Mold & Moisture - Causes destructive
damage (cosmetic) and can exacerbate asthma
and allergies in highly sensitive
populations. Mold is virtually everywhere,
floating in the air and on all surfaces.
They can grow on virtually any organic
substance; as long as moisture and oxygen
are present. Although it is impossible to
eliminate all mold and mold spores in the
indoor environment, it can be managed by
controlling moisture in the home.
The Florida Department of Health does not
provide mold testing.
If you suspect your home has poor indoor air
quality and you are exhibiting various
health symptoms, seek a licensed health care
provider.
If your health care provider concludes that
your symptoms are associated with your
indoor air quality or to report a reportable
disease, they must contact the Division of
Epidemiology and Disease Control of the Palm
Health Department at (561) 671-4184.
For additional technical support, contact
the Florida Department of Health Indoor Air
Quality Program Headquarters in Tallahassee
at (800) 543-8279.
Suggestions, References and
Resources
For Homeowners
-
For guidance regarding mold,
moisture and your home, consult the
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) guidelines:
www.epa.gov
-
EPA guidance regarding Mold
Remediation:
www.epa.gov
As of July 1, 2011, FL the
Florida Department of Business and
Professional Regulation is now
licensing Mold Assessors and Mold
Remediators
-
For information regarding DBPR’s
Mold-related services licensing
program:
www.myfloridalicense.com
For information regarding Indoor Air
Quality Consultants:
-
For the
Florida Department of Health
(FDOH) Indoor Air Quality Business
Listing:
www.myfloridaeh.com
-
Consumer Brochure: Guidelines for
Selecting an Indoor Air Quality
Consultant:
www.aiha.org
-
American Industrial Hygiene
Association's (AIHA) Consultant
listing:
www.aiha.org
-
US EPA, Building Air Quality: A
Guide for Building Owners and
Managers Section 8: Hiring
Professional Assistance to Solve and IAQ Problem
www.epa.gov
Safety & Sanitation Complaints at
Apartments
(public lodging establishments):
-
If your apartment complex is a
"public lodging facility" as defined
by Florida Statutes
www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr
then it is licensed by the
Florida Department of Business and
Professional Regulation (FL DBPR).
FL DBPR's Division of Hotels &
Restaurants is authorized to inspect
public lodging establishments for
safety and sanitation issues.
-
File a complaint online:
www.myfloridalicense.com
-
Download and Print the Consumer
Complaint Form:
www.myflorida.com/dbpr
Informal Mediation and Consumer
Complaints
-
Florida Department of Business
and Professional Regulation If your apartment complex is a
"public lodging facility" as defined
by Florida Statutes
www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr
then it is licensed by the
Florida Department of Business and
Professional Regulation (Florida
DBPR). FL DBPR's Division of Hotels
& Restaurants is authorized to
inspect public lodging
establishments for safety and
sanitation issues.
File a complaint online:
www.myfloridalicense.com
Download and Print the
Consumer Complaint Form:
www.myflorida.com/dbpr
-
Florida Department of
Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Consumer Services
1-800-HELP-FLA
www.800helpfla.com
-
Florida Landlord and Tenant
Law: Consider reviewing this
law regarding the obligations,
responsibilities and rights of
landlords and tenants in Florida:
Florida's Landlord/Tenant Law
(Brochure) Summary of
Chapter 83, Part II: Florida
Statutes
www.800helpfla.com
Florida Residential Landlord and
Tenant Act (the Law)
www.leg.state.fl.us
For Civil Law and Assistance with legal
matters:
-
If (civil law, tort law, landlord
and tenant law, contractual law,
etc.) - consider seeking the
services of a legal professional or
your local Clerk of the Court.
Local Code Enforcement/Building/Housing
Department
-
If you have reason to believe the
building owners have violated a city
or county code or ordinance
regarding minimum property
maintenance or housing codes (should
such codes/ordinances exist), you
should contact your local code
enforcement office, building or
housing department.
You can find many of these local
government websites (including
contact information for code
enforcement offices) by using either
of these two websites:
www.myflorida.com/cities
/
www.myflorida.com/counties
Regarding Businesses, Commercial
Buildings and Employee Safety:
-
For information or complaints
regarding an employee or workplace,
contact the Occupational Safety and
Health Agency (OSHA) at (954)
424-0242.
Business owners of employers can
voluntarily request an employee
safety inspection of the workplace.
Contact the University of Safety
Florida Program at (866) 273-1105.
Employees, employee representatives,
or employers can request assistance
from the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
in finding whether health hazards
are present at their place of work.
For information or to request a
Health Hazard Evaluation, go
www.cdc.gov
General mold information:
