As we reported a few weeks ago, East Coast residents affected by Hurricane Sandy have been dealing with mold infestations that are threatening their physical health. According to New York Daily News, one of the many people affected by the outbreaks is 7-week-old Amelia Council, who lives with her family in a New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) building.

The sources says that little Amelia, who was born 20 days before Hurricane Sandy hit, went without electricity, hot water and heat for weeks and was ultimately diagnosed with an upper-respiratory infection due to exposure to mold.

According to NYCHA Chairman John Rhea, more than 3,600 units are in need of inspection and cleaning. Many of these apartments – particularly those on the first floor – were flooded with knee-deep water, causing a perfect breeding ground for mold.

Residents told the source that they are distraught by their current living conditions, but Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn) has addressed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to demand that they test the NYCHA apartments immediately.

"Housing told me that it'll make you sick," NYCHA resident Valerie Stevens said. "The whole closet was infested with mold. It's hard to breathe. That's why I had to take my bed out of my room and move it into the living room."

Amelia's grandmother, Rose, says that the infant is breathing better now after receiving medical treatment, but that she needs a better environment for her.

Mold isn't only dangerous to babies. In fact, it can cause mild to severe health problems for anyone who is exposed to it for extended periods of time. If you're worried about the presence of this dangerous fungus in your home or business, a home inspection contractor can conduct mold testing to help you determine next steps.