Re: Re: Fwd: WebMD article Letter to the editor re Mold artic...

October 1, 2005

Here are the exact quotes regarding illness caused by inhaling mold spores

(toxins). Note: #2 and #3 do not specifically say " mold spores " they address

inhaling the toxins that are produced by mold spores. If one is the average

citizen reading the LA Times or watching Fox News, do you think the average

citizen would know the difference between inhaling mold or inhaling the toxin

produced by mold? I find the wording of these statements without

clarification as to the difference of inhaling mold spores as opposed to

inhaling mold

toxins to be very irresponsible for the safety of the public. Particularly

in light of all the mold problems Hurrincane Katrina has caused and all the

average citizens who will be cleaning up mold, yet not concerned about inhaling

it because these statements are MISLEADING as to the well known and

documented dangers of inhaling mold spores.

#1 " We know that mold can make people sick if they end up

in the foods they eat, " Oregon Health & Science

University professor of medicine Emil J. Bardana Jr.,

MD, tells WebMD. " But there is little evidence that

inhaled environmental mold exposure can cause the

serious illnesses that have been attributed to it. "

#2 University of Tulsa biology professor Estelle Levetin,

PhD, agrees that more research is needed to clarify

the issue. Levetin is vice chairwoman of the American

Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology's

Aerobiology Committee.

She adds that the lawsuits have gotten ahead of the

research.

" They are not based on solid science, " she says.

" There is no hard evidence that proves (mold-related)

toxins can cause these health conditions through

inhalation. Living in a damp, moldy house can

certainly have a negative effect on health, but we

can't attribute this to toxins. "

#3 Stachybotrys and some other molds do produce toxins, called

mycotoxins, that are dangerous to animals and people if eaten.

But " you can't get enough mycotoxin inside if you're breathing the

spores, " said Bruce Kelman, a board certified toxicologist with

Veritox Inc., a toxicology consulting company.

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