MA State Senator Rob O'Leary goes on record supporting HR 1268

[Guest guest]

December 7, 2004

Jerry P. McDermott, Chair

Committee on Environment and Historic Preservation

Docket # 1407

City Hall

Boston, MA 02201

Re: Boston City Council Hearing Addressing the Public Health Threat of Mold

Dear Committee Members:

Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony acknowledging the growing

concern statewide over indoor mold contamination.  A scheduling conflict

precludes me from testifying in person today.  So-called toxic mold has been the

subject of a great deal of media attention and a growing number of lawsuits in

recent years, and yet there is still a great deal of controversy surrounding the

issue.  As you will hear today, mold contamination in the home or workplace

can have devastating effects on those who are exposed.  It is important for the

City and the Commonwealth to determine what role we can have in addressing

this growing problem.

I have sponsored a bill at the state level.  My legislation seeks to

establish a task force to study the issue of mold contamination, to review the

existing science, safe standards for mold exposure, and the actions taken by

other

states, and to recommend ways that the problem can be addressed here in

Massachusetts.  The membership of the task force would include 2 representatives

from

each of the following offices:  the Department of Public Health, one of whom

shall be from the Bureau of Environmental Health Assessment, the Department of

Environmental Protection, the Division of Occupational Safety, and the State

Board of Building Regulations and Standards; 2 members of the legislature; one

community liaison; and 5 representatives to be chosen from among the following

groups: health experts, medical experts, mold abatement experts, and affected

industries, including but not limited to forest products, real estate agents,

and residential, commercial and industrial tenants, proprietors, landlords,

insurers and builders.  It may be that the state will eventually need to go

further in addressing the issue of toxic mold, but this task force is designed

to

be a first step in developing a course of action.

It is my hope that the City of Boston and the Commonwealth can work together

in implementing a solution so more lives will not be put at risk through toxic

mold exposure.  I am supportive of Congressman Conyers' legislative

initiatives at the federal level and I am hopeful that the U.S. Toxic Mold

Safety

and Protections Act will have a successful passage.  I also commend the

Congressman for the national attention he has created around toxic mold in an

attempt to further education the public. 

Thank you for your efforts on this issue, and please do not hesitate to

contact me if I can be of further assistance in the matter.

Very Truly Yours,

ROBERT A. O'LEARY

State Senator

Cape Cod and Islands District