Mold is not a new problem, however; mold is a rapidly growing problem. We know that even in biblical times, the Lord gave pretty direct instructions to Moses and Aaron on the importance of handling mold in the homes and clothing carefully. “The LORD said to Moses and Aaron … I put a spreading mildew in a house in that land (Canaan). … The priest is to order the house to be emptied before he goes in to examine the mildew, so that nothing in the house will be pronounced unclean. After this the priest is to go in and inspect the house. He is to examine the mildew on the walls, and if it has greenish or reddish depressions that appear to be deeper than the surface of the wall, the priest shall go out the doorway of the house and close it up for seven days.” (Lev.14)
Obviously this problem has been around for a while. Why would they be ordered to remove items from the home? Because the mold spores travel throughout the home, they are not just where the priest could visually see the mold.