Source Details

{
    "source_type": "extension",
    "content_hash": "8f0d4be0a0a5548cdba39dbea7bbe2545c707b0f5fb4be162aacd9aed754d34f",
    "submitted_via": "chrome_extension",
    "extension_version": "1.0.18",
    "original_url": "https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/29\/realestate\/household-mold-search-traffic-trend.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20260214&instance_id=171090&nl=from-the-times&regi_id=122976029&segment_id=215276&user_id=b25c5730c89e0c73f75709d8f1254337",
    "parsed_content": "AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENTSupported bySKIP ADVERTISEMENTcalculatorPeople Are Getting Worried About Household Mold. Should You Be?Google searches for terms like \u201cmold toxicity\u201d and \u201cwhat is toxic mold\u201d have increased over the last five years, but it\u2019s unlikely that mold-related illness is also increasing.Listen to this article \u00b7 2:48 min Learn moreShare full articleCredit...Getty ImagesBy Dorie ChevlenJan. 29, 2026If it seems like everyone you know is talking about mold, it\u2019s because many of them are \u2014 or at least, they\u2019re curious about it. According to Google Trend data, searches for \u201chousehold mold\u201d and related terms have grown in popularity over the last five years; examples include \u201cmold toxicity symptoms,\u201d up 170 percent, and \u201cprofessional black mold removal,\u201d up 250 percent.The fascination has also spread on social media, with more than half a million videos tagged #mold on TikTok alone. But while mold chatter is certainly on the rise, a correlation with a higher incidence rate is harder to determine.\u201cThere\u2019s no standardized way of doing research on this, so that you can\u2019t take two snapshots in time and really compare them,\u201d said Jonathan Wilson, deputy director of the nonprofit National Center for Healthy Housing.\u201cI haven\u2019t seen research to show it\u2019s increasing,\u201d said Dr. Parham Azimi, research associate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In his research, Dr. Azimi mostly studies homes affected by hurricanes or extreme rainfall. Mold thrives in wet environments, and while there has been an increase in flooding across the United States in recent years, droughts have similarly been on the rise.Even if household mold is more prevalent, it may not be a cause for alarm. The vast majority of people exposed to mold suffer no ill effects, said Dr. Joshua Nosanchuk, a professor and microbiology researcher at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and an infectious disease physician at Montefiore Health System. A small number of people, mostly with compromised immune systems or allergies, could experience adverse health outcomes. \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s the catchall for all the ailments that people are having,\u201d Dr. Nosanchuk said.You can buy a mold test kit at a store, but the Centers for Disease Control warns that a reliable sample is expensive, and there are no set standards for acceptable quantities of different types of mold in the home. The Environmental Protection Agency advises that if you see or smell mold, you can get rid of it by using either soap and water or a bleach solution. For areas larger than 10 square feet, the E.P.A. recommends seeking professional help from an accredited company.Mold can\u2019t grow without moisture, so make sure to address any leaks or flooding immediately to prevent it from developing. One easy thing you can do, Dr. Azimi said, is open your windows more often. In his research, leaving them closed was a key indicator in the likelihood of mold prevalence.Dr. Nosanchuk acknowledged that molds can be dangerous, but also defended them. \u201cThey give us cheese, they give beer, they give L.S.D. \u2014 they do a lot of really cool things.\u201dDorie Chevlen covers real estate and the housing industry for The Times, and writes about home design and d\u00e9cor for Wirecutter.A version of this article appears in print on Feb. 1, 2026, Section RE, Page 2 of the New York edition with the headline: Why Mold Chatter Is Growing Online. Order Reprints | Today\u2019s Paper | SubscribeShare full articleRelated ContentAdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT",
    "ai_headline": "People Are Getting Worried About Household Mold. Should You Be?",
    "ai_simplified_title": "Online Searches Show Concern About Household Mold",
