Toxic Intruder: Black Mold Panic Has Families Fleeing Their Homes

ABCNEWS.com ^ | 11/29/02

[orfisher]

Much of the problem is that building techniques have changed considerably from years ago. For one, lumber yards kept their stock indoors. Now they are stored outdoors. Houses are now built (framed and enclosed) within a week, locking moisture inside. Making a home airtight (Tyvek) and superinsulation donesn't allow outside air to circulate. All this in the name of enegy efficiency.

[Eagle Eye]

There was a huge sttlement in Texas that scared the bejesus out of the insurance industry. Artificial stucco (EIFIS) is looked at very very carefully by insurers. Many are writing mold exclusions.

The hazards are real, both to humans and to insurance companies.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[Restorer]

Absolutely.

These changes in building techniques have created new ecological niches. It's not surprising that these new environments lead to proliferation of previously rare species, like Stachybotrys, for example.

But it's a lot easier to just blame attorneys than to recognize that we have foolishly created a tens to hundreds of billions of dollars problem for ourselves over the last 25 years.

[friendly]

This whole business is part of the lawyer's full employment act. The homeowners are being fleeced to pay for this non-existant problem. I'm paying four times what I paid in Missouri. This is the same old mold that has been around for decades. Mass hysteria and lawyers getting rich.

Absolutely true. Look at the posts and see the mass hysteria (and lawyers?) spouting the idiotic delusions born of media Junk Science. And this is a sophisticated website, usually. Imagine the effect of all this on a group of complete morons (think typical California jury).

[Wonder Warthog]

"Sorry guys and gals but this new "black mold plague" is a humongous piece of happy horsewaste fiction created by the corrupt lawyer industry. This is pure Junk Science but is of course a gold mine for these vermin."

Sorry, but wrong. Acute sensitivity to molds is why I moved out of Louisiana. Not everyone is affected, but there are those of us who have an acute sensitivity. Certainly, poor house design and construction can give rise to situations where sensitive individuals can have problems. In my case, it was just the climate (hot and humid virtually year-round) and not a tort situation--but the health problems certainly were real enough.

[meyer]

Can you say Tyvek. Sell your stock now!

Its OK. The only Tyvek investment I have is in my walls...

Oh wait!!!

[kstewskis]

Last year, the insurance industry as a whole spent 1.2 billion on mold claims. State Farm alone lost $4 billion in the same period.

That explains it. She is w/ State Farm.

But mold makes a great excuse to raise rates and demand exclusions from the state insurance departments.

Thought so. Hold on to our pocketbooks. Thanks for the info :)

[Restorer]

Artificial stucco (EIFIS) is looked at very very carefully by insurers.

As well it should be!

These systems were developed in Europe for application over masonry. They were brought here and applied over exterior gypsum board or oriented strand board sheathed wood frame construction. The results have been disastrous, in many cases.

Go to http://www.co.new-hanover.nc.us/INS/EIFS/EIFS002.HTM for one county in NC that had huge problems.

[meyer]

I've also read that the more tightly constructed, well-insulated modern houses have also contributed to the increasing prevalence of asthma. Any thoughts?

I think that's just one of many theories. I've also heard that with today's working parents/latchkey kids, there's nobody really cleaning the home any more and that is contributing to the apparent increase in asthma cases as well. My asthma only occurs when I'm around cats for extended periods of time - and even then, if the ventilation and filtration is adequate, it doesn't bother me.

[slimer]

This is a hot issue in the housing industry for sure. I am a member of the California Apartment Association and they have been battling on behalf of property owners with the Legislature to contain the issue.

One of the problems that owners are facing is savy tenants, looking to cash in on toxic mold, exagerate health problems and bring cases to court. Even though they may not win a case, it can be very expensive for property owners who have to pay for legal defense. And of course there is no lack of personal injury lawyers who take cases on consignment and then try to settle (extort) out of court.

I have all tenants read and sign a Mold Addendum that explains who is responsible in what situations for mold problems. It is basically a legal shield for owners but there are always exceptions to the rule when a determined (greedy) tenant decides to make an issue out of it because they are tired of paying rent and are looking for a down payment on a home.

[Restorer]

Before deciding that this was all just junk science, how many hours did you spend researching the topic?

Snap judgments are not very scientific.

I cannot claim that there is no junk science out there promoting the hazards of mold. Unfortunately, there is.

But there is also some very good science indicating that we may have a very real problem.

[meyer]

If all you care about is what's on the surface, you're likely to get a building that is mostly surface.

I know exactly what you are saying. I've been straightening out as many of the shortcuts that my builder took as I can. The plus side is that I'm accumulating a fine collection of tools in the process. :^)

[Minutemen]

Black Mold: The New Infirmity for the New Millineum.
Burn down your house now!

[Restorer]

I'm sure you will also agree that there are greedy, reckless apartment owners who ignore ongoing moisture intrusion for months and years because they don't want to pay what it costs to fix the problem. Instead they "cover it up" with caulk and paint, and hope it will go away, which, of course, it doesn't. This course of action can create genuine health risks for unwitting tenants.

I suspect there's just about as high a percentage of greedy landlords as there is of greedy tenants.

[Leisler]

I also refer to building that pass inspections, but are so poorly built, as "built to Fail" I installed a $100K kitchen cabinet job in a Red Sox ex new house. Nice, French style, classy looking. Anyways when I walked in the front door I got vertigo the plumb and level were so off. Nice guy, I could never bring to tell him that I thought his house was a expensive pile of junk. When I met the contractor, I knew why. Total dolt, making a pile.

[Restorer]

It is interesting that building inspections have almost nothing to do with preventing these problems. Building codes just really address other issues.

[CWRWinger]

Black mold. Its technical name is Stachybotrys chartarum — stachy for short

Give it to some libertairians and they'll figure out a way to smoke it.

[independentmind]

I've also heard that with today's working parents/latchkey kids, there's nobody really cleaning the home any more and that is contributing to the apparent increase in asthma cases as well.

Well, that's pretty much the opposite of what I've heard, actually. The generally antiseptic environment in which many of us live today doesn't give us the ability to build up tolerance to irritants.

Asthma and allergies are constant plagues to many people in my extended family. Just as an aside, I have a nephew who lives in a spotlessly clean home and he has suffered from asthma and allergies since he was a tot.

[Eagle Eye]

But there is also some very good science indicating that we may have a very real problem.

Florida had a confirmed fatality from a case of acute toxicity about 8 months ago.

FYI, I recently removed all my wall to wall and replaced it with vinyl and throw rugs. If people could only see what is in their carpets...