State Wades Into Oak Ridge Mold Mystery

[Guest guest]

Besides this article accurately portraying the legitimate science behind

the complaints of illness as so eloquently stated by the esteemed (and better

educated than I even knew he was!), Dr. Jack Thrasher,

this article also shows a clear indication that a much needed change in

government has arrived:

" The NCDOL also warned the school system not to retaliate against any

employee involved in filing the claim, citing the North Carolina statute against

such retaliation. "

And in case you missed it....our very own esteemed Jack Thrasher, PHD

" Thrasher is a California toxicologist who has reviewed some of the test

results done over the past two years at Oak Ridge. ...Thrasher provided a

resume that lends credence to his opinions. He's a Ph.D., not a medical

doctor, but his resume lists the things you'd expect to find in an

environmental

expert: a 1964 doctorate in human cellular biology from the University of

California School of Medicine, professorships at the University of

California School of Medicine and the University of Colorado School of

Medicine,

numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals on the medical effects of

environmental hazards, bearing titles such as, " On the Neuropsychological and

Electrocortical Impacts of Mixed Mold Exposure, " and numerous memberships in

scientific societies....

Thrasher shows a precise knowledge of the peer-reviewed literature on

mold, the chemical and biological tests for mold exposure, and the medical

effects of exposure to mold and other contaminants. He may be right or wrong,

but he's not speaking from ignorance. "

In a message dated 6/27/2009 2:33:40 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

tigerpaw2c@... writes:

Sat, Jun 27, 2009 05:18 PM June 25, 2009 issue

RhinoTimes.com Greensboro - Greensboro,NC,Rhi

Articles

State Wades Into Oak Ridge Mold Mystery

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(http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-i-2009-06-25-197022.112113_State_Wade\

s_Into_Oak_Ridge_Mold_Mystery.ht

ml)

by C.

Staff Writerwrite the authorJune 25, 2009

The pressure on Guilford County Schools to solve the mystery of health

symptoms reported by students and parents at Oak Ridge Elementary School is

increasing.

Students and parents at the school have reported persistent and

increasingly severe symptoms at Oak Ridge since it was completely rebuilt in

2005.

On June 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North

Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) , which investigates complaints of

hazardous workplace environments, wrote to Guilford County Schools with the

first

official complaint from Oak Ridge employees and parents, ordering the school

system to investigate the conditions at Oak Ridge and report its finding

to the NCDOL by June 24.

The complaint released by the NCDOL said that employees at the school are

exposed to mold inside the HVAC unit, walls and carpet of the school, and

that employees are experiencing adverse health effects, including skin

rashes, headaches, nosebleeds, fever, blurred vision, sore throats and fatigue.

The NCDOL wrote to Oak Ridge Elementary School on June 15 stating that the

agency has not yet determined whether or not the hazards alleged in the

complaint exist, and isn't conducting an independent investigation of the

school at this time. But the agency ordered the school to conduct an

investigation, and to correct any environmental hazards found.

" Within seven working days of your receipt of this letter, please advise

us, in writing, by certified mail of your findings and of the action you

have taken, " the NCDOL wrote. " Your response should be detailed, stating

specifically what actions you have taken to correct each hazard. You should

enclose any supporting documentation, such as monitoring results, equipment

purchases, photographs, etc. "

The NCDOL also warned the school system not to retaliate against any

employee involved in filing the claim, citing the North Carolina statute

against

such retaliation.

The NCDOL wrote that the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act

allows it to issue citations and penalties to the school if the school

system doesn't adequately respond and the NCDOL has to investigate the

building itself.

The NCDOL wrote, " If we do not receive a response from you within seven

working days indicating that appropriate action has been taken, or that no

hazard exists and why, an inspection may be conducted. "

The NCDOL's involvement is just the latest chapter in the Oak Ridge saga,

which dates to the 2005 rebuilding of the school. In addition to the health

symptoms, parents and teachers at the school have reported persistent

water leaks in the building since then, and internal and third-party

inspections began turning up mold in the floors, bathrooms and heating,

ventilation

and air-conditioning system of the school at least as early as 2007, the

earliest date for which records are yet available.

