The Iowa executive mansion at Terrace Hill (courtesy photo)

DES MOINES — Gov. Terry Branstad and first lady Chris Branstad will be out of the executive mansion at Terrace Hill for at least three weeks while work crews clean up black mold that was found in the home.

Spokeswoman Jenae Jenison said the mold was discovered when Chris Branstad experienced respiratory problems after the couple returned from the governor’s trade mission in Brazil and Chile. Jenison said the move was a precautionary measure.

“The governor and first lady are fine,” Jenison wrote in an email. “Do note, the rest of Terrace Hill is still safe for visitors and tours as there is no evidence of mold on the first or second floor.”

The Associated Press reported that the governor told the Burlington Hawkeye newspaper that he and Chris would stay at their Boone County home until the problem was solved.

Although the mold is believed to be confined to the third-floor living residences, the scope of the mold problem was not immediately clear, said Department of Administrative Services spokesman Caleb Hunter.

“We’re still early on in the assessment phase. We do not know costs, timelines, etc. at this time to remediate the situation,” he said.