World-Wide Toxic Injury Awareness & Education! Please sign and forward to others

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Sharon Kramer

www.toxicinjury.org

Posted in Environmental Health Threats, Health - Medical - Science, Mold and Politics, Toxic Mold | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Health Hazards of Indoor Mold

Posted on May 14, 2009 by Sharon Kramer

Mold is an issue, people are hearing about more and more. Unfortunately, not enough is being done to alert the public about this serious threat to human health. Many are aware but do not know the full extent of danger that indoor mold poses. We will discuss conditions which lead to mold growth, toxins, medical conditions, and what to do or not to do.

In total, nature produces thousands of species of mold. For the purposes of this article we will focus on the most dangerous types that take up residence inside man made structures. Mold thrives in dark, damp, & moist places. In nature mold growth is usually balanced by environmental conditions, bacteria, and natural organic compounds. Indoors however, these elements are not present, thus nothing is in place to impede its growth. Molds that thrive indoors produce a variety of toxic chemicals known as mycotoxins.

These toxins, which are located on the tips of mold spores, can affect several bodily systems. They are also present in particulates shed by molds that are smaller then the spores. The mycotoxins can have adverse effects on all organ systems. Gastro Intestinal, tissue, bone, skin, hair, olfactory, ophthalmologic, and neurological systems to name a few, can all be affected. The immune system is one of the paths that lead to the dysfunctioning of these systems. Being unable to defeat these toxic chemicals, our immune system goes on a relentless attack, leading to several inflammatory responses. Dental problems, insomnia, dry skin, weight losses and gains, are just some of the symptoms to mention. Diabetes, eczema, depression, chronic rhinositus, anemia, chronic fatigue, liver, kidney, and cardiological problems are all hallmark conditions that are linked. Asthma, COPD, Sarcoidosis, Aspergillosis and other pulmonary illnesses are linked to mold fungi colonization, as well as certain types of cancer. Like bacteria, mold fungi has been proven to colonize the human body. Cancer has also resulted with exposure to certain species of mold. Another warning sign is if the family pet(s) also present with the above mentioned symptoms or conditions, it could be an additional warning sign that mold is present. With the appearance of these multiple health system ailments all at the same location, it could be the structure that you are occupying, is making you sick. This is what is known as “Sick Building Syndrome”.

Detection and prevention is key. If there is moisture that remains present for at least twenty four hours, mold could take hold. It can hide behind walls and in HVAC systems, blowing spores throughout the structure. Many times there will be a musty and mildew like smell present. To verify the presence, testing should be done. Mold test kits can be purchased very inexpensively at most home improvement stores and Rutgers University has a program where they offer free testing. These tests will only provide some of the species that are present with out providing actual spore counts. I strongly suggest that a certified environmentalist/toxicologist be contracted to take air and culture samples. A common myth of treatment is to use bleach. This could be dangerous and also ineffective. The vegetative body known as the Hyphae can be below the surface. The bleach enzymes may not penetrate deep enough. Plus it is 94% water. This will serve to feed the mold fungal growth. The toxins in bleach are also neurotoxic. This will add to the neurotoxins that the mold is already delivering to the brain. Hydrogen peroxide along with white distilled vinegar is known to destroy many species of mold. However mold is a very defensive organism and I strongly suggest enlisting a trained professional to do all the remediation. Layman handling could prove to be more costly both economically and medically speaking. In future articles I will discuss more in depth specific species, toxins, medical conditions, and other aspects and causes of “Sick Building Syndrome”.

If any readers wish to contact me personally for more information feel free to write to moldleg333@live.com.

Sincerely yours,

John McBride
“MCS” Beacon Of Hope Foundation’s New Jersey State Representative & Toxic Mold Activist/Consultant
Moldleg333@live.com

Gray, Michael R.; Thrasher, Jack D.; Crago, Robert; Madison, Roberta A.; Arnold, Linda; Campbell, Andrew W.; Vojdani, Aristo 2003 Mixed mold mycotoxicosis: immunological changes in humans following exposure in water-damaged buildings: Archives of Environmental Health.

Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker; Mold Warriors. 2005 Gateway Pr. Baltimore, MD: 2005.

Kuhn, D.M.; Ghannoum, M.A. 2003 Indoor Mold, Toxigenic Fungi, and Stachybotrys chartarum: Infectious Disease Perspective Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and Center for Medical Mycology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.

Etzel, Ruth A.; What the primary care pediatrician should know about syndromes associated with exposures to mycotoxins; etzel 2006.

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The Need For Toxic Mold Legislation – Currently there are no agency’s to call or any avenues for renters, hotel/motel guests, or condo owners to take that can force responsible parties to act when it comes to mold – This must stop

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Sharon Kramer

by: Michael Illions | April 13

Note: The following post was written by John McBride, and I encourage every one to read it and educate themselves on this potentially dangerous situation

By John McBride

Since 2001’ there has been several toxic mold “Bills” that have been introduced to no avail. For the past year, I have been working to turn this outrageous tide. I have had meetings with Senator Sean Kean, Mary Pat Angelini, & have worked closely with Senator Bucco’s office. In fact he has sponsored a bill, which basically called for a review, of this matter. Knowing the need for immediate action, I negotiated to take parts of Bill A3933 and 1625 as well as placing these together with a draft that I authored. My purpose is to put in place laws that for far too long have been needed in order to protect many individuals from the hazards of indoor mold.

Currently there are no agency’s to call or any avenues for renters, hotel/motel guests, or condo owners to take that can force responsible parties to act when it comes to mold. Many individuals over the years have fallen ill, lost pets, and lost all their possessions due to this. More over, their lives have been totally altered or in many cases ruined. Even in courts, judges have no law to use and in many cases are telling tenants just to move with no justice being served. Due to this, others will follow and end up in harms way. This must stop.

Many are calling or writing me begging for help. Children are suffering and many are ending up permanently injured or in some cases there have been fatalities. I have research, which depicts actual autopsy reports on young children. Lives are also ruined because several mold victims end up with a Hypersensitivity to chemicals or also known as Toxin Induced Low Tolerance (TILT) or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), which are essentially related and the end result is the same. This is caused by the immune system becoming so damaged due to the toxins that several chemicals make these poor victims ill. This causes many to fall ill wherever they go. Whether to a store, library, or doctor’s offices, these victims get ill. I can tell you first hand how true this is. This causes children to have even more problems with school and the ability to learn and even play.

Many legislators have also stated that many constituents call them requesting help and advice due to mold. Top Board of Health officials have told me that for years they have desperately tried to get laws in place that would enable them to act. That so many are in need of help and there is nothing they can do. This is absurd.

Molds are somewhat like ice bergs. Much of what you cannot see can be very dangerous. It can thrive behind walls and in HVAC systems, emitting spores that are full of toxins throughout the entire structure. This is why I feel that air testing is so important to be included in the legislation. One opposing argument is what counts as safe levels. It is simple, none. There are no such levels. The toxins emitted by mold accumulate over time in the human body and on all indoor furnishings. If mold is present, any level will lead to danger. The EPA already established that over 35 micrograms per cubic meter made up of any small particles is considered hazardous to human health.

To make matters worse, less then 2% of doctors are even trained to diagnose or treat mold toxicity (mycotoxicosis). This is another glowing reason as to why legislation is needed. Stop the growths early and stop additional spore growth from entering near by houses or buildings. Please help support my effort by writing letters of support and sending them to me via email. You can also call your legislators urging them to support this legislation.

The basics of the legislation will provide for the following:

1. Empower Board of Health (State & County) to have the authority to act with mold issues.

2. Force property owners to remediate the mold.

3. Provide emergency housing for those who are ill or in harms way until the mold is remediated.

If anyone would like to learn more or feels they may possibly have a mold problem, please feel free to email me. Any support for this legislation will also be appreciated. I can be contacted at moldleg333@live.com.