Some parents and teachers at the school accuse Guilford County Schools of

inaction on Oak Ridge. Others say the school system has been responsive,

but obviously has not yet found the cause of the problem, which, according to

a survey of symptoms released by the Guilford County Department of Public

Health on June 12, increased between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school

years.

One toxicologist, Jack Thrasher, said Guilford County Schools hasn't done

specific enough tests to identify any mold-related health risks at Oak

Ridge.

Thrasher is a California toxicologist who has reviewed some of the test

results done over the past two years at Oak Ridge. Unlike May, the

self-proclaimed mold expert who has grabbed the spotlight in recent weeks in

the Oak Ridge controversy, Thrasher provided a resume that lends credence to

his opinions. He's a Ph.D., not a medical doctor, but his resume lists the

things you'd expect to find in an environmental expert: a 1964 doctorate in

human cellular biology from the University of California School of

Medicine, professorships at the University of California School of Medicine and

the University of Colorado School of Medicine, numerous publications in

peer-reviewed journals on the medical effects of environmental hazards, bearing

titles such as, " On the Neuropsychological and Electrocortical Impacts of

Mixed Mold Exposure, " and numerous memberships in scientific societies.

We haven't verified all of the material on Thrasher's resume – news

outlets rarely do, unless, as with May, there are reasons to doubt a person's

qualifications – but we have no reason to doubt them. Like May, Thrasher

works

as a consultant on issues of mold and other environmental contaminants.

Unlike May, Thrasher shows a precise knowledge of the peer-reviewed

literature on mold, the chemical and biological tests for mold exposure, and

the

medical effects of exposure to mold and other contaminants. He may be right or

wrong, but he's not speaking from ignorance.

Thrasher reviewed some of the tests done by Workplace Hygiene, the

industrial-hygiene firm hired by Guilford County Schools to test the air and

carpets at Oak Ridge, and said he found them lacking. " Those were all standard

testing, but it's incomplete testing, " he said.

Thrasher said that the tape-lift and air tests done at Oak Ridge are fine,

but should be followed up with dust tests to measure the school on the US

Environmental Protection Agency's " Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. "

Such DNA tests of mold found in dust identify 36 types of mold more

precisely than air tests and tape lifts, and supporters of dust tests say they

are more useful in diagnosing the danger level posed by mold in a building.

Others say dust tests are useful, but don't correlate directly to known

health symptoms – and that positive results on the dust test show a need for

more investigation, rather than proving a causal effect by the mold on

reported health symptoms.

Thrasher reviewed the vacuum-sample tests and tape lifts done on carpets

at Oak Ridge and said they were probably valid.

" That would indicate to me that there is very little mold being held by

the carpets, and I see nothing wrong with that, " Thrasher said. " But what I'm

concerned about is what's in the HVAC system. "

Thrasher said that, in addition to the dust tests, Guilford County Schools

should do bulk tests on any mold-contaminated building materials found at

Oak Ridge. In other words, if the school system finds a mold-contaminated

section of wall board, it should do DNA testing on that part of the wall.

Thrasher also suggested that the school system do a gas chromatographic

mass spectrometer test for microtoxins on samples taken at the school, using

even more specialized high pressure/performancThrasher also suggested that

the school system do a gas chromatographic mass spectrometer test for

microtoxins on samples

Thrasher said that dust tests are more reliable than tests for mold

spores, such as Guilford County Schools has had done, because specialists have

demonstrated in studies that mold-related microtoxins are found in fine

particulate matter, not just in spores – and that contaminated dust can enter

the alveoli of human lungs and thus enter the bloodstream.

May is trying to sell parents and teachers at Oak Ridge DNA tests for

human urine. Thrasher said that DNA tests on human tissue, or on

mold-contaminated materials, are valid – but that he doesn't consider the

type of test

May describes valid.

" I doubt very much that you're going to find mold DNA in the urine, unless

there's severe kidney infection, " he said. " The woman doesn't know what

she's talking about. "

Thrasher said that a test for T-2 microtoxin – a microtoxin found in molds

and, in a highly purified form, used as a weapon – has been developed, but

by Dr. Dennis Hooper of RealTime Laboratories of Dallas. He said that test

has not yet been approved for use in humans.

