Report Finds Texas Green-Friendly, Not in a Good Way

If you've ever signed a lease on an apartment or purchased older property here in Austin, you're probably all too familiar with our raging mold problem. We always assumed it was the relative humidity coupled with the heat, but a recent study published by the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) seems to indicate otherwise.

GEI's Top 10 States at Risk for Mold calls Texas, not surprisingly, the moldiest state in the country. Computed by analyzing "mold losses" on insurance claims in each of the 50 states (and not including hurricane-related damage), the rankings end up including both wet and dry climates among the top ten:

• Texas 2.95
• Florida 2.50
• Oklahoma 2.45
• South Carolina 1.91
• Nevada 1.90
• Arizona 1.90
• California 1.73
• South Dakota 1.47
• Tennessee 1.33
• Kansas 1.25

"Think of a glass of ice water sitting on your porch in 95-degree heat," said Carl Smith, CEO/Executive Director of GEI. "Condensation quickly forms on the outside of the glass, but unlike your drink, condensation in a home or business has nowhere to run off so it builds up in the cavities of the structure, creating an ideal climate for mold contamination."

Less spore-friendly states included Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Minnesota.

["A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home"]

*Photo by ronnieb from morgueFile