有關"發霉"買賣房屋提示
 

近期數間全國大規模房屋保險公司 State Farm Insurance 等公報停受新保單。原因:911事件賠償額高,公司投資因經濟疲弱受損;加上最近"霉毒"訟訴事件日增,房保公司暫時只能照顧舊客戶,本文專題"發霉"有關大家關注的事項。

(I) "毒霉"為何物 (What are Toxic Mold?)

通常在房屋角落,屋簷,廚浴,貼外內牆等處會發現些灰黑點;摸上去濕濕的,聞上去有股潮濕發霉氣味,以往大家都不以為然,用些清潔劑抹掉就算;新環保節省能源 (Energy Saving) 的房子都會發現"毒霉"!


(II) 健康問題(Health Issues)

愈來愈多報告矛頭指向"毒霉"(Toxic Mold)引致氣管,呼吸,皮膚,流鼻血,喉乾咳嗽,風濕骨痛,發熱,失憶及其他敏感病徵,雖然目前還沒有明確的科學證據指證"毒霉"(Toxic Mold)引致氣管問題(Respiratory Probleas)以外的發重疾病(Serious Illnesses),"毒霉"引起的訴訟(Lawsuits)卻有如雨後春筍。


(III) 預防勝於治療(Proper Mainterance Preventive Measure)

1. 保持乾燥(Keep Dry)包括內外牆及處理枯木(Repard Dry Rot)
2. 處理漏水(Leak),積水(Standing Water)可用吸水機(Wet Vacuum)
3. 杜絕漏水根源(Correct Source of Leak)如換新屋頂,新窗,乾衣機要有通氣系統
4. 保持空氣流動(Good Ventilation)清除"發霉"黑點外,尤其廚房浴室要打開窗,門,櫥櫃
5. 密室,土庫等處可用流動電風扇(Portable Fan)幫助氣流(Air Circulation)另可用乾濕器(Dehumidifiers),冷氣機(Air-conditioners)等。
6. 留意室內過高溫度(High Heat)反而會增速發霉成長(Increase Mold Growth)
7. 拋掉潮霉物品式家具,如地毯,床鋪,沙發等(Discard moldy carpet & rug, mattresses & furniture)


(IV) 金錢損失(Financial Woes)

房屋保險公司Farmers Insurance去年上半年度已支付$85,000,000毒霉訴訟賠償(Mold Claims),毒霉已成目前最新的訟訴熱點(Legal Hot spot),有木棉(Asbetos)前科的影子。保險公司除停止新保單外,現正與政府策劃法律賠償等各方面定議及指示(legal rules)。消費者苦主方面亦因少少的發霉引致健康及金錢上無底的損失!


(V) "毒霉"提示(Mold Disclosures)

目前政府規例全美及加州房地產經紀協會(NAR, CAR)亦贊同經紀職責要業主(Sellers),買客(Buyers)及租客(Renters)簽"毒霉"提示(Mold Disclosure)業主地震及環保手冊(Homeowners Guide to Earthquake Safety & Enironmental Hazards)亦加了"毒霉"提示(Toxic Mold Update)請同業與消費者留意!

其他有關資料(Resource Informations)
"家有發霉如何是好"﹖
Mold in my home, What Do I Do?
California Department of Health Services
Indoor air Quality Section
2151 Berkeley Way (EHLB)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Telephone:510-540-2476
Web:www.dhs-iaq.ca.gov

毒霉,空氣質素資料
General Information Molds, Toxic Molds, and Indoor Air Quality
www.cal-iaq.org/mold

家居生物污染品
Biological Pollutants in Your Home
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
LAQ Information Clearinghouse
Telephone:1-800-438-4318
Web:www.epa.gov

淹水後維修
Repairing Your Flooded Home
American Red Cross
8928 Volunteer lane
Sacramento, CA 95826
Telephone:916-368-3131
Web:www.redcross.org
for local Assistance, contact your county or city Department of Health, Housing, or Environmental Health

另請閣下檢閱房屋保險單受保細節詳情。