Kareis, an industrial hygienist with Workplace Hygiene, agreed with

most of Thrasher's assessments, and welcomed his input on future tests at

the school.

" Most of the typical things have been done, " Kareis said. " You can test

and test and test, but unless you have a direction, you're kind of at a loss.

I'm certainly willing to listen to an outside expert. "

Kareis said that most of what he's read indicates that microtoxins stay in

mold spores and shouldn't be found in loose particles. He said the samples

taken so far have been run through a mass spectrometer, but not using the

newer HPLC method, or testing for DNA sequences. He said that the DNA tests

are expensive, and tend to err on the side of generating positive findings

that may not actually be causing health problems.

Kareis said many of the connections claimed between mold and health

problems have not yet been proven, and that federal and state regulations have

not yet caught up with the mold health debate by establishing standards.

" There's no regulatory basis for any of this, " he said. " And a lot of it

comes down to individual susceptibility. It's tricky to interpret that type

of stuff, unless you have a huge amount of a particular type of mold. "

Kareis said he hadn't heard that DNA tests are available for mold samples

taken from HVAC systems. " I'll look into that, " he said. " That's a good

idea. "

Documents released by Guilford County Schools this week show that the

school system had Oak Ridge inspected or tested 13 times for environmental

issues between October 2007 and June 2009.

The documents show that remediation work was done at the school by outside

contractors four times during that period: in July and August 2008, when

Triad Engineering and Lomax Construction installed a $534,000

dehumidification system at the school; in February 2009, when an outside

contractor

installed a $5,597 variable frequency drive to increase the amount of outside

air coming into air handlers; in April 2009, when Right Touch Interiors

removed carpets and replaced them with tile for $990; in May 2009, when Get

Right Interiors did another two rounds of carpet replacement for $11,000.

Here's a partial timeline of the development of the Oak Ridge

environmental problems, going back to 2007. Guilford County Schools officials

said they

are gathering documents on any earlier reports of air-quality problems,

tests or remediation before then:

The new Oak Ridge Elementary opened in August 2005. Parents and teachers

have said that they reported water leaks and moldy smells at the school

beginning soon after the opening.

After reports of indoor air quality problems, Guilford County Schools on

Oct. 25, 2007, took air samples and tape-lift samples from carpets in a

classroom, at a cost of $780. The tests indicated slightly elevated mold-spore

counts. Guilford County Schools hired Kareis of Workplace Hygiene to do

additional tests for carbon dioxide and mold, looking particularly at the air

handlers and vacuum pump in the HVAC system, at a cost of $2,101.

The Workplace Hygiene tests found microbial growth in four air handlers,

and the school system hired All Kleen to clean the air handlers, at a cost

of $3,507.

In July and August 2008, the dehumidification system was installed.

On Oct. 20, 2008, tape-lift samples found microbial growth in three air

handlers. All Kleen cleaned the air handlers at a cost of $6,500.

On Oct. 24, 2008, vacuum pump sampling found mold spores in carpeting at

the school. Cleaners cleaned the carpets in three classrooms and

the main office, at a cost of $1,380.

In January 2009, more indoor air quality complaints were made, and a test

of the HVAC system found carbon-dioxide levels higher than recommended in

the school's G Wing.

In February 2009, a variable frequency drive was installed to increase the

amount of fresh air going into the G Wing.

In April 2009, the building was inspected by Lipton, of the North

Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The concrete slab on which

the school rests was also tested for moisture in six places, and the

moisture content of the concrete was found to be within acceptable limits.

In May 2009, the carpets were replaced with tile in three rooms, and

Workplace Hygiene did additional tests for airborne mold. Those tests found

mold

levels " well below the outdoor total mold-spore counts. " A second round of

tests found trace amounts of mold in carpets and levels of spores in the

air below those in the outside air. The tests also found higher than

recommended levels of volatile organic compounds in six of 20 classrooms.

Another

round of carpet cleaning was done.

Thrasher questioned the results of those tests, saying that high levels of

alcohol found probably indicated the use of cleaning fluids, which could

have invalidated the tests. Kareis acknowledged the possibility, and said he

had warned Guilford County Schools of the possibility.

