A KPRC 2 journalist, Paige Hubbard, bravely shares her harrowing experience of being poisoned by toxic black mold while living in Austin. Her story is a stark reminder of the silent danger that can lurk in our homes, affecting our health and quality of life. But here's where it gets controversial: despite the widespread impact of black mold, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms, and even more, struggle to get their concerns addressed by property management.
Paige's journey began in the winter of 2021 when she was working as a full-time reporter for KPRC 2. She was excited to start a new chapter in her career by taking a job at CBS Austin (KEYE) as a general assignment reporter. However, little did she know that her first story in Austin would be about residents demanding safer living conditions due to uninhabitable apartments. The most alarming complaints came from families who claimed they were being poisoned by black mold.
Fast forward to months later, and Paige found herself living that same story. She started making frequent trips to the ER and urgent care, feeling constantly sick despite having no underlying health issues before moving to Austin. After a friend pointed out a moldy patch above her shower, Paige began to suspect that her apartment might be the source of her problems.
Doctor after doctor told Paige it was just an upper respiratory infection, and tests came back normal. But there was one clue they couldn't explain: every time she left Austin and went home on the weekends, she felt fine. That's when it clicked: it wasn't her body; it was her apartment. Paige began demanding that property management investigate, but for months, she was brushed off and told nothing was wrong.
The signs became impossible to ignore, and mold even started growing on Paige's dishes. No longer feeling safe in her apartment, she started sleeping on her friend Bruna's couch and staying in hotels while still paying rent on the apartment she believed was poisoning her. Desperate for answers, she bought a home mold test kit, which detected elevated mold levels in her unit. But her apartment complex rejected the results, citing that the test was not certified.
Paige then spent $500 on a certified mold inspection, which revealed more than a million toxic mold spores of Stachybotrys mold in her unit. That's when she stormed into her property manager's office and demanded they look into the matter. After months of insisting nothing was wrong, the complex finally sent someone to inspect her apartment, and when they opened her HVAC system, they found it infested with black mold.
Even then, the complex resisted fully fixing the problem, and Paige had to turn to the courts. She hired a property tenant attorney to legally allow her to get out of the unit and a personal injury lawyer to help recover damages. Once she left the apartment, Paige's symptoms started to improve almost immediately, but the damage wasn't over. She had to throw the majority of her belongings away and undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy to recover.
Paige's experience is a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing the signs of black mold and taking action. She now uses her experience to advocate for others who feel trapped in mold-infested homes, offering advice on what to do if you think you are living with black mold. She emphasizes the importance of documenting everything, knowing your lease and legal rights, and not being afraid to stand up for yourself. Additionally, she provides information on Stachybotrys mold, its appearance, where it grows, toxins, health concerns, testing, and remediation.
Paige's story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of advocating for ourselves and others. By sharing her experience, she hopes to raise awareness about the dangers of black mold and empower others to take action to protect their health and well-being.
