Posted on 05/27/2004 9:34:48 AM PDT by q_an_a
A new report released by the National Academy of Science claims that while mold can be linked to upper respiratory tract symptoms in some individuals, there is little scientific evidence linking mold in buildings to serious health problems.
The analysis, conducted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in Washington, D.C., says available evidence does not support an association between interior dampness or mold and the wide range of other health complaints submitted to the institute. Yet, the report does go on to say that the possibility of a link cannot be ruled out. The institute's study reveals there is at least some scientific evidence that links mold to asthma symptoms in some asthmatics. The news will have little effect on Texans who already are paying the price for years of mold hysteria, according to Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas.
"Fear, hype and misinformation over mold in 2001 and 2002 created an insurance crisis in Texas that we're still paying for today," says Kirsten Voinis, a spokeswoman for the group. "Our court system was flooded by questionable lawsuits driven by personal injury lawyers who preyed on people's health fears, despite
In Texas, mold claims skyrocketed from $420 million in 2000 to more than $2 billion in 2002, according to Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Central Texas. Insurance companies operating in Texas recorded 45,000 mold claims in a two-year period, the group adds. "Because of possibly baseless mold claims, most Texas homeowners were slapped with huge insurance premium increases, whether they filed a mold claim or not," Voinis says. "Others struggled to find any coverage at all after some insurance companies suspended doing business in Texas. Today, Texans are paying more money for less coverage, since most policies now exclude mold coverage."
Mold blamed for breathing problems
Insufficient evidence for other ills, study finds
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Respiratory problems, including some asthma, can be caused by mold, but an extensive study released Tuesday failed to indict the fungus for a host of other, often major illnesses that some have sought to associate with it.
"Even though the available evidence does not link mold or other factors associated with building moisture to all the serious health problems that some attribute to them, excessive indoor dampness is a widespread problem that warrants action at the local, state and national levels," said Noreen Clark, dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.
Clark headed an Institute of Medicine panel that studied the health effects of mold, which has drawn increased attention in recent years with the shutdown of a major hotel, delayed openings of schools in several states and a raft of lawsuits.
The Institute, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said mold and building dampness do constitute a problem and urged it be corrected through a range of steps, including changes in how buildings are designed, constructed and maintained.
"An exhaustive review of the scientific literature made it clear to us that it can be very hard to tease apart the health effects of exposure to mold from all the other factors that may be influencing health in the typical indoor environment," said Clark.
"That said, we were able to find sufficient evidence that certain respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthmatics who are sensitive to mold, are associated with exposure to mold and damp conditions," she concluded.
Excessive dampness influences whether mold, as well as bacteria, dust mites and other such agents, are present and thrive indoors, the committee noted. In addition, the wetness may cause chemicals and particles to be released from building materials.
A rare ailment known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis also was associated with indoor mold exposure in susceptible people.
Preventing indoor dampness
But the committee said it was unable to find evidence that mold is associated with fatigue, neuropsychiatric disorders or other health problems that some people have attributed to fungal infestations of buildings.
The little evidence that is available does not support an association, the committee said, but it added that because there are so few studies it cannot rule out a connection.
Molds that are capable of producing toxins do grow indoors, and toxic and inflammatory effects also can be caused by bacteria that flourish in damp conditions, the report noted.
The committee said information exists on how to control dampness but architects, engineers, building contractors, facility managers and maintenance staff do not always apply this knowledge.
The members called for development of guidelines for preventing indoor dampness and said they should be promoted nationally. In addition, building codes and regulations should be reviewed and modified as necessary to reduce moisture problems, the committee said.
Lawsuits claiming illnesses from mold in buildings that were not properly built or cleaned up have multiplied in recent years.
Changes in building codes in the 1970s to make homes more energy efficient and airtight had the effect of allowing less ventilation through a house that would dry out a wet wall or floor, which in turn may have led to more mold damage claims, according to attorneys involved in some cases.
The National Academy of Sciences is a private institution chartered by Congress to advise the government on scientific matters. The study was funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CNN.com
Once the radon fad got old, the scammers needed a new scam to perpetrate on homebuyers.
Then I would like to know why, when I got rid of the mold in my house my entire family started feeling better.
I didn't need any high priced experts or professionals to tell me what was wrong - nor did I need any high priced "mold erradication" kits -- a couple of gallons of bleahc, some water and elbow grease. Problem solved.
The only other time I was anywhere near as sick was when my downstair's neighbor's oil furnace started backing up and the fumes were getting into my apartment.
I totally understand what you are saying, adn I agree with you.
However a mold problem that arose shortly after we bought our home last year made all 3 of us very ill. Once we figured out the cause of why we were all so sick - we got rid of the problem.
No lawsuits, no insurance claims - just some bleach and water.
Does this mean no more cheese and moose threads?
I think most of us have known about mold for a long time, isn't that right?
Why would they make a big study out of this now? I thought studies have already been made on mold.
Howdy SheLion & Gabz,
Have some friends that say that have 'black mold' in their house and they say it’s highly toxic. I don't know much about it. Have you ladies ever heard of this before?
Seems to me that mold can cause health problems. Our medicines mostly come from plants and such. Penicillin is a mold for goodness sakes. If a certain mold can be medically beneficial, then it makes sense that other types of mold can be detrimental.
As far as the insurance claims, there will always be someone who want something for nothing. The way to avoid this problems is just as Gabz has stated: water, bleach, elbow grease.
I've heard something about mold before. But that's as far as my knowlege goes. Maybe Gabz can add more light to this.
Ok! Thanks a lot!!!! :-)
sorry to have been such a hit and run on you both today - just one of those days.
The black mold is what we had in and out of our house.
Fatigue, mood swings, migraine-like headaches, were all among what was happening to the three of us.
Hubby and I finally realized we were experiencing the same symptoms of the CO poisoning we had experienced 13 years ago.
Washing the inside and outside walls with bleach made all the difference in the world.
Within less than a week, I was no longer getting notes home from the teacher about our duaghter's (mis)behavior. I was also no longer snapping at my daughter or husband for everything little thing.
Mold can make people sick, very sick, whether they smoke or they don't.
But I did notice, and this should only be taken as an anecdotal statement, not as proof positive - the 4 rooms in my house where smoking did not occur, were the rooms that all had the mold. Bathroom, kitchen and 2 bedrooms are where all the mold was. Dining room, living room, family room and laundry room - no mold.
In all human history there was never any mold anywhere. It must have come from outer space.
Of course this study is true, all sickness is caused by SHS!
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