Mold is experienced by Eastern NC residents not only as a biological contaminant but as a lived, socio-environmental challenge shaped by health, housing, and financial vulnerabilities. Participants in this study indicated serious health concerns related to mold, including after specific events such as large storms and flooding. Acceptance of microbiome-engineering solutions will depend on building trust, addressing equity, and ensuring accessibility. By bridging environmental science, social science, and residents' lived experiences, policies and technologies can more effectively strengthen resilience against one of the most persistent risks in the built environment.
Barry et al. (Tue,) studied this question.