    "ai_excerpt": "Google searches for mold-related terms are increasing, but experts say it's unlikely that mold-related illness is also increasing. The article discusses the rise in online interest, potential health risks, and preventative measures.",
    "ai_subject_tags": [
        "Mold",
        "Household Health",
        "Google Trends",
        "Public Health",
        "Real Estate",
        "Health Risks"
    ],
    "ai_context_type": "Analysis",
    "ai_context_details": {
        "tone": "informative",
        "perspective": "neutral",
        "audience": "general",
        "credibility_indicators": [
            "expert_quotes",
            "data_cited"
        ]
    },
    "ai_source_vector": [
        -0.0022926978,
        0.0097641405,
        -0.005168063,
        -0.0663167,
        0.045427334,
        -0.049500473,
        0.009138605,
        -0.0077277035,
        -0.014283182,
        0.013203234,
        -0.0103620365,
        -0.037073392,
        0.012778896,
        -0.0048627183,
        0.118789636,
        0.012767143,
        -0.01046491,
        0.020629564,
        0.018674623,
        -0.006064552,
        0.00060513435,
        0.008868017,
        -0.016511321,
        0.005429827,
        0.020005714,
        -0.02013866,
        -0.002823982,
        -0.021403639,
        0.041182835,
        0.008514635,
        -0.022675984,
        0.016546305,
        0.022342786,
        0.012320898,
        0.0005106463,
        0.024882548,
        0.021670954,
        -0.029031428,
        0.005830278,
        0.018979175,
        -0.017832538,
        0.018970886,
        -0.022362767,
        -0.03560427,
        0.025131067,
        0.030045569,
        0.003163262,
        -0.0020099638,
        0.017985996,
        -0.008991371,
        0.0010690152,
        -0.005272255,
        -0.029822191,
        -0.16568586,
        -0.009400676,
        -0.017076358,
        -0.0021392733,
        -0.0076488424,
        -0.0006901832,
        -0.005529048,
        -0.021319041,
        -0.007910847,
        -0.044413056,
        -0.012432357,
        0.0024555277,
        -0.03514315,
        0.041410487,
        -0.0048485994,
        0.007068847,
        0.015567651,
        0.021881634,
        0.0018523382,
        -0.037196,
        -0.030974705,
        -0.0028111702,
        -0.010281221,
        -0.0158607,
        0.017672269,
        0.0255296,
        -0.001862043,
        0.023775596,
        -0.012151633,
        -0.016935805,
        -0.0151138045,
        0.004421308,
        -0.010445474,
        0.00335067,
        -0.016384108,
        0.0018873186,
        0.001400977,
        0.023889234,
        0.043287974,
        0.03541739,
        0.0054955278,
        0.005072723,
        -0.0017874675,
        5.924604e-5,
        -0.01881725,
        -0.010488102,
        -0.00017824218,
        -0.0035630136,
        -0.017496947,
        0.006673596,
        0.022752868,
        -0.016954368,
        -0.021226214,
        -0.010452488,
        0.012620904,
        -0.016473116,
        0.030658029,
        0.032955654,
        -8.637659e-5,
        -0.009872984,
        -0.01951479,
        0.011352036,
        -0.13297947,
        0.01637997,
        -0.026860103,
        0.012106386,
        -0.008608546,
        -0.0024874476,
        0.038103256,
        0.015415008,
        -0.0048831743,
        0.0053498535,
        -0.030730123,
        0.0021019254,
        0.0043583964,
        -0.0018163505,
        -8.227535e-6,
        -0.009638513,
        -0.021392975,
        0.011012279,
        -0.00083555287,
        -0.014486452,
        0.014022889,
        0.0058704866,
        -0.011992995,
        0.026852647,
        -0.017953387,
        0.0016186894,
        0.009637618,
        0.009931967,
        0.0022397598,
        -0.0014886883,
        0.00027795907,
        -0.0016810308,
        0.010154301,
        -0.041115746,
        -0.022588046,
        0.0062031923,
        -0.01121071,
        -0.0001597218,
        0.012840846,
        0.03628916,
        0.003965859,
        -0.034102198,
        0.022113532,
        0.012695168,
        0.011025303,
        0.009091046,
        -0.0063536926,
        0.016560473,
        0.01580992,
        0.021629358,
        0.02602946,
        -0.002594575,
        0.04397544,
        0.014125258,
        -0.005867164,
        -0.053032216,
        0.042309348,
        0.016808515,
        -0.025749797,
        -0.019189551,
        0.0041775308,
        0.010869808,
        -0.013859948,
        0.009302468,
        0.000644682,
        -0.0019241697,
        -0.0025244409,
        0.026877366,