Sincerely yours,

John McBride

“MCS” Beacon Of Hope Foundation’s New Jersey State Representative & Toxic Mold Activist/Consultant & New Jersey Legislative Initiative Against Toxic Mold

“World~Wide” Toxic Injury Awareness & Education! Please sign and forward to others: http://www.toxicinjury.org

gopusanj.com

Posted in Civil Justice, Environmental Health Threats, Health - Medical - Science, Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, Mold and Politics, Mold Litigation, Politics, Riverstone Residential, Toxic Mold | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Morgens mold still ignored by UC

Posted on May 13, 2009 by Sharon Kramer

Staff Editoral | The News Record

Published – Wednesday, May 13, 2009

While previous residents, students and faculty wait for the University of Cincinnati to issue a statement – saying anything at this point – about the mold and asbestos found in Morgens Hall, people are at great risk for serious and possibly fatal illnesses. The university’s lack of response makes it clear that it is not acting responsibly.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires immediate cleanup for health and safety reasons, but it is up to state legislatures to act on the mold removal regulations while OSHA will enforce them.

The situation at UC is in dire need of a more aggressive response, said Linda May, an International Health and Safety consultant with a specialty of toxins and their health effects.

Any response would be a step in the right direction at this point; but how many people will be affected by this mold before UC finally talks?

“There is a zero tolerance policy for this, and the university is mandated to notify students and parents,” May said.

May is also an OSHA institute accredited instructor and Environmental Protection Agency accredited site manager.

The U.S. Army Medical Reaserch Lab at Fort Deedrick, or Chapter 34 Trichothecene Mycotoxins on this type of mold and can be accessed online. The OSHA also decrees that the state must have regulations equal to or greater than the federal regulation, and visitors to any contaminated buildling must enter with a form of respitory protection, or a self-contained breathing apparatus.

Yes, mold removal is expensive, but lives are priceless. People can contaminate their homes. Think about the workers at Morgens Hall who are exposed to it and later bring it home to their families. It’s on their clothes, their skin and in their respiratory systems.

It only takes a minimum of 15 minutes or up to three eight-hour workdays to become infected, and it is almost always fatal, May said. The toxins in black mold, like trichothecene mycotoxins (T-2) have been used as a bio-weapon, called yellow rain, by other nations for years.

With this information, someone needs to  explain how the university has yet to perform immediate removal by OSHA and IAQ regulations, after notifying all students, parents, faculty and previous residents of the situation.

Antibiotics won’t help, May said. Inhalers won’t help. Both are like a second dose of cyanide in this situation. The people who have been infected by the mold need treatment from doctors who are medical mold experts. Unfortunately, there are only a few in the country.

Meanwhile, the toxins remain in the DNA. On a small Indian reservation in Pines Ridge, S.D., the number of stillbirths was nearing 100 percent in a two-year span. The problem: Black mold toxins were in the mothers’ DNA.

This is a very serious issue that has not been properly responded to. Clearly the university is willing to risk the health of its students and workers. The lack of response from the general population after the news first hit the public was very apathetic. The reason is that landlords, insurance companies, real estate agents and schools have been in denial and refuse to give credit to the consequences.

It’s expensive and some authorities fear it may make the school look bad, but our school leaders should not be acting out of fear. They should be stepping up and taking charge to protect us at any cost.

newsrecord.org

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Coming Soon – Maintenance Records – Jefferson Lakes Apartments – Managed by Riverstone Residential

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Sharon Kramer

Maintenance records for apartment 2907 showing years of water leaks in the same areas.  I also know of some that are missing.  But then, quite a few things failed to appear that would show more evidence that the owners and management knew of the severe mold problems and have been covering it up for quite awhile.  Some evidence failed to appear thanks to an obvious effort by our lying, unethical attorney, some from the liars at Riverstone Residential and some from the unethical owners of Guarantee Service Team of Professionals.

They sure know there is a severe mold problem at the complex now (as they have for a long time) yet still lease these toxic apartments.  A couple of reasons this can continue is (1) it is Louisiana and (2) all those involved are corrupt, arrogant, immoral, greedy, and above the law, which in Louisiana does not mean much.  katy

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