Re: Alleged mold discovered in Crosby Square

[Guest guest]

This is a familiar and unfortunately all too common story.

>Ground floor tenants have been complaining of illnesses that match

>those caused by mold, such as allergy-like and asthma symptoms, but

>said the owners and managers of the complex were not doing anything

>to fix the problem.

I don't think that the tenants realize that when they have a landlord like

that

the landlord will almost never actually 'fix the problem' except on

a superficial level. Their logic is that since there are no laws setting

limits

on mold exposure, that they are complying with all laws even if they do not

clean up the mold at all. However, they will often try to placate tenants by

painting over visible mold or sending someone out with bleach whenever

the mold appears on the outside of walls, but of course inside of the walls

is another story.

>City Inspector Leach said he saw no signs of mold last month

But of course, the city inspector is not allowed to crack into walls in

order

to actually see the worst mold colonies - the ones that are probably

making the people sick- and even if they were 'city inspectors' almost

never do any kind of microscopic spore or species testing.

>when he checked on three units there, but News, president of

>Roe Services Inc. in Glen Mills, found otherwise.

>News said he took a bulk sample of drywall from the apartment of

>Marsia Potts, the first of many tenants to call the Daily Times last

>month with complaints of health problems.

>News had the sample tested at EMSL Analytical Inc., in Westmont,

>N.J. The report came back indicating " high " levels of the mold

>Stachybotrys, a producer of toxic chemicals known as mycotoxins.

> " Stachybotrys is one of the more dangerous molds, especially in

>houses, " said Rick on, of Environmental Testing and Consulting,

>who acted as a witness to News' basic testing. " It's an eye opener,

>it's something you put an exclamation point next to. "

>It's also the main cause of " sick house syndrome, " said on,

>which is exactly what it sounds like -- conditions within the home

>environment that make one sick.

>Potts said she was hopeful the testing could give her the ammunition

>she needs to get something done, and plans to go visiting public

>officials today.

>Property managers Rosemont Management Group LLC, in Lakewood, N.J.,

>did not return calls for comment. One unidentified woman who

>previously answered the phone insisted there was no mold in the

>units.

>The last available number for the property owners, Crosby Square

>Apartments 2002 LLC, has been disconnected.