The most recent water leak report by parents is of a stain on the inside

wall of the school's gym. Kareis said he checked on that report and found

that there is efflorescence on the wall of the gym. Efflorescence is a

mineral deposit that occurs on concrete and cinderblocks in the presence of

moisture. Kareis said Guilford County Schools employees were investigating the

situation.

The next chapter in the Oak Ridge mystery may come this month, when a

building health evaluation team from the National Institute for Occupational

Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is part of the US Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, inspects the school.

Kareis said that NIOSH will use a borescope, a fiber-optic wire with an

attached camera, to look inside the walls.

" The trick with a school, unfortunately, is that typically the walls are

insulated, " he said. " When you poke your scope into the walls, all you see

is yellow. "

If that doesn't work, NIOSH will probably cut into the walls to take

samples, Kareis said.

Mold is known to cause health problems in people allergic to it, and

thought to cause health problems in people that aren't, although experts

contacted said the science of symptoms in the non-allergic is still unsettled.

In 2004, a report by the US Institute of Medicine concluded that there is

an association between indoor mold and respiratory effects, such as

exacerbation of indoor asthma. It found insufficient evidence to link indoor

mold

with other conditions, including cancer and pulmonary hemorrhages.

A September 2008 review of medical literature by the US Government

Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, concluded that there

is

a plausible link between pulmonary hemorrhages in infants and exposure to

some mold-produced toxins, and called for more research.

**************Make your summer sizzle with fast and easy recipes for the

grill. (http://food.aol.com/grilling?ncid=emlcntusfood00000006)

[Guest guest]

Sat, Jun 27, 2009 05:18 PM June 25, 2009 issue

RhinoTimes.com Greensboro - Greensboro,NC,USA

Articles

State Wades Into Oak Ridge Mold Mystery

http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-i-2009-06-25-197022.112113_State_Wades\

_Into_Oak_Ridge_Mold_Mystery.html

by C.

Staff Writerwrite the authorJune 25, 2009

The pressure on Guilford County Schools to solve the mystery of health symptoms

reported by students and parents at Oak Ridge Elementary School is increasing.

Students and parents at the school have reported persistent and increasingly

severe symptoms at Oak Ridge since it was completely rebuilt in 2005.

On June 15, the Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North Carolina

Department of Labor (NCDOL) , which investigates complaints of hazardous

workplace environments, wrote to Guilford County Schools with the first official

complaint from Oak Ridge employees and parents, ordering the school system to

investigate the conditions at Oak Ridge and report its finding to the NCDOL by

June 24.

The complaint released by the NCDOL said that employees at the school are

exposed to mold inside the HVAC unit, walls and carpet of the school, and that

employees are experiencing adverse health effects, including skin rashes,

headaches, nosebleeds, fever, blurred vision, sore throats and fatigue.

The NCDOL wrote to Oak Ridge Elementary School on June 15 stating that the

agency has not yet determined whether or not the hazards alleged in the

complaint exist, and isn't conducting an independent investigation of the school

at this time. But the agency ordered the school to conduct an investigation, and

to correct any environmental hazards found.

" Within seven working days of your receipt of this letter, please advise us, in

writing, by certified mail of your findings and of the action you have taken, "

the NCDOL wrote. " Your response should be detailed, stating specifically what

actions you have taken to correct each hazard. You should enclose any supporting

documentation, such as monitoring results, equipment purchases, photographs,

etc. "

The NCDOL also warned the school system not to retaliate against any employee

involved in filing the claim, citing the North Carolina statute against such

retaliation.

The NCDOL wrote that the North Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Act

allows it to issue citations and penalties to the school if the school system

doesn't adequately respond and the NCDOL has to investigate the building itself.

The NCDOL wrote, " If we do not receive a response from you within seven working

days indicating that appropriate action has been taken, or that no hazard exists

and why, an inspection may be conducted. "

The NCDOL's involvement is just the latest chapter in the Oak Ridge saga, which

dates to the 2005 rebuilding of the school. In addition to the health symptoms,

parents and teachers at the school have reported persistent water leaks in the

building since then, and internal and third-party inspections began turning up

mold in the floors, bathrooms and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning

system of the school at least as early as 2007, the earliest date for which

records are yet available.

