Hafsat Abiola-Costello Tells How She Escaped Silent Killer

Kola Kehinde/

Exposures to damp and mouldy environments have been linked to several health challenges and millions of deaths every year, yet many people know little or nothing about this silent killer.

NewsmakersNG learnt that if you’re exposed for long enough, black mold/mould spores can shut down your organs, incapacitate your immune system, and damage your brain—resulting in death.

After a life-threatening experience, Mrs Hafsat Abiola-Costello has drawn public attention to how dangerous mould can be.

Abiola-Costello, the daughter of the late Nigerian Hero of Democracy, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, stated in a post on Facebook: “I was given a hotel room that had water damage and likely mould while attending a conference and although I was able to change the room after 48 hours, the damage to my lungs had already been done.

“Four weeks later, I’m still coughing but at least I no longer have a fever. And I’m still here. And so thankful for my husband, kids and sisters who took such good care of me.

“So apologies for the late New Year greetings. I have been trying to recover. My body may have been embattled but the experience helped clear my mind.

“Going into 2020, I feel that it is time for the orchestra to play. No more lone ranger moves. Now is the time we move like a force of nature that we become when we link our energies and strike for the prize.

“Here’s to us and all we’ll do together this year.”

To know why mould is so troubling and what should be done if you find it in your house or anywhere, read the following article published by freshome.com.

5 facts about mold

No home is immune from the possibility of mold. Image: David Papazian/Getty Images

According to Mark England, an AdvantaClean owner in Raleigh-Durham, NC, there are five facts that you should know about mould:

Mould grows quickly: It only takes 24 to 48 hours for mould to grow and spread in wet, warm conditions.

Mould is undetectable: Excessive moisture behind walls, under floors or in cabinets or closets are perfect breeding grounds for mould. This is a mold that you often can’t see or smell but it can make you and your family very sick.

Mould issues are expensive: Mold damage can cost as much as $10,000, and most insurance carriers will not cover the cost of mould removal.

Know the symptoms of mould exposure: They include severe body aches, joint pain, nausea and chronic, sometimes serious respiratory issues. These symptoms can develop quickly or over time.

Know the people at risk: The very young, the very old and people with compromised immune systems are most likely to be affected by mould. Mould can even be deadly among these groups of people.

So, how do you know if mould is present in your home? England tells Freshome that you can often see or smell it. “Mold usually has a green or black colour and it smells musty or earthy, sort of like the forest floor deep in the woods.”

England recommends an antimicrobial – for example, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or baking soda mixed with water – to kill mould or stop it from growing. “Spray one of these onto the mould area and remove with a scrub brush or disposable rag while wearing protective coverings such as face masks, gloves and shoe covers.”

If you treat mould yourself, always wear protection

You can remove mould with household products. Image: tobkatrina/Getty Images

In fact, preparation and protective wear are important parts of making sure that you’re removing – and not spreading – mould.

Robert Weitz is a certified microbial investigator and founder of RTK Environmental, a leading environmental testing firm. If you find mould, he recommends having a professional mould test to see if you can clean it yourself. If you can, he has a list of items that you’ll need:

• A mask or respirator to filter out the mould spores you’ll be disturbing
• Eye protection
• Rubber gloves
• Rags and a scrub brush
• Non-ammonia soap or detergent
• A large pail
• Bleach
• A fan and/or dehumidifier
• Work clothes, either old or white, since you will be using bleach
• A plastic garbage bag
• White vinegar

Directions for removing mould from a cement wall

If you opt to remove the mould yourself, make sure you don’t inadvertently spread it. Image: KatarzynaBialasiewicz

“Before removing black mould from a cement wall, dampen the mouldy area well with a rag and plain water,” Weitz advises. “This will keep the mould spores from disbursing through the air.” Next, he says you should try to remove as much of the mould as possible with a scrub brush and non-ammonia soap or detergent.

Weitz believes in the power of bleach and says it will remove any leftover mould and stop future mould growth. He instructs readers to add 1½ cups bleach to 1 gallon of water in a pail. “Wet the surface well with this mixture, letting it soak in for about 15 minutes. Then, scrub the area with the scrub brush and rinse well with clean, clear water.”

He recommends repeating the bleach steps until all visible mould is gone. “Next, use a fan and/or dehumidifier to dry the area well.” If any moisture is left, Weitz says your wall is subject to new mould growth.

Washing the mould off of your clothes is crucial

After cleaning up the mould, be sure to wash those clothes to kill the mould spores. Image: Hero Images/Getty Images

When you finish, he says to take off your work clothes, place them in a plastic bag and transport them to the washing machine. (Your clothes will be covered with mould spores and he says this will ensure you don’t track them through your house.) “Add ¾ cup white vinegar to your wash water to kill the mould on your clothes.”

Keep in mind, you need to ensure that you’re addressing the problem and not just a symptom of the problem. “When you come across mould in a home, it should be understood that you have a moisture issue first and a mould issue second,” says Evan Roberts, a real estate agent with Dependable Homebuyers in Baltimore, MD.  He tells Freshome that scrubbing surface mould with mould killer will not be effective if you do not address the moisture issue.

Remember that professionals have tools that you don’t

You have to address the source of the mould. Image: AndreyPopov/Getty Images

According to Jeff Miller, a real estate agent with AE Home Group in Maryland, “More often than not, the mould is either from a small plumbing leak or from a roof leak, so fix that first. If the mould is located under a bathroom or kitchen sink where there could be a plumbing leak, call a plumber to investigate.” Similarly, he recommends having a roofer inspect and seal any gaps in the roof if you see that’s the cause of the mould.

Miller recommends having the mould remediated by a professional. “They have access to the proper chemicals you need to ensure no mould residue after treatment, and they can test your home to ensure that the mould hasn’t spread.”

Kyle Rowley, mould remediation expert at Restoration 1 in Waco, TX, agrees. He says that mould can be tricky and dangerous. “Even if there has been no water damage to a property, mould can come from something as simple as a leaky window because moisture and mould go hand-in-hand.”

And because mould can cause so many problems, he says homeowners shouldn’t take any chances. “Having mould present can lead to allergens, irritants, mycotoxins, sneezing, breathing problems and long-term diseases,” Rowley says.

When you find mould while house hunting

When viewing houses, check basements, attics and crawl spaces. Image: Sisoje/Getty Images

The key to finding mould is knowing where to look for it. “Check dark, damp places for mould, like under cabinets and in basements, crawl spaces and attics,” advises Tina Tyus, a real estate broker at Town Square Realty in Birmingham, AL, and author of “So You Want to Flip Houses?”

Even if you don’t find mould, Tyus says a home inspector will be able to locate it if mould is present. “And if it’s found, mould remediation should be addressed prior to closing,” she says.

During the home inspection process, there’s an inspection contingency period and buyers have options, according to Shawn Kunkler, a San Francisco-based realtor and author of “Insider’s Guide to Home Buying.” If mould is discovered, he says this can be a point of negotiation or the prospective buyer may be able to walk away from the home.

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