Is your home making you sick?

Part 1: Your home

1. Is there a musty or earthy smell anywhere, even faintly or only sometimes?Odor is often the first clue to hidden mold growth.
2. Has the home ever had a leak, flood, roof problem or plumbing issue?Water damage, even years ago, can leave mold behind walls, under floors or in cabinets.
3. Do you see stains, discoloration, peeling paint or warped materials on walls or ceilings?These can signal moisture that has been there a while.
4. Is there condensation on windows, or high humidity in bathrooms or the basement?Persistent moisture lets mold grow.
5. Do you use an evaporative (swamp) cooler, or has the HVAC system not been inspected in years?Cooling systems and ductwork can harbor and spread mold.
6. Is the home older, with original paint, plumbing or fixtures?Older homes can contain lead in paint, dust or pipes.
7. Do you drink untested well water?Well water can contain arsenic, lead or other contaminants.
8. Is there a sewage or rotten-egg smell, or rarely used drains and showers?Dry drain traps and plumbing defects can let sewer gas in.

Part 2: How you feel

Do any of these sound familiar?

• Fatigue, brain fog or headaches that are worse at home or at work
• Symptoms that ease when you travel and return when you come back
• Sinus congestion, cough or shortness of breath without a clear cause
• New sensitivities to foods, smells, chemicals or light
• Other people or pets in the home are also unwell
• Labs that keep coming back “normal” even though you don’t feel well

What your answers may mean

If you checked several boxes in both parts, an environmental exposure may be worth looking into. Most of these signs have other possible causes too, so treat this as a starting point, not a diagnosis.

Next steps

1. Don’t disturb visible mold yourself. Large areas should be assessed and removed by qualified professionals.
2. Consider an inspection by a qualified indoor environmental professional, and testing of well water if you use it.
3. Talk with a clinician experienced in environmental medicine about your symptoms and history. Learn about mold exposure symptoms and treatment →

Safety: a strong gas or rotten-egg smell with dizziness or trouble breathing can be an emergency. Leave the building and call 911 or your utility.

I checked several boxes. What should I do next?

Consider having your home inspected by a qualified indoor environmental professional, and talk with a clinician experienced in environmental medicine about your symptoms. Avoid disturbing large areas of mold yourself.

Does checking these boxes mean I have mold illness?

No. This checklist is a starting point for awareness, not a diagnosis. Many of these signs and symptoms have other causes, so an individual assessment is important.

This checklist is general education, not medical advice, and does not create a doctor–patient relationship.

apollohealthclinic.com · Dr. Sam Madeira, NMD · Free discovery call: calendly.com/doctormadeira/discoverycall