Some parents and teachers at the school accuse Guilford County Schools of

inaction on Oak Ridge. Others say the school system has been responsive, but

obviously has not yet found the cause of the problem, which, according to a

survey of symptoms released by the Guilford County Department of Public Health

on June 12, increased between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years.

One toxicologist, Jack Thrasher, said Guilford County Schools hasn't done

specific enough tests to identify any mold-related health risks at Oak Ridge.

Thrasher is a California toxicologist who has reviewed some of the test results

done over the past two years at Oak Ridge. Unlike May, the self-proclaimed

mold expert who has grabbed the spotlight in recent weeks in the Oak Ridge

controversy, Thrasher provided a resume that lends credence to his opinions.

He's a Ph.D., not a medical doctor, but his resume lists the things you'd expect

to find in an environmental expert: a 1964 doctorate in human cellular biology

from the University of California School of Medicine, professorships at the

University of California School of Medicine and the University of Colorado

School of Medicine, numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals on the

medical effects of environmental hazards, bearing titles such as, " On the

Neuropsychological and Electrocortical Impacts of Mixed Mold Exposure, " and

numerous memberships in scientific societies.

We haven't verified all of the material on Thrasher's resume – news outlets

rarely do, unless, as with May, there are reasons to doubt a person's

qualifications – but we have no reason to doubt them. Like May, Thrasher works

as a consultant on issues of mold and other environmental contaminants. Unlike

May, Thrasher shows a precise knowledge of the peer-reviewed literature on mold,

the chemical and biological tests for mold exposure, and the medical effects of

exposure to mold and other contaminants. He may be right or wrong, but he's not

speaking from ignorance.

Thrasher reviewed some of the tests done by Workplace Hygiene, the

industrial-hygiene firm hired by Guilford County Schools to test the air and

carpets at Oak Ridge, and said he found them lacking. " Those were all standard

testing, but it's incomplete testing, " he said.

Thrasher said that the tape-lift and air tests done at Oak Ridge are fine, but

should be followed up with dust tests to measure the school on the US

Environmental Protection Agency's " Environmental Relative Moldiness Index. " Such

DNA tests of mold found in dust identify 36 types of mold more precisely than

air tests and tape lifts, and supporters of dust tests say they are more useful

in diagnosing the danger level posed by mold in a building. Others say dust

tests are useful, but don't correlate directly to known health symptoms – and

that positive results on the dust test show a need for more investigation,

rather than proving a causal effect by the mold on reported health symptoms.

Thrasher reviewed the vacuum-sample tests and tape lifts done on carpets at Oak

Ridge and said they were probably valid.

" That would indicate to me that there is very little mold being held by the

carpets, and I see nothing wrong with that, " Thrasher said. " But what I'm

concerned about is what's in the HVAC system. "

Thrasher said that, in addition to the dust tests, Guilford County Schools

should do bulk tests on any mold-contaminated building materials found at Oak

Ridge. In other words, if the school system finds a mold-contaminated section of

wall board, it should do DNA testing on that part of the wall.

Thrasher also suggested that the school system do a gas chromatographic mass

spectrometer test for microtoxins on samples taken at the school, using even

more specialized high pressure/performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). He

said, " It's a complex test which can be done, but which they appear not to have

done. "

Thrasher said that dust tests are more reliable than tests for mold spores, such

as Guilford County Schools has had done, because specialists have demonstrated

in studies that mold-related microtoxins are found in fine particulate matter,

not just in spores – and that contaminated dust can enter the alveoli of human

lungs and thus enter the bloodstream.

May is trying to sell parents and teachers at Oak Ridge DNA tests for human

urine. Thrasher said that DNA tests on human tissue, or on mold-contaminated

materials, are valid – but that he doesn't consider the type of test May

describes valid.

" I doubt very much that you're going to find mold DNA in the urine, unless

there's severe kidney infection, " he said. " The woman doesn't know what she's

talking about. "

Thrasher said that a test for T-2 microtoxin – a microtoxin found in molds and,

in a highly purified form, used as a weapon – has been developed, but by Dr.

Dennis Hooper of RealTime Laboratories of Dallas. He said that test has not yet

been approved for use in humans.

