Agency trying to evict mold

[Guest guest]

http://www.bouldernews.com/bdc/county_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2423_32

56253,00.html

Agency trying to evict mold

Shelter under repair after residents complain of illness

By Kate Larsen, Camera Staff Writer

October 15, 2004

LAFAYETTE — The Emergency Family Assistance Association is repairing

its shelter here and offering residents alternative housing after

many of them raised concerns about mold.

Several current and former tenants of the 12-unit apartment building

on North Carr Street say water damage and toxic mold are making them

sick. EFAA officials are unsure if mold is the reason for the

complaints but they are busy making repairs to the building.

" We're on it, " said Terry , EFAA's executive

director. " We've got to make it safe. "

One family with a baby opted to move to another EFAA shelter. All

other residents want to stay, said.

EFAA is relying on Boulder County Public Health inspector Mike

Richen for guidance.

" He hasn't told us that there's a huge public health problem, "

said.

Richen has examined the property but did not conduct air tests. They

are costly and often inconclusive, he said.

The results of an air test paid for by one former resident showed

that the indoor levels of airborne Stachybotrys atra, often

called " black mold, " were nearly seven times the levels found

outside the apartment. Another resident is waiting for results from

a private test.

Many current and former tenants say their nausea, headaches,

vomiting, asthma and rashes started after moving into the shelter.

Some say they have unpaid medical bills and are unsure what to do.

They are afraid to challenge EFAA on the matter, they say.

" I'm afraid of them coming back and them saying, 'Well, maybe if

you're not happy here you should leave,' " said a resident who asked

to remain anonymous. " I can't afford to be out on the street. "

EFAA's and inspector Richen were at the property Thursday

afternoon. Richen inspected work being done on new gutters, new

carpet and structural repairs beneath the building to prevent

drainage problems.

Residents say EFAA continues to tell them toxic mold doesn't exist.

Lack of conclusive scientific research and industry standards make

mold cases difficult to assess, said Chuck McCammon, an industrial

hygienist and head of the industrial hygiene program for the Tri-

County Health Department for , Arapahoe and counties.

" A lot of times people have health problems and don't know why, and

they find mold and associate it to that, " McCammon said. " Some of

them may be legit, some may not. "

Dr. Gray, author of an article on " Molds, Mycotoxins and

Human Health, " writes that the spores from Stachybotrys atra are

capable of producing some of the most toxic substances known.

Former Boulder resident Lee recently traveled to

Washington, D.C., to speak in favor of a bill that would classify

mold as a hazardous substance, similar to radon or asbestos. The

bill is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Conyers Jr., D-Mich., and would

mandate mold research and education programs.

moved out of his Salida apartment in 2001, about eight months

after moving in. He said toxic levels of mold caused his numerous

health problems — migraine headaches, blurred vision, diarrhea,

liver pain, loss of motor control and overwhelming fatigue.

" I've been utterly debilitated for four years, " said.

His immune system became so fragile following the overexposure,

said, he took to sleeping outdoors last December. He's now in

Southern California.

Pressure from insurance companies and lobbyists make it tough to get

regulations passed and keeps health officials mum, said.

" It's too much of a hot potato, " he said.

DONATIONS

The nonprofit Emergency Family Assistance Association is accepting

donations to help pay for repairs to the North Carr Street building.

For more information, contact Terry at (303) 442-3042 or

terry@....

Contact Camera Staff Writer Kate Larsen at (303) 473-1361 or

larsenk@....