        0.01958755,
        0.0064805383,
        -0.015164745,
        0.0061351843,
        -0.014649729,
        0.017410297,
        0.017960511,
        -0.020870492,
        -0.006694468,
        0.022705318,
        -0.01586369,
        0.0013699383,
        0.0029658386,
        0.019440774,
        0.0102793,
        0.0012866912,
        0.021374261,
        0.016384043,
        0.016881272,
        -0.0057523977,
        -0.020429647,
        0.0018593156,
        -0.016377322,
        -0.027315587,
        -0.008952191,
        0.017686611,
        0.007301117,
        0.028224736,
        0.012916547,
        -0.014277765,
        0.014658097,
        0.008127275,
        -0.0051061893,
        -0.016060932,
        -0.016803645,
        0.029318085,
        -0.029035645,
        0.026430642,
        -0.024378069,
        -0.0049668895,
        -0.002428813,
        0.002746874,
        0.0060546063,
        0.04780407,
        -0.003299556,
        -0.009893628,
        0.021636821,
        0.015234623,
        0.0036756527,
        -0.0009756463,
        -0.022267291,
        -0.0027128502,
        0.025618764,
        0.017677905,
        -0.019599631,
        0.02563155,
        0.020723071,
        -0.004469127,
        -0.005521062,
        0.027123662,
        -0.011253538,
        0.0042419652,
        0.010758815,
        -0.006827018,
        -0.022095026,
        -0.00047097227,
        0.0031409813,
        -0.00034802387,
        -0.008652241,
        -0.0038108565,
        -0.00042690485,
        0.03675514,
        0.023383403,
        0.0035330495,
        -0.013265419,
        -0.01612224,
        0.010404585,
        0.00467951,
        0.009645511,
        -0.013361531,
        -0.002794439,
        0.019499704,
        -0.009430971,
        -0.0031469157,
        -0.009513606,
        -0.021130878,
        0.012463925,
        0.008944012,
        -0.013812406,
        -0.032315172,
        -0.0073982496,
        -0.010156528,
        0.007625701,
        -0.057338603,
        -0.0048954394,
        -0.003529333,
        0.006356837,
        0.020757072,
        0.019335324,
        0.010050943,
        -0.009868053,
        -0.004804035,
        -0.008580446,
        -0.033754732,
        -0.011000647,
        0.01807627,
        -0.01076071,
        -0.033521753,
        0.022804147,
        -0.014018111,
        0.0027604569,
        0.008332225,
        -0.0071201595,
        0.015623119,
        0.027757367,
        -0.017325565,
        -0.0302287,
        0.010051784,
        0.01782524,
        0.021237573,
        0.041635763,
        -0.011077774,
        0.02341841,
        0.0012733578,
        0.019482432,
        -0.019059803,
        -0.00078705925,
        -0.0028930588,
        0.004708209,
        0.0012543941,
        0.00037239867,
        0.011513302,
        -0.049070787,
        0.024765564,
        0.021030795,
        -0.00966347,
        -0.0056192586,
        0.015495587,
        -0.0071162805,
        -0.030637905,
        -0.009061158,
        -0.0014725594,
        0.01209139,
        -0.0037229585,
        0.028050825,
        -0.013007796,
        -0.0045978036,
        -0.005593676,
        -0.0014641271,
        0.036419094,
        -0.0024377482,
        0.00875403,
        0.01261348,
        -0.0030752716,
        0.020360513,
        0.024967423,
        0.003200126,
        -0.0040433365,
        -0.0061637196,
        -0.050362337,
        -0.016789299,
        0.007887295,
        0.0119313495,
        -0.008942926,
        -0.021150965,
        0.004256217,
        -0.020303968,
        0.042432632,
        0.0065652556,
        0.0038327377,
        -0.010288898,
        -0.022023872,
        -0.005186502,
        0.012799067,
        -0.010547207,
        -0.008736581,
        0.022410596,
        0.010580822,
        -0.0046697166,
        -0.020169405,
        0.0029891457,
        0.0025782338,
        -0.02235381,
        0.004926744,
        0.012340056,
        0.0067163575,
        0.0005246949,
        -0.008957901,
        0.038500108,
        0.019293841,
        0.032475926,
        0.015243286,
        0.013357528,
        -0.0005876076,
        0.012314943,
        -0.019274928,
        0.0042885686,
        -0.025138745,
        0.012968906,
        -0.016219623,
        -0.025818538,
        -0.013986617,
        0.019770175,
        0.016120423,
        0.0022506448,
        -0.009463044,
        0.00013831191,
        -0.023122283,
        -0.020823214,
        -0.020314371,
        -0.008105955,
        0.015017767,
