Residents: Mold is harming our health

January 18, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Bay News 9 - Tampa,FL,USA

title=Residents:%20Mold%20is%20harming%20our%20health

Inspectors say the mold levels in some homes are too high for

occupancy.PASCO COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A group of Jasmine Lakes

residents are battling a mold problem, and they're blaming it on the

wastewater treatment plant behind their houses.

Demint and some of his neighbors on Fox Hollow Lane in Port

Richey say mold in their homes has made them sick.

" The toxic mold is being drawn up into the walls and underneath the

carpets, " Demint said.

The owner of Jasmine Water Treatment, Aqua Source, has had a list of

violations over the years, according to the Department of

Environmental Protection. And the violations are in line with what

residents are complaining about.

Demint says he and his family had to move out of their home because

of the mold, and now won't go into it without a mask.

" My kids have broken out into skin rashes; they have seizures, "

Demint said.

The mold is on the walls, floors and ceiling of Demint's house.

The same problem can be found two houses down at the home.

Water is coming up through their kitchen floor, causing damage.

Ann is concerned about the health of her five children.

" You never know from one minute to the next if I'm going to get a

call from school, if they wake up in the morning having trouble

breathing, " said. " It's just been really rough. "

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Aqua Source says they are working with the DEP to clean up the ponds

and plan to have it completed by the end of the month. But

inspectors say the mold levels in some homes are too high to stay.

" We just have no way to get out of the home, " said. " We

can't financially pay a mortgage and then move somewhere else. "

A group of residents in the neighborhood are organizing a lawsuit

against Aqua Source. Several of them have already been to a doctor

who specializes in mold poisoning.

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