Son had experience with bleeding lungs

[Guest guest]

This was a response to a " opinion " in this paper.

Son had experience with bleeding lungs

Editorial - Thursday, April 05, 2007 @ 09:00

Sarnia Observer - Sarnia,ON,Canada

http://www.theobserver.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?

contentid=476611 & catname=Editorial & classif=

Sir: This letter is in response to R.P. O'Donnell and getting the

facts on mould before suggesting that " bleeding lungs " from mould

belong on the Jerry Springer show (letter to the editor, " Stick to

facts on mould, " The Observer, March 31, 2007).

If you do an Internet search on the Center for Disease Control (CDC)

in the U.S., you will learn a lot about mould. Between 1993 and

1996, there was almost an epidemic of cases of infants with bleeding

lungs in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. The only common denominator

found in these cases was extensive flooding in the neighbourhood and

the presence of a dangerous black mould called " Stachybotrys.

"

I have done this research because my infant son, who is now 18,

stopped breathing at home in Sarnia. His lungs were bleeding. He was

listed as an " Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemorrhage " bleeding in the lungs

for no reason. With extensive, excellent medical care, he survived

and is a healthy young man today.

The mystery of his condition remained for years until I accidentally

came across a television show entitled " Fatal Fungus, " part of a

series on " Forensic Files/Medical Detectives. " The infants shown

suffered the same symptoms as my son.

I remember cleaning up mould in our home around the time of his

illness. My son was hospitalized for weeks and although we didn't

realize it at the time, having him out of our home probably saved

his life.

After requesting a copy of the show from the producers, I contacted

our specialist in London (who also teaches young doctors). He

confirmed that although we cannot do testing to prove conclusively

that this was the cause, they now know a lot more about mould and

its dangers and they would consider using my son's case for teaching

purposes.

Although the CDC states that they identified shortcomings in the

investigative studies in the 1993-1996 cases, and so will not

conclusively state that Stachybotrys was the cause, they have

developed a procedure for any new infant who arrives at an emergency

department with bleeding lungs.

I have distributed copies of this video to our doctors, emergency

room and health unit.

From experience, if you have mould in your home or daily

environment, the consequences can be deadly. Although test results

are not 100 per cent conclusive, should we be taking chances? Would

the director of the CDC have his/her children in a mouldy home or

school?

T.L. McLean

Sarnia