Kareis, an industrial hygienist with Workplace Hygiene, agreed with most

of Thrasher's assessments, and welcomed his input on future tests at the school.

" Most of the typical things have been done, " Kareis said. " You can test and test

and test, but unless you have a direction, you're kind of at a loss. I'm

certainly willing to listen to an outside expert. "

Kareis said that most of what he's read indicates that microtoxins stay in mold

spores and shouldn't be found in loose particles. He said the samples taken so

far have been run through a mass spectrometer, but not using the newer HPLC

method, or testing for DNA sequences. He said that the DNA tests are expensive,

and tend to err on the side of generating positive findings that may not

actually be causing health problems.

Kareis said many of the connections claimed between mold and health problems

have not yet been proven, and that federal and state regulations have not yet

caught up with the mold health debate by establishing standards.

" There's no regulatory basis for any of this, " he said. " And a lot of it comes

down to individual susceptibility. It's tricky to interpret that type of stuff,

unless you have a huge amount of a particular type of mold. "

Kareis said he hadn't heard that DNA tests are available for mold samples taken

from HVAC systems. " I'll look into that, " he said. " That's a good idea. "

Documents released by Guilford County Schools this week show that the school

system had Oak Ridge inspected or tested 13 times for environmental issues

between October 2007 and June 2009.

The documents show that remediation work was done at the school by outside

contractors four times during that period: in July and August 2008, when Triad

Engineering and Lomax Construction installed a $534,000 dehumidification system

at the school; in February 2009, when an outside contractor installed a $5,597

variable frequency drive to increase the amount of outside air coming into air

handlers; in April 2009, when Right Touch Interiors removed carpets and replaced

them with tile for $990; in May 2009, when Get Right Interiors did another two

rounds of carpet replacement for $11,000.

Here's a partial timeline of the development of the Oak Ridge environmental

problems, going back to 2007. Guilford County Schools officials said they are

gathering documents on any earlier reports of air-quality problems, tests or

remediation before then:

The new Oak Ridge Elementary opened in August 2005. Parents and teachers have

said that they reported water leaks and moldy smells at the school beginning

soon after the opening.

After reports of indoor air quality problems, Guilford County Schools on Oct.

25, 2007, took air samples and tape-lift samples from carpets in a classroom, at

a cost of $780. The tests indicated slightly elevated mold-spore counts.

Guilford County Schools hired Kareis of Workplace Hygiene to do additional tests

for carbon dioxide and mold, looking particularly at the air handlers and vacuum

pump in the HVAC system, at a cost of $2,101.

The Workplace Hygiene tests found microbial growth in four air handlers, and the

school system hired All Kleen to clean the air handlers, at a cost of $3,507.

In July and August 2008, the dehumidification system was installed.

On Oct. 20, 2008, tape-lift samples found microbial growth in three air

handlers. All Kleen cleaned the air handlers at a cost of $6,500.

On Oct. 24, 2008, vacuum pump sampling found mold spores in carpeting at the

school. Cleaners cleaned the carpets in three classrooms and the main

office, at a cost of $1,380.

In January 2009, more indoor air quality complaints were made, and a test of the

HVAC system found carbon-dioxide levels higher than recommended in the school's

G Wing.

In February 2009, a variable frequency drive was installed to increase the

amount of fresh air going into the G Wing.

In April 2009, the building was inspected by Lipton, of the North Carolina

Department of Health and Human Services. The concrete slab on which the school

rests was also tested for moisture in six places, and the moisture content of

the concrete was found to be within acceptable limits.

In May 2009, the carpets were replaced with tile in three rooms, and Workplace

Hygiene did additional tests for airborne mold. Those tests found mold levels

" well below the outdoor total mold-spore counts. " A second round of tests found

trace amounts of mold in carpets and levels of spores in the air below those in

the outside air. The tests also found higher than recommended levels of volatile

organic compounds in six of 20 classrooms. Another round of carpet cleaning was

done.

Thrasher questioned the results of those tests, saying that high levels of

alcohol found probably indicated the use of cleaning fluids, which could have

invalidated the tests. Kareis acknowledged the possibility, and said he had

warned Guilford County Schools of the possibility.

