Pepperell mold victim going national to back mold bill

[Guest guest]

(I am so proud of ALL of you who have worked so hard to get the voices of mold

victims heard. Many of you have faced illness, pain and bankruptcy -

yet,miraculously like the Timex watch commercial - you take a lickin' but you

keep on ticking! Those of us who cannot travel know that through you, our

voices will be heard. Thank you. Barbara)

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Pepperell mold victim going national to back mold bill, take her

story to Washington

By Don sson

Friday, August 13, 2004 - PEPPERELL -- Mold victim will carry

her story to Washington, D.C., and tell it to legislators during Mold Awareness

Week, Sept. 19-24, as part of a national consortium that is drumming up support

for a bill filed by Michigan Congressman Conyers Jr. that would establish

federal mold regulations.

Approached by Elissa Larkin of Mold Release Inc. of Oklahoma, and others

who have seen her story in the online version of these newspapers and in

televised news reports, has volunteered to be a national coordinator for

the five-day event.

She is charged with choosing coordinators from each state and helping

amass mold-related stories and testimonials for a booklet to be given to members

of Congress, the press, and executive directors of major medical centers.

Larkin ( www.moldrelief.org<http://www.moldrelief.org/> is working to

recognize, diagnose and treat diseases caused by fungus (mycotic diseases).

's severe asthma is related to mold and is a mycotic disease. has

also been working with of Mold Help of Oregon (

www.mold-help.com<http://www.mold-help.com/> and Dr. Simone Summers of North

Carolina

www.mapercoalition@...<mailto:%20<a%20href=> " >(www.mapercoalition@... " >w\

ww.mapercoalition@...) ).

plans to return to Massachusetts Sept. 23 to help tear down the home

of Doreen Farrell of Dracut, another victim of severe mold infestation, to

highlight mold concerns in Massachusetts.

" They contacted me because of the news stories, " said. " All these

people can and have accessed the stories. They want me to coordinate the

televised media in Massachusetts -- Channel Seven and Fox 25 -- with sister

stations in Washington, D.C. "

, who said she barely has enough money to go from her apartment to

the grocery store, said the coalition offered to pay her air fare. An estimated

3 million people are behind Conyers' legislation (House 1268, known as the

Melina Bill). More than 20 organizations are involved.

" Hopefully we'Il meet with our local representatives and congressmen, " she

said. " There is a congressional hearing scheduled that week so most of them will

be there. There will be a private news conference and private conversations set

up with legislators and mold victims from each state to get their support. "

She said she also hopes to speak with staff members from presidential

candidate Sen. Kerry's office.

Asked if she liked her new role as a lobbyist, said, " I'm doing what

I said I was going to do and I feel great. "

She is on the telephone or online every night until 10 or 11 p.m. with

residents of other states who have experienced mold problems. Her husband, Rich,

is " supportive " and watches their autistic son, Cameron, while she works.

" It's a wonderful country and one couldn't do this anywhere else, "

said. " Let's put the pressure on. Let's get it done. "

The major provisions of the Melina bill are:

Direct the EPA and Centers for Disease Control to examine the health

effects of molds.

Direct the EPA and HUD to establish guidelines that identify conditions

that facilitate growth of indoor mold and address mold inspection, testing, and

remediation.

Ask the EPA and HUD to establish guidelines for certifying mold inspectors

and remediators.

Authorize programs to educate the public about the dangers of indoor mold.

Require mold inspections for multi-family and residential property and all

property purchased or leased with funds guaranteed by the federal government.

Wherever possible, require local jurisdictions to modify building codes to

minimize mold hazards in new construction.

Authorize grants for mold removal in public buildings.

Authorize tax credits for inspection and/or remediation of mold hazards.

Create a national toxic mold insurance program administered by FEMA

(Federal Emergency Management Agency).

Enable states to provide Medicaid coverage to victims who cannot secure

adequate health care.