A hearing entitled Mold: A Growing Problem addressed a trend among insurance companies refusing to cover mold-related property damages. NMHC and NAA urged Congress to establish scientifically based health standards on the issue with the help of a multi-industry task force.

"Owners of all types of property, ranging from single-family homes to large office parks, schools, and libraries are experiencing unprecedented increases in the premiums for their property and liability insurance policies because insurers are dealing with unprecedented mold claims," the organizations claimed in the written testimony. "We understand that the insurance industry needs to meet certain financial objectives, but property owners, including cities and towns are increasingly finding themselves disenfranchised by the system."

NMHC and NAA are not alone in their pursuits. Michigan Rep. John Conyers Jr. recently proposed the Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act, legislation that would protect consumers from the physical and financial ramifications of toxic-mold exposure.