Moldy Lawsuits in Memphis

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http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=1056307

Moldy Lawsuits

12/19/02

By Kuebler

Memphis, TN -- There is no precedent for this -- not yet anyway. Memphis

city schools is learning as they go -- and they're learning just how

complicated the mold issue can be.

" What is the protocol. I mean I know we are flying a 727 Boing jet that's

called mold in Memphis city schools building. And we are building that

sucker as we are flying it -- I know that, " said school board member Sara

.

If the mold problem is a 727 -- then Sara and Wanda Halbert have to be

the pilots. And so far they've built a way to identify a mold problem and

who to call to clean it up, but today they're building the next step --- a

very crucial one.

" I don't care if we have to spend a million dollars -- a billion dollars.

Whatever we have to do to ensure that those children are not effected by any

negativity on our part, " said School Board member Wanda Halbert.

The issue is student health inside East High. The school system screened 600

students and recommended 200 see their own doctors for further treatment.

and Halbert are saying -- a simple once over by a nurse practitioner

is just not good enough for such an important case.

" Why in the world would we not pursue getting that test for every child and

every employee in that school, " said Halbert.

That test is being offered by a mold expert, who also is a lead attorney in

mold cases. That toxic mold expert is in East Tennesse. His name is

Barnwell -- we've spoken to him on News Channel 3 before.

Barnwell says he would come to Memphis and help perform that special blood

test to identify really sick students and staff. That could be the biggest

step in the oncoming litigation process.