The most recent water leak report by parents is of a stain on the inside wall of

the school's gym. Kareis said he checked on that report and found that there is

efflorescence on the wall of the gym. Efflorescence is a mineral deposit that

occurs on concrete and cinderblocks in the presence of moisture. Kareis said

Guilford County Schools employees were investigating the situation.

The next chapter in the Oak Ridge mystery may come this month, when a building

health evaluation team from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH), which is part of the US Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, inspects the school.

Kareis said that NIOSH will use a borescope, a fiber-optic wire with an attached

camera, to look inside the walls.

" The trick with a school, unfortunately, is that typically the walls are

insulated, " he said. " When you poke your scope into the walls, all you see is

yellow. "

If that doesn't work, NIOSH will probably cut into the walls to take samples,

Kareis said.

Mold is known to cause health problems in people allergic to it, and thought to

cause health problems in people that aren't, although experts contacted said the

science of symptoms in the non-allergic is still unsettled.

In 2004, a report by the US Institute of Medicine concluded that there is an

association between indoor mold and respiratory effects, such as exacerbation of

indoor asthma. It found insufficient evidence to link indoor mold with other

conditions, including cancer and pulmonary hemorrhages.

A September 2008 review of medical literature by the US Government

Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress, concluded that there

is a plausible link between pulmonary hemorrhages in infants and exposure to

some mold-produced toxins, and called for more research.

[Guest guest]

I have a few comments to correct some misinterpretation of my conversaton with

.

1. The T-2 toxin test recommended by May (I have a copy of her resume,

pathetic, in case anyone wants a copy) is marketed by an entity not associated

with Dr. Hooper. The T-2 toxin kit was developed and is sold for testing for

mycotoxins in foods. It detects moncyclic (T-2 toxin) trichothecenes. It has

not been approved by the FDA for use with human urine. It does not test for Mold

DNA by PCR.

2. Dr. Hooper took the T-2 kit concept, developed his own patented method and

can test for macrocyclic trichothecenes, aflatoxins and ochratoxins in human

body fluids and in biopsy and autopsy specimens. His laboratory has undergone

CLIA inspections and passed honorably. He is allowed to use the test for human

diagnostic. The FDA does not approve or recommend any diagnostic test. For

example, CBC, blood chemistry, skin allergy tests, IBT hypersensitivity

pnemoniitis panel, etc. are not approved by the FDA. The testing laboratories

must undergo CLIA inspections. If they pass the inpsection then they are

allowed to perform the diagnostic tests.

3. Mr Kreis is not up on the literature regarding molds and where mycotoxins

are found. All should be aware of the research by Dr. Brasel and Dr. Kraus as

well as that of Dr. Gorny. Fine particulates (<2 microns) are shed from mold

and bacterial colonies at frequencies of 1 to 20 hertz. These frequencies lie

in normal human activity, e.g. talking, walking, TV, radio, etc. The fine

particulates are up to 320 times more concentrated than are mold spores and

hyphae. Mycotoxins and other toxins are present in this fine particulate

fraction. As a matter of fact, Drs. Brasel and Straus demonstrated the presence

of trichothecenes in these fine particles and in the sera of individuals exposed

to Stachybotrys in contaminated buildings. Finally, Dr. has demonstrated

the presence of gliotoxin in the sera of patients with aspergillosis. Gliotoxin

is produced by species of Candida and Aspergillus.

4. Dr. Hooper has developed and patented a very sensitivie PCR mold DNA test

that is very accurate. Although the ERMI test my produce results that

overstate the extent of the contamination, nevertheless, it is still useful for

determining mold species in the indoor and outdoor environments. Dr. Hooper's

test is even more reliable for bulk samples and can also be used to detect mold

DNA in biopsy and autopsy materials.

5. The press, M.D.s, and others keep citing the Institute of Medicine Report as

a reliable source. I must remind everyone that the IOM cut off for its

literature review was in October, 2003. Therefore, the IOM report is outdated

by almost 6 years. It also missed key papers, particularly those published

after the cutoff date, e.g. Drs. Crago, Gray, Kilburn, Brasel, Straus, Gorny to

mention a few.

