These levels of indoor air pollutants are of concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors. Molds growing inside American homes, schools and offices can be a particular problem in wet weather. Mold can be black, gray, brown, green or reddish. Any stain appearing in damp area is suspect. Not all molds are toxic, but even common molds can reach toxic levels.
Some molds produce airborne toxins, called mycotoxins.
That means as many as 7,500 public schools have indoor air problems related to mold. Molds can start growing any time water leaks, and schools, many of which have flat roofs that collect water, are notorious for leaks. Students and teachers at Hunter Elementary School in Raleigh, North Carolina are struggling with those problems right now. Wake County school officials said Friday that they cannot definitely link the building to teachers' and students' health concerns, but they are taking steps to identify and solve the problem. Early in the year 2000, television viewers were treated to the horror story of how mold left a new million dollar mansion fit only for the wrecking ball and wrecked the lives of its occupants.