Mold article in Justice News Flash, 3/13/2009

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What You Need to Know About Mold Contaminated Air Sick Building Syndrome

2009-03-13 19:54:09 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Featured, Press Release)

Orlando,

FL (JusticeNewsFlash.com) — Exposure to toxic mold and related volatile

organic compounds can affect individuals in a variety of ways. The term

“sick building syndrome†(SBS) describes the adverse acute health and

comfort effects that are caused by an individual spending time in an

indoor environment with poor air quality that has been caused by the

presence of toxic mold and other contaminants. Homes, apartment

complexes, schools and businesses have the capacity to make people sick

even though no specific illness or cause may be identified. Sick

building syndrome is frequently difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms

rarely fit a pattern of any particular illness and are tough to trace

to a specific source. Though victims of SBS oftentimes do not have a

disease that a medical professional can detect, their suffering is

undeniable. Toxic molds produce poisonous gases known as mycotoxins.

Once the mold toxins become airborne, they come to rest on almost any

surface, including one’s clothing and skin. Perhaps most disturbing,

these toxins become trapped in people’s mucus membranes from breathing.

Unfortunately, people are often unable to see, feel or smell the

hazardous mycotoxins and contaminants.

The mycotoxins produced by toxic molds affect humans in different

ways. Some people suffer immediate reactions, while others do not

notice manifestations of harm for days, even several weeks. Exposure to

toxic mold frequently causes daily headaches, chronic fatigue,

persistent cold, flu, and allergy-like symptoms, nose and throat

irritation, memory loss, difficulty focusing and concentrating,

dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. Those individuals who

suffer from severe asthma, allergies or a poor immune system are much

more vulnerable to lung and other upper-respiratory infections due to

mold exposure. Infants and young children are at the highest risk of

harm when exposed to toxic mold. Babies who breathe toxic air may

experience a pulmonary hemorrhage, which is often fatal. Less common

than SBS is “building related illness†(BRI), which is a term used to

describe the adverse health reactions associated with diagnosable

illnesses that are directly attributed to airborne building

contaminants. If you or your co-workers, schoolmates or family members

exhibit the signs of SBS, contact the personal injury lawyers at Rue

& Ziffra. Our team of knowledgeable attorneys and staff will

investigate the source of your harm and aggressively pursue the

culpable parties.

Toxic mold can grow on nearly any surface and can be found behind

wallpaper, in air ventilation systems and dry wall, and underneath

flooring. Mold tends to grow in moist, dark, high humidity areas.

Generally, molds are extremely similar in shape and color. So, even

when mold is visible to the casual observer, it is quite difficult for

a layperson to determine whether such mold is toxic or harmless.. Since

exposure to toxic mold can impair the heart’s ability to function

properly, can spur the onset of cancer and can cause pregnant women to

miscarriage, it is vital that you spend as little amount of time as

possible in suspect buildings.

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