Mold mystery frustrates Suffolk family

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A Suffolk family discovered they lived in a potentially toxic house for years without ever seeing or smelling anything that would make them think they had mold.

The Harrod's house was built 12 years ago. For the first seven years, there were no problems. Then Mia Harrod, a wife and mother, started becoming ill.

Mia Harrod wants other families to be aware that sometimes, mold is an invisible threat.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mia could only look through the window of her family's dream home, from the outside. She said it is too dangerous for her, her husband, or children to live in.

"I just felt helpless as a mother because my children were always sick," she said.

The seemingly healthy children have had health problems for years. For 5-year-old Riley trouble started the day he was born.

"Chronic sinus infections, chronic ear infections. My son was so sick that he came out of me with fungus on his eyes," she said.

The little boy had four surgeries. Older sister Jordan runs a temperature of just over 99 all the time.

Harrod said she and her husband were determined to get the kids healthy.

"There are two full cabinets... full of vitamins and medicines trying to get them better. We spent thousands of dollars on medicines trying to get them better and me better and nothing worked," she said

She also said she received several mis-diagnoses while living in the home.

"They said I had chronic fatigue syndrome. They said I had fibromyalgia. They said I had multiple sclerosis, all these disorders and it turned out I didn't have any of that. It was mold poisoning."

Last week, while watching a television program, Harrod saw a bed-ridden woman with pains and fatigue like hers.

"The light bulb went off. I said this is what's wrong with me. This is it. So I called my husband at work and said, 'I think I've figured out what's wrong with us. Can we please get a mold inspection?'" she said.

On Friday inspectors took samples from the carpet, the air, and surfaces in the home. 10 On Your Side received the results, and went over them with Simon Kiser, who owns the inspection company, Allergenie, Inc.

"At certain species, the home has eight to 10 times what's found outside or what is the base line level," said Kiser.

The analysis, completed by Aerobiology Laboratory, showed mold spore counts at levels Kiser says can impact health.

"It is not normal," he said. "And I am not surprised the homeowners are having health problems."

The Harrod's felt the new information called for new living arrangements--no matter what.

"We're just staying on couches," said Harrod. "We slept on the floor last night at a friends house. This kids stayed at another friends house."

On Tuesday, the family traveled to Maryland to see a doctor who specializes in mold cases. Harrod said he started her on treatment to combat adrenal and cognitive damage attributed to the mold. The children will also receive treatment.

Even with some answers to their health problems, the Harrods have questions about the future of their home. They're even considering moving into the two-car garage they just built a few years ago.

And their homeowners insurance policy, like most, does not cover mold.

Some companies allow people to buy mold coverage at an additional cost. However, due to environmental clauses and caps, it may not cover the tens of thousands of dollars to fix the problems.

The Harrods had representatives from a couple of companies check out their home. Allergenie, which collected the samples, has an "A" rating from the Better Business Bureau. The inspector found a small amount of standing water near the HVAC system, but there was no visible mold in the area.

A representative from a second business suggested remediation could cost more than $50,000. Someone with the company said that they are not certified to test for mold.

For now both companies say additional testing, possibly in the walls or under the floors, is required.

The Better Business Bureau in Southeastern Virginia and Northeast North Carolina released a warning last month urging consumers to use caution when seeking help in detecting and correcting mold problems.

The BBB offers these suggestions: Check the Company Out With BBB, Look for the Fine Print, Get a Second Opinion.

"If the duct cleaner discovers that you have a mold problem, get a second opinion. Mold remediation can cost thousands of dollars so you’ll want expert advice on how to take care of it."