Concerns over mold in housing on and off campus have prompted reports by students at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB). The issue of mold plagues many coastal communities, including Monterey County, particularly during wet months.
The looming threat of mold may come as a surprise to students moving to the Central Coast from drier climates. Occasional, contained cases can be common and are typically no cause for concern, provided residents address them immediately. Untreated outbreaks or those involving black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum), however, can pose serious health risks, especially for those with respiratory conditions or illnesses.
A CSUMB spokesperson reported that the school received 38 work orders related to mold concerns in the last year. “We encourage any student who is experiencing an issue with mold to immediately report the issue to a resident advisor who will file a maintenance request, and who can assist them if a move is required,” they said in an email.
The spokesperson also maintains that none of those 38 reports “were mold upon inspection.” The spokesperson did not speculate on what could be prompting the dozens of reports if not mold, nor did they speak on the procedures leading up to an inspection.
In an article the Lutrinae published in May 2024, public information officer Walter Ryce discussed the outcome of the 17 mold reports filed that spring. “At least three of these cases were minimal with mold on shower curtains that were cleaned or replaced,” Ryce said at the time. “In cases that were more extensive, external vendors were called in to test for mold, clean the space and repair any damaged surfaces.”
Mold outbreaks, which typically occur around windows or in bathrooms, are most frequent during the wet season. In Monterey, that typically aligns with winter months but can extend through the end of April, according to a 2025 See Monterey article. The area receives as much as four inches of rain each month during that time. This creates an ideal environment for mold, which thrives in humid conditions, in and around heated buildings.
Effectively treating a mold outbreak requires swift, thorough cleaning and careful steps to protect the health of those involved. The Monterey County Health Department recommends scrubbing affected areas with household cleaner, disinfecting with a mix of bleach and water and air drying for 1-2 days. Never mix bleach and ammonia, as the resulting fumes can be toxic. Gloves should also be worn throughout mold cleanup, and those with asthma or other respiratory conditions should not participate.
Efforts to curb mold problems in coastal housing continue at both local and national levels. U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, whose district includes CSUMB and the entire coastline of Monterey Bay, introduced the Military Occupancy Living Defense MOLD Act last month, aiming to enforce health standards for mold outbreaks in privatized military housing. The CSUMB campus, built around the decommissioned Fort Ord in 1994, is not covered by the bill and will need to find its own pathway to protections for students.