Mold is the latest in a string of crises

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Mold is the latest in a string of crises

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April 22, 2005

In one of his lesser-known works, the late Lennon once wrote:

" I'm a moldy, moldy man

I'm moldy through and through

I'm a moldy, moldy man

You would not think it true

I'm moldy till my eyeballs

I'm moldy till my toe "

(In His Own Write, 1964)

After reviewing the poetry, it is understandable why Lennon does not

have the title " poet laureate " included on his list of

accomplishments. However, once again, Lennon's words are timeless,

as he has described a syndrome becoming more and more prevalent in

homes across the country. There are a number of reasons as to why

mold-related illnesses are becoming more commonplace. One reason for

its rise is due to the fact that it is now being diagnosed more

quickly.

In one of the first widely publicized case of mold-related illness,

a medical doctor in California was diagnosed, but only after months

of suffering. Eventually, his $2 million dollar house was burned to

the ground, as it was the only known means of mitigating the mold.

As a result of complications from the mold exposure, the doctor

suffered irreparable brain damage.

Following an article that appeared in People magazine, buyers were

quick to demand an inspection for mold. Mold inspectors began to

multiply like rabbits in the spring, and the country readied for a

new epidemic, sure to wipe out civilization, as we knew it.

But we were spared. Then, these industrial hygienists, as the mold

people are known, began to inform us that we live among some 23,000

species of mold, and only four or five of those are bad.

We learned that molds are microscopic organisms and that they are

fungi that are necessary to break down dead materials and recycle

nutrients in the environment. Why, molds are our friend, and not

from the axis of evil after all.

Many in the real estate community, as well as the community at

large, dismissed mold as a friend of the plaintiff in a society that

has become overly litigious. Greg Goodman, a loan officer with

Countrywide Mortgage, was one of those people. He had been one of

the top producing mortgage lenders in the United States for 15

years. His assessment of the mold situation is as follows:

" I have been around a lot of houses, and I always thought the buzz

over molds was just hype. No big deal. After all, people have been

building houses for millennia with mo serious mold issues. "

Recently, Goodman encountered a mold problem. His young son and wife

were stricken with an unknown illness last year and were

incapacitated for six months before being diagnosed with mold. He

and his family are still being treated and have more than $75,000 in

expenses that insurance won't pay.

There are numerous other cases. How is it that mold fell out of the

spotlight?

In the late 1970s and through the 1980s, the residential real estate

industry was forced to deal with the removal of asbestos in most of

the houses in the area. When the asbestos lodged in a person's

lungs, significant physical damage ensued, often resulting in death.

During the late 1980s, it was discovered that there was radon gas

floating through the air in several houses in the Nashville area.

Suddenly, radon became a household word in the housing industry, and

radon tests became prevalent during the inspection process.

In most cases, the tests revealed a small amount of radon, and even

if the level was over a level deemed tolerable, the mitigation could

be performed for a fee of less than $2,000. While prolonged exposure

to radon can be harmful to humanity, the hospital wards were not

overflowing with victims of radon exposure.

As the residential property industry had eliminated asbestos and

mitigated radon, the group was desperately in need of a crisis.

Fortunately for those that enjoy the art of worrying and perhaps the

litigation that follows, synthetic stucco reared its Dryvited head.

This surface, that was actually an exterior insulation finishing

system (EIFS), is in truth a good product if properly applied and

maintained.

The appliers and the maintainers of the EIFS had shallow

pocketbooks. However, Dryvit Systems, Inc. had been in the business

for years and had buildings all over the world coated with its EIFS.

After decades of success, the company had attained a significant

worth and was now an easy target for litigators. Class action

lawsuits sprouted from North Carolina to Texas.

It was deemed that EIFS, when properly applied and maintained is

reliable. Now there is EIFS insurance and EIFS warranty. It has

settled down.

Then along came mold with its portent of gloom and destruction

followed by education that bred optimism. It was swept under the

proverbial carpet. Carpet, ironically is a favorite breeding place

for mold. As houses are built airtight for energy efficiency, it

also strangles them, as the homes are not allowed to breathe. This

situation is conducive to mold growth.

Beware, for it is there. And no one wants to become a moldy, moldy

man.

is a real estate broker with Fridrich and and

can be reached through his website: www..com. He's

not so moldy.