Alleged mold discovered in Crosby Square

March 8, 2007

By ALEX ROSE, arose@...

The Delaware County Times - Chester,PA

newsid=18053339 & BRD=1675 & PAG=461 & dept_id=18171 & rfi=6

CHESTER -- A local man certified in mold remediation recently found

high levels of a mold in Crosby Square Apartments known to produce

toxic chemicals after a Daily Times article last month detailed the

plight of residents there complaining of health problems.

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.

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

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.

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