Here is what I sent to Dr. Rosenfeld

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr. Rosenfeld,

In light of all the people returning to their homes after Katrina, I am

concerned that the message you put out of mold not causing serious illness may

be

misconstrued as an implication of safety for these families. I would assume

your message was meant for those who are living in homes with no prior water

damage.

The following is taken from the website of the CDC. If you could help the

CDC get this message out so no one becomes unnecessarily ill from public

misinformation, it would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Sharon Kramer

(aoldb://mail/write/Clorox%20Corp%20on%20Mold%20Illness.pdf) From the

Website of the Center for Disease Control:

Mold Toxins (Mycotoxins)

Molds can produce toxic substances called mycotoxins. Some mycotoxins cling

to the surface of mold spores; others may be found within spores. More than

200 mycotoxins have been identified from common molds, and many more remain

to be identified. Some of the molds that are known to produce mycotoxins are

commonly found in moisture-damaged buildings. Exposure pathways for

mycotoxins can include inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Although some

mycotoxins

are well known to affect humans and have been shown to be responsible for

human health effects, for many mycotoxins, little information is available.

Aflatoxin B1 is perhaps the most well known and studied mycotoxin. It can

be

produced by the molds Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus and is

one of the most potent carcinogens known. Ingestion of aflatoxin B1 can

cause

liver cancer. There is also some evidence that inhalation of aflatoxin B1

can cause lung cancer. Aflatoxin B1 has been found on contaminated grains,

peanuts, and other human and animal foodstuffs. However, Aspergillus flavus

and

Aspergillus parasiticus are not commonly found on building materials or in

indoor environments.

Much of the information on the human health effects of inhalation exposure

to mycotoxins comes from studies done in the workplace and some case studies

or case reports.* Many symptoms and human health effects attributed to

inhalation of mycotoxins have been reported including: mucous membrane

irritation, skin rash, nausea, immune system suppression, acute or chronic

liver

damage, acute or chronic central nervous system damage, endocrine effects, and

cancer.

More studies are needed to get a clear picture of the health effects related

to most mycotoxins. However, it is clearly prudent to avoid exposure to

molds and

mycotoxins.

New Flyer from the CDC saying Mold Can Make You Sick:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/flyer-get-rid-of-mold.pdf

EPA Recommended Document:

Clinician's Guidance on Moisture & Mold in the Indoor Environment

University of Conneticutt.

From Clorox Corp, which funds much study on the subject:

Household Mold: Health Issues regarding Mold

P.S. As far as mold litigation, there are approximately 10,000 mold cases

in litigation at any given time. The vast majority do not get thrown out or

even go to trial. The vast majority settle (when it is easily determinable

that one's negligence was the cause of another's illness).

Another myth that is spread by defense attorneys and their advocates is that

all people claiming mold illness go to court. This is untrue. Most people

who are sick from mold illness are never involved in litigation over the

matter. They do however, have a difficult time finding physicians who are

knowledgable to treat them. This is because of the misinformation that is

spread

among much of the medical community, to the public and other physicians that

mold does not cause serious illness. This in turn causes the ignorance that

predecesses litigation.