spores, or toxins throughout the day (which is unavoidable), it will activate the immune system to get rid of them.<\/p>\n

    Typically, a few particles throughout a single day aren\u2019t a problem. When mold grows within a home, though, the body isn\u2019t facing down a few problematic particles; it\u2019s confronting an entire army of them. As that mold colony grows, it continues to release spores (and sometimes mycotoxins) into that indoor environment. Those particles will float along with the indoor air current to wherever it leads, whether it’s throughout the room where the mold colony is growing or to other areas of the house. They\u2019ll also land on whatever surface they come into contact with. <\/p>\n

    An important factor to consider here is how college dorms are built. There\u2019s very little airflow between the indoor and outdoor environments. That means that most of those particles remain within the home. It\u2019s essentially like living in a particle-filled contamination bubble where you\u2019re constantly breathing in contaminated air and touching contaminated surfaces. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

    Mold Exposure Symptoms<\/h3>\n

    Below are some common symptoms of prolonged mold exposure:<\/p>\n