By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Monsoon storms may bring relief from the heat, but the moisture left behind can create a health hazard inside homes.
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Pima County health officials say mold can spread in less than 48 hours after moisture becomes trapped. John Neatherlin of the Pima County Health Department said mold exposure can produce a range of respiratory symptoms.
“We see respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, sore throat, asthma attack or worsening asthma,” Neatherlin said.
Wesley Moore, owner of K9 Mold Detection, said he’s seen the effects extend beyond the respiratory system in his clients.
“They feel like crap, brain’s foggy they just really don’t feel good. On women, it can show up as hormone issues, thyroid issues,” Moore said.
Common causes include a leaky roof, flooding after a storm, or an air conditioning unit or evaporative cooler that is not draining properly. That makes summer the busiest season for Arizona businesses like K9 Mold Detection.
Because mold can be difficult to locate, Moore uses a Belgian Malinois named Dolly to assist with inspections. She’s been trained for months by police units that train narcotics dogs. With an extremely strong sense of smell, Moore says Dolly is able to identify mold that standard testing can miss.
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“She picks up on those vapors and VOC’s and she’s able to detect and find out where it’s hiding,” Moore said.
Neatherlin said prevention is key, in part because mold remediation is typically not covered by insurance.
“Make sure that your house — if you have a leaky roof, you need to get that fixed. Condensation of your air conditioner needs to drain correctly,” Neatherlin said.
Moore said homeowners should pay attention to unusual smells and can use a moisture meter and flashlight to search for mold on their own.
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