Re: Mold Statement by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine

[Guest guest]

Don:

IMHO, the statement is acknowledging and neutral. This said, the opening sentence is a bit interesting and I imagine that some entities will ask the AAEM to substantiate it.

For what it is worth.....

Hi, folks!

FYI

http://www.aaemonline.org/images/MoldStatement.pdf

Comments from the group?

Don

[Guest guest]

Don,

I greatly admire and respect this organization in coming out with

their position statement. This restores my faith to know that a

medical organization feels the need for others in the medical

profession to move forward on this extremely pertinent issue

that has become a political hot potato. The ultimate cost to not

speak out is far too great. I stand by the AAEM and offer my support

for better education to the effects of mold exposure.

Water damage resulting in indoor mold growth can create serious and

life altering health related effects that must be understood by

physicians who only then can properly diagnose and treat patients,

the very patients that would and are otherwise suffering needlessly.

The financial burden on our healthcare system in not properly and

timely diagnosing those with mold related illness, leaves everyone at

risk.

Thank you to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine.

Bobbins, RN, L.Ac, QME

>

> Hi, folks!

>

> FYI

>

> http://www.aaemonline.org/images/MoldStatement.pdf

>

> Comments from the group?

>

> Don

Position paper from American Academy of Environmental Medicine on Mo

June 10, 2008

Molds and Mycotoxins (Toxic Molds) in Human Health

American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM)

by aaemonline.org

It is commonly recognized that a large body of medical literature and

extensive clinical experience indicates that sufficiently high

exposures to indoor

airborne mold can lead to disease in otherwise healthy individuals.

Since

environmental health has not been a focus of medical education, many

physicians

are not fully aware of the scope of mold related health problems and

are

inadequately equipped to investigate and manage possible cases of

mold exposure

in a timely fashion.

Exposure to significant levels of indoor mold can cause acute or

chronic

dysfunction or injury to all organ systems including the respiratory,

neurological, cardiovascular, genitourinary, gastrointestinal,

musculoskeletal, immune

(through both immediate and non-IgE mechanisms) and hematological

systems. In

addition to the resulting more commonly considered respiratory

conditions

such as asthma and rhinosinusitis, exposure to mold proteins and

mycotoxins has

been associated with fatigue, reduced concentration, imbalance, poor

memory

and hemorrhagic disorders.

Mold contaminated buildings may well require prompt, serious

remediation

since avoiding further exposure is the first step in treatment as

well as a

major part of disease prevention.

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) recommends

continuing

research regarding mold related health problems and suggests that

experienced

health authorities disseminate knowledge about this public health

issue in

order to achieve widespread clinical competence among health

professionals in

the investigation and management of actual or alleged mold exposure.

Supporting medical and scientific literature on this issue, along

with

opportunities for formal training in environmental health, are

available through

the AAEM.

Approved by the Board of Directors of the American Academy of

Environmental

Medicine on March 1, 2008.

_http://www.aaemonline.org/images/MoldStatement.pdf_

(http://www.aaemonline.org/images/MoldStatement.pdf)