        0.034042954,
        0.011626261,
        0.012223321,
        -0.0033049611,
        0.017193018,
        0.008220402,
        0.0012154442,
        0.006640038,
        -0.013676808,
        -0.0024680789,
        0.013737176,
        -0.01702583,
        0.007020158,
        -0.01397944,
        0.0005823456,
        0.00843808,
        -0.010580399,
        0.023937743,
        -0.010894651,
        0.013295808,
        -0.0025650228,
        -0.008634068,
        -0.013817226,
        0.0037609714,
        -0.0043901233,
        -0.0088032745,
        0.021680912,
        0.02999842,
        0.0071457922,
        0.04089015,
        -0.011582733,
        0.0044936496,
        0.0069736363,
        -0.009578144,
        -0.0003256405,
        -0.012388958,
        -0.0013735412,
        0.000957022,
        -0.02729284,
        0.0070766485,
        -0.030492308,
        -0.035086054,
        -0.031181702,
        -0.018092807,
        -0.017948382,
        0.02169699,
        0.009765573,
        0.0025803654,
        -0.010159042,
        0.0131763825,
        0.01105925,
        -0.005637068,
        3.179226e-5,
        -0.004481516,
        0.022471976,
        -0.011039831,
        0.030854689,
        -0.00018267498,
        -0.0028407203,
        0.028951501,
        0.0010123929,
        0.016877541,
        -0.021198714,
        0.01698518,
        -0.004312915,
        -0.00031841375,
        -0.026024638,
        -0.0050795553,
        0.029216107,
        0.00804616,
        -0.018469548,
        0.013104855,
        -0.025227971,
        0.00043492753,
        0.0017775279,
        0.018322911,
        -0.014802917,
        -0.007770876,
        0.018824136,
        -0.024458274,
        -0.0056936024,
        -0.0512019,
        0.00041847018,
        -0.017251844,
        0.015058184,
        -0.006900588,
        -0.02624408,
        -0.01632335,
        0.029139616,
        -0.0001546354,
        0.014043826,
        0.04287232,
        0.00047300925,
        0.0131548485,
        -0.005094784,
        0.026267357,
        0.031348597,
        -0.003903414,
        -0.027542165,
        -0.028915206,
        -0.032949265,
        -0.0002181436,
        -0.009986413,
        0.018817684,
        0.017014043,
        -0.0043576653,
        -0.001202666,
        0.013695937,
        0.008836044,
        -0.033495393,
        0.012858968,
        0.0056214626,
        -0.00977089,
        -0.025397388,
        0.035569347,
        -0.0152884815,
        0.013117626,
        -0.015199834,
        -0.025993602,
        -0.010750923,
        -0.022130242,
        0.0053987517,
        -0.011338449,
        0.0015298905,
        -0.010881218,
        -0.02196851,
        0.024849467,
        -0.03712778,
        -0.0020776934,
        0.011493973,
        0.00930383,
        0.02085282,
        -0.019991579,
        0.030701121,
        -0.0076893396,
        -0.0036311832,
        0.018600646,
        -0.0019613844,
        0.005120371,
        0.008616046,
        -0.011942696,
        0.012323842,
        0.018468237,
        0.031598583,
        -0.0036338994,
        -0.009563295,
        0.004041238,
        -0.008559688,
        -0.0022893623,
        0.020118799,
        -0.08782615,
        0.041574266,
        -0.016835824,
        -0.0056863804,
        -0.012853809,
        -0.023988983,
        0.012487078,
        0.007129083,
        0.004260315,
        -0.00944465,
        -0.029380018,
        0.01705402,
        -7.635969e-5,
        0.0025291974,
        0.0067557013,
        0.007643766,
        -0.051231056,
        0.013267833,
        -0.0001467314,
        -0.0070428373,
        -0.016731381,
        0.011913152,
        0.01167306,
        0.0053891754,
        -0.019285956,
        -0.028394407,
        -0.007990351,
        0.02292687,
        -0.0029917324,
        -0.016416727,
        0.025874445,
        -0.009823704,
        -0.01430911,
        0.025610495,
        0.02403083,
        -0.012580812,
        0.00033159117,
        0.0038873442,
        0.012538862,
        0.032214712,
        0.008913783,
        -0.01800335,
        -0.0013929261,
        -0.010701558,
        0.0018821177,
        0.014214351,
        0.0014199228,
        -0.007969052,
        0.03147937,
        0.021667749,
        -0.0036989914,
        0.011486581,
        -0.00040874718,
        -0.017660212,
        -0.0033971479,
        -0.006182955,
        -0.013708409,
        0.029120654,
        -0.008885136,
        -0.0044764895,
        -0.017151665,
