Mold in College Dorms

Before You Move In

Similar to a “back to school supply list” they provide before moving into the dorm, students should include a “mold prevention” supply list before moving into the dorm. That way, they’re set up to successfully promote healthy air quality.

Items on the list should include:

• Botanical cleaning products for surfaces (Benfect Decon 30 is a great option)
• Botanical laundry additive (EC3 is a great option)
• Hydrogen peroxide (this is great for surfaces such as grout and caulk)
• White vinegar for appliances
• Microfiber towels
• An air purifier
• A HEPA vacuum cleaner
• A calendar with dates for mold prevention tasks (like cleaning)
• A hygrometer

What To Look For

Checking for mold should be done on the very first day that the student moves in. Once belongings are moved into a dorm with current mold contamination, they will become cross-contaminated with microscopic particles such as mold spores, fragments, mycotoxins, and bacteria. These items will then need to be cleaned or discarded, depending on their porosity type, to ensure that the student no longer experiences exposure.

Synopsis: 

1. Visual inspection for growth or water damage
2. Odors
3. Chronic symptoms 
   

Do a Visual Inspection

Use that flashlight and look at every little crack and crevice in the dorm and bathroom. Keep in mind that you’re not only looking for mold but also water damage as well. Where there’s moisture, there’s an opportunity for this fungus to grow.

When it comes to visible mold, look for any discoloration or abnormalities. With over 100,000 species out there, mold can come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and textures, so look for any sort of abnormality. The most common colors include green, white, grey, blue, red, black, brown, or the infamous pink. As for textures, they could be fuzzy, powdery, velvety, or slimy.

As for water damage, visible issues that indicate a moisture problem include:

• Coffee-like stains on ceilings or walls
• Discolored carpeting 
• Peeling, cracked, or bubbling wallpaper 
• Peeling or bubbling paint 

Some of the top areas to check for problems include: 

• Window AC units 
• Ceilings 
• Closets 
• Underneath beds
• Windowsills and doorframes 
• Air vents 
• Underneath sinks 
• Inside cabinets
• Grout and caulk
• Toilet tank 

Does it Smell In There?

If you don’t find any visible mold, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t a problem. The growth could be in a hidden location, like the inside of a wall, or too small to be visible.

In this case, rely on your nose. Mold growth often creates a damp, musty, earthy, cigar-like smell due to the release of gases called microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC). If you smell it in the space, there’s a good chance that you’re dealing with mold in college dorms.

How Do You Feel?

Pay attention to your body and how you feel. Did you walk into the room and feel off? 

Our bodies are amazing warning systems that will let us know when something is wrong. If you start feeling unwell, those invisible particles could be making their way inside your body and wreaking havoc, causing your immune system to sound the alarm and push for you to get out of that situation. Always listen to your body when it’s saying, "Hey, something is definitely not right here. We need to go."

Preventing Mold

Steps to prevent mold and promote healthy air quality include:

• Creating daily and deep cleaning schedules and sticking to them
• Using proper cleaning products, including EPA-approved botanical cleaners, HEPA vacuums, and microfiber towels
• Wiping up any spills asap
• Not letting wet clothing, towels, or umbrellas sit around- hang them up to dry thoroughly
• Getting an air purifier to regularly remove particles from the indoor air- make sure it will actually remove these small particles and eliminate them all of the time, not just some of the time
• Maintaining indoor humidity levels of 35-50%
• Keeping windows and doors closed when the AC is on
• Turning on the exhaust fans while showering and if possible, crack a window or door
• Investing in dehumidifiers for the bathroom if there are no exhaust fans/the humidity just will not go down or ask for the university to provide one (make sure to regularly clean these!)
• Checking for any leaks at least once a month.
• Cleaning the window AC unit regularly
• Not frequently fluctuating the temperature in the room(this can lead to condensation)
• Not blocking airflow
• Using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s a great start toward creating a healthier and safer indoor space. From there, it’s up to the campus to mitigate moldy opportunities.

If You Suspect Mold

If it’s your first day in the dorm, do not move your things in until this situation is resolved. As soon as your belongings are inside, all of those particles will make their way onto the surfaces and contaminate them. This means everything will need to be deep cleaned, and for those who are experiencing reactions from exposure, many will need to be tossed out and replaced.

Anyone who finds mold in college dorms should alert the institution ASAP. Whether that be University Housing or Environmental Services, let them know that there’s a problem and that it needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. The longer you’re in that space, the more contaminants will enter your body. 

Ask to be relocated immediately until the issue is resolved, or transfer dorm rooms if you’re not confident that they can handle the problem properly. 

No Response?
If you don’t hear back promptly, start making calls to other departments or show up in person at the office. Again, there’s no such thing as going over the top when it comes to these issues. If nothing comes of this, that’s when the situation becomes tricky. The lack of laws and regulations regarding indoor environments and contaminants like mold makes requesting corrective action difficult.  

One option is contacting a "toxic tort" attorney in your area who can advise you of your rights. Unfortunately, the rights vary from state to state, so you’ll need someone who is knowledgeable and able to handle specific regulations in your area. With these in hand, you can start down the right path to make sure you have safe housing.

Another option is to contact local news departments to shine a light on the issue. Speak with other students to see if they’re having issues as well, and check to see if the campus has a history of mold-related issues in their dorms or other facilities.

Finally, consider hiring your own mold inspector or completing at-home tests to determine the extent of the problem. The more data you can gather to back up your case, the better. 

Basically, do whatever you can to sound the alarm on this issue and ensure that it’s addressed. And in the meantime, limit exposure as much as possible by staying out of the room, deep cleaning to remove contaminants, and working on improving the air quality.