BYE BYE BLACK MOLD: Hoboken Aims to Help Residents Impacted By Household Mold Issues

(ABOVE: image via HGTV.com)

One of the biggest concerns immediately after Superstorm Sandy hit Hoboken was the amount of black mold that would pop up after the flood waters receded.

Of course your don’t need a catastrophic superstorm to have a black mold issue. In a town that floods as often as Hoboken, there’s plenty of moisture making its way into structures. Meanwhile, a leaky pipe or too much condensation is all it takes for Stachybotrys chartarum to manifest itself in a living space.

Hoboken, N.J., November 23, 2012 — Workmen cut sheet rock walls to prevent development of hazardous mold in this waterfront commercial building. Extensive damage to the first floor resulted from three feet of flooding from Hurricane Sandy. George Armstrong/FEMA

According to the CDC, reports indicate that there is sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.

Recently, the City of Hoboken passed new legislation over persistent mold issues being ignored by landlords. Caroline Caulfield, Hoboken’s Chief of Constituent Affairs, had heard complaints for dozens of residents citywide, leading the City to determine that in the absence of remediation planned by building owners, there were no local or state regulations to cite for mold contamination.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla reportedly asked the City’s Department of Health and Human Services to draft an ordinance to regulate mold in residential homes in the City of Hoboken, which was passed unanimously by the City Council.

According to the City, residents who need to report a substantial mold issue that is not remediated by a landlord or property owner can request an inspection by calling the Health Office at 201-420-2000 ext. 5205. Residents may also report a substantial mold issue through the Hoboken 311 website or by downloading the Hoboken 311 Mobile App.

“We want to make sure every resident is safe in their own home, especially children, and the new regulation will give the City the ability to regulate the unhealthy growth of mold,” said Mayor Bhalla. “This will allow any concerned resident to contact our Health Office, which can now help ensure tenants have mold-free living conditions.”

***