        0.0056691864,
        -0.004448222,
        -0.002223102,
        -0.026621934,
        -0.014201634,
        0.0074132825,
        0.020444974,
        0.013271207,
        0.025507614,
        -0.022660352,
        0.03584354,
        0.009255616,
        -0.020049041,
        0.008781601,
        -0.017846385,
        -0.014333218,
        0.014400127,
        0.0062736417,
        0.009303747,
        -0.013184353,
        0.0019833015,
        -0.060585376,
        -0.0045796894,
        -0.0025671623,
        -0.03264655,
        0.020336613,
        0.018104129,
        -0.0071832244,
        -0.028972117,
        0.002684476,
        0.013110541,
        -0.030961556,
        0.0072134025,
        -0.015974317,
        -0.016687615,
        0.0058076154,
        0.009781788,
        0.007745536,
        -0.012768977,
        -0.0061133425,
        0.008039521,
        -0.0042796545,
        -0.0049904827,
        0.01008507,
        -0.0013387484,
        -0.0026351686,
        0.01788146,
        -0.01645315,
        0.014703807,
        0.015979206,
        0.025265463,
        -0.016536206,
        -0.16485073,
        0.0042889896,
        0.010994089,
        -0.018482752,
        -0.0050455597,
        -0.002734284,
        0.0012002754,
        -0.0026055695,
        -0.010978083,
        -0.014381091,
        -0.0051950207,
        -0.024918716,
        -0.024655975,
        -0.006127547,
        0.001537596,
        0.13885312,
        -0.0011507958,
        0.01072019,
        -0.026611706,
        -0.015010386,
        0.00889511,
        -0.005622445,
        0.011194353,
        0.0019635453,
        0.0035843977,
        0.01664384,
        0.038858432,
        0.010063865,
        0.019029632,
        0.01470358,
        0.033311367,
        -0.007820733,
        -0.02042424,
        -0.005774049,
        0.00013252057,
        0.009918784,
        0.019430704,
        0.005172838,
        0.01615536,
        -0.017736154,
        0.018306406,
        0.013882552,
        0.00022854998,
        0.0046989224,
        0.0013209903,
        -0.011558687,
        -0.0019336686,
        -0.017131992,
        -0.022490779,
        -0.0115663875,
        -0.031192882,
        -0.04916364,
        0.014453014,
        0.009399728,
        0.0028643042,
        0.020836046,
        -0.03549252,
        0.017986922,
        -0.009268372,
        0.009057026,
        0.021101186,
        -0.0021530495,
        0.018098546,
        -0.0029477521,
        0.0074793343,
        -0.025091982,
        0.022817122,
        0.010684598,
        -0.010397452,
        0.013161235,
        0.019654766,
        0.012514079,
        -0.0074031795,
        0.030215628,
        0.018440895,
        0.022973655,
        -0.016569508,
        0.009865731,
        0.016249029,
        0.011434124,
        -0.031185493,
        0.014987672,
        0.00036038097,
        -0.003973262,
        0.019962184,
        -0.019907907,
        -0.01665846,
        -0.010840135,
        0.002792565,
        0.020507477,
        0.0005960937,
        0.011568123,
        -0.0004416191,
        -0.0068489583,
        0.013863329,
        0.01548784,
        -0.0025476317,
        -0.0097214775,
        0.0063815005,
        0.012480262,
        0.027218314,
        0.0003968796,
        0.0029780448,
        -0.010128681,
        0.011533319,
        0.008197021,
        0.0022793328,
        0.0077429526,
        0.007547645,
        0.007451418
    ],
    "ai_confidence_score": 0.9999999999999999,
    "ai_extraction_metadata": {
        "extracted_at": "2026-02-15T17:17:07.703945Z",
        "ai_model": "gemini-2.0-flash-lite",
        "extraction_method": "automated",
        "content_length": 3578,
        "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/29\/realestate\/household-mold-search-traffic-trend.html",
        "existing_metadata": {
            "author_name": null,
            "published_at": null,
            "domain_name": null,
            "site_name": null,
            "section": null,
            "publisher": null
        }
    }
}

{
    "extracted_at": "2026-02-15T17:17:07.703945Z",
    "ai_model": "gemini-2.0-flash-lite",
    "extraction_method": "automated",
    "content_length": 3578,
    "url": "https:\/\/nytimes.com\/2026\/01\/29\/realestate\/household-mold-search-traffic-trend.html",
    "existing_metadata": {
        "author_name": null,
        "published_at": null,
        "domain_name": null,
        "site_name": null,
        "section": null,
        "publisher": null
    }
}