Could mold/mildew be causing this?? - Environmental Disorders Message Board

PajamaMomma · 07-16-2004, 08:17 AM

When I moved into my apartment, I noticed some greenish stains under my kitchen disposal... but didn't think much of it. A few months later I noticed a nasty smell and realized that the bucket under my sink that held cleaning products was partly filled w/ moldy water. I had maint. come, and they replaced my disposal because it was leaking and clogged, and could not be fixed. Now, under my sink on the boards there is a green, black and blueish film, which is smelly and drawing gnats into my kitchen (icky!). I had maint. come back and check it out. They say it's just stained, and not a health hazard - but I don't believe that.
The last couple months I have noticed that I'm getting throat and nasal congestion and sometimes a runny nose more than usual. Also, my 3 yr old has been having bouts w/ vomiting and diarrhea about twice a month for no appearant reason. I also have an 8 yr old who is medically fragile, that seems to be coughing alot more than normal. Could any of theese problems possibly be caused by the mold under my sink? My 3 yr old tends to open and close the cabinet door under the sink alot (there are no handles, and there is no magnetic lock, and we are not permitted to put one on), but my other child is never even near it. Obviously, I am near it alot while working in the kitchen.
Maint. refuses to replace the boards or do anything about it. I feel this is a health hazard! What do you all think? Should I call the health department or housing authority in my area? I know this was a long post...thanks to all who took the time to read it!

bjlauder · 07-16-2004, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PajamaMomma

When I moved into my apartment, I noticed some greenish stains under my kitchen disposal... but didn't think much of it. A few months later I noticed a nasty smell and realized that the bucket under my sink that held cleaning products was partly filled w/ moldy water. I had maint. come, and they replaced my disposal because it was leaking and clogged, and could not be fixed. Now, under my sink on the boards there is a green, black and blueish film, which is smelly and drawing gnats into my kitchen (icky!). I had maint. come back and check it out. They say it's just stained, and not a health hazard - but I don't believe that.
The last couple months I have noticed that I'm getting throat and nasal congestion and sometimes a runny nose more than usual. Also, my 3 yr old has been having bouts w/ vomiting and diarrhea about twice a month for no appearant reason. I also have an 8 yr old who is medically fragile, that seems to be coughing alot more than normal. Could any of theese problems possibly be caused by the mold under my sink? My 3 yr old tends to open and close the cabinet door under the sink alot (there are no handles, and there is no magnetic lock, and we are not permitted to put one on), but my other child is never even near it. Obviously, I am near it alot while working in the kitchen.
Maint. refuses to replace the boards or do anything about it. I feel this is a health hazard! What do you all think? Should I call the health department or housing authority in my area? I know this was a long post...thanks to all who took the time to read it!

Housing Authority? Are you in public housing or Section 8? If yes, I WOULD call the Housing Authority, but only after making a request to the property management company in writing!!! Maintenance guys don't know anything about the health concerns of families, but property managers do... and if they claim not to know, they are either dishonest or stupid. It's MUCH cheaper for them to clean up the mess then to have a legal battle. The Housing Authority will also demand that they make the repairs needed. Use the Health Department as a last resort. They can shut the place down and send you packing... and while the Housing Authority may allow you to find another place to live if the Health Department closes your place down, it's a huge pain!

Please understand that this is just my opinion, but I was a property manager for a federally funded program and I am also a sufferer of some sort of apartment-related chemical/allergen!

Good luck!

bjlauder · 07-16-2004, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PajamaMomma

When I moved into my apartment, I noticed some greenish stains under my kitchen disposal... but didn't think much of it. A few months later I noticed a nasty smell and realized that the bucket under my sink that held cleaning products was partly filled w/ moldy water. I had maint. come, and they replaced my disposal because it was leaking and clogged, and could not be fixed. Now, under my sink on the boards there is a green, black and blueish film, which is smelly and drawing gnats into my kitchen (icky!). I had maint. come back and check it out. They say it's just stained, and not a health hazard - but I don't believe that.
The last couple months I have noticed that I'm getting throat and nasal congestion and sometimes a runny nose more than usual. Also, my 3 yr old has been having bouts w/ vomiting and diarrhea about twice a month for no appearant reason. I also have an 8 yr old who is medically fragile, that seems to be coughing alot more than normal. Could any of theese problems possibly be caused by the mold under my sink? My 3 yr old tends to open and close the cabinet door under the sink alot (there are no handles, and there is no magnetic lock, and we are not permitted to put one on), but my other child is never even near it. Obviously, I am near it alot while working in the kitchen.
Maint. refuses to replace the boards or do anything about it. I feel this is a health hazard! What do you all think? Should I call the health department or housing authority in my area? I know this was a long post...thanks to all who took the time to read it!

By the way, get your sons and yourself out of there if you are all having health problems. I’ve thought of leaving my place, and did leave an apartment before, when I was having trouble. My wife and 2 year old daughter don’t seem to be having trouble, so I am not overly concerned. I think your case is different.

Remember a good property manager will want to prevent health problems as well as legal ones. This goes for the clean up and repairs, but it also goes for a formal request to install cabinet latches. It is crazy for a P.M. to deny such a request when a child’s health hangs in the balance!!! Additionally, a good maintenance person is good at maintenance, not decision-making… and will try to limit the amount of work he or she has to do. Go directly to the decision-maker!!!

PajamaMomma · 07-16-2004, 08:58 AM

Thanks for the reply! No, I don't live in public housing or have section 8. I live in an apartment with quite a high rent rate. I should have been more clear - when I wrote housing authority, I meant the local housing commision or whoever takes care of these matters.
Right after I made that post, I called the rental office again. They are sending yet another maintenance person over to look at the problem. Hopefully, this time something will be done about it!

bjlauder · 07-16-2004, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PajamaMomma

Thanks for the reply! No, I don't live in public housing or have section 8. I live in an apartment with quite a high rent rate. I should have been more clear - when I wrote housing authority, I meant the local housing commision or whoever takes care of these matters.
Right after I made that post, I called the rental office again. They are sending yet another maintenance person over to look at the problem. Hopefully, this time something will be done about it!

Good! Document all of your requests and take pictures (important). If you are paying high rent (as I am), your P.M. should expect that you do not want to live with stains and mold/mildew. I'm afraid that you will get no where with maintenance until you can make the P.M. understand!

I am not familiar with a local housing commission in my area. So I guess I'd call the BBB. Perhaps you can call your housing commission and ask for advice without bringing the governmental rath down on your landlord!

Again, good luck!