Mold fever : how a bizarre life form penetrated popular consciousness and launched a creeping hysteria

Abstract

Molds are everywhere, lately: in our homes, newspapers, and courtrooms, and on our minds. In the past few years, mold has gone from a blip on the radar of public consciousness to a major force in home inspections, insurance, litigation, and testing. Never before have people been so concerned over a group of creatures that--undeniably--have been there all along. This thesis--written as a four-part newspaper series--details the mold hysteria phenomenon, the biology of indoor molds, the science of indoor mold and health, and the profit-making frenzy that capitalized on mold fever.