6. We must commend and thank Sharon Kramer for gettin the GAO report

accomplished on mold. This report concluded that there is evidence that mold is

a health problem and more research is needed in this area. I agree.

7. Note in the article on the Oak Ridge siluation that remediation was done.

Testing of molds was done after remediation for the most part. The majority of

sampling was for airborne spores, which only represents that specific time and

day. Dr. of the Health Deparment stated that hidden mold is not

important (Tsk, Tsk).

8. Again, emphasis is being placed only on molds. Bacteria (gram negative and

positive) grow along with the mold. The potentially dangerous gram positive

bacteria include Actinobacter (Streptomyces, Nocardia and Mycobacterium), which

can be human pathogens and which do produce toxins of their own. For example,

Streptomyces species is the source of toxic antiobtics as well as

chemotherpeutics. Mycobacterium can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis, can be

infectious (mycetoma) and Mycobacteriu Avium Comples (MAC) is on the increase

World Wide in both immune competent and immune incompetent individuals. As a

matter of fact, so is Aspergillosis. The tram negative bacteria are potential

pathogens and release endotoxins.

If you want to become educated on the indoor environment and its potential

health effects, I suggest that you do a search of the literature via entrez

pubmed as well as Google. I am through and will get off my high horse.

Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist

www.drthrasher.org

toxicologist1@...

Off: 916-745-4703

Cell: 575-937-1150

L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC

Trauma Specialist

sandracrawley@...

916-745-4703 - Off

775-309-3994 - Cell

This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered

privileged and confidential. The forwarding or redistribution of this message

(and any attachments) without my prior written consent is strictly prohibited

and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose of this message has been

served, please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this

message in error, please reply immediately to advise the sender of the

miscommunication and then delete the message and any copies you have printed.

Thank you in advance for your compliance.

[Guest guest]

Dr Thrasher,

Your high horse, as you call it, is both very informative and

valuable. Ride anytime and take us along!

Carl Grimes

Healthy Habitats LLC

-----

>

>

> I have a few comments to correct some misinterpretation of my conversaton with

.

>

> 1. The T-2 toxin test recommended by May (I have a copy of her resume,

pathetic, in case anyone

> wants a copy) is marketed by an entity not associated with Dr. Hooper. The T-2

toxin kit was developed and

> is sold for testing for mycotoxins in foods. It detects moncyclic (T-2 toxin)

trichothecenes. It has not been

> approved by the FDA for use with human urine. It does not test for Mold DNA by

PCR.

>

> 2. Dr. Hooper took the T-2 kit concept, developed his own patented method and

can test for macrocyclic

> trichothecenes, aflatoxins and ochratoxins in human body fluids and in biopsy

and autopsy specimens. His

> laboratory has undergone CLIA inspections and passed honorably. He is allowed

to use the test for human

> diagnostic. The FDA does not approve or recommend any diagnostic test. For

example, CBC, blood

> chemistry, skin allergy tests, IBT hypersensitivity pnemoniitis panel, etc.

are not approved by the FDA. The

> testing laboratories must undergo CLIA inspections. If they pass the

inpsection then they are allowed to

> perform the diagnostic tests.

>

> 3. Mr Kreis is not up on the literature regarding molds and where mycotoxins

are found. All should be aware

> of the research by Dr. Brasel and Dr. Kraus as well as that of Dr. Gorny. Fine

particulates (<2 microns) are

> shed from mold and bacterial colonies at frequencies of 1 to 20 hertz. These

frequencies lie in normal human

> activity, e.g. talking, walking, TV, radio, etc. The fine particulates are up

to 320 times more concentrated

> than are mold spores and hyphae. Mycotoxins and other toxins are present in

this fine particulate fraction.

> As a matter of fact, Drs. Brasel and Straus demonstrated the presence of

trichothecenes in these fine particles

> and in the sera of individuals exposed to Stachybotrys in contaminated

buildings. Finally, Dr. has

> demonstrated the presence of gliotoxin in the sera of patients with

aspergillosis. Gliotoxin is produced by

> species of Candida and Aspergillus.

>

> 4. Dr. Hooper has developed and patented a very sensitivie PCR mold DNA test

that is very accurate.

> Although the ERMI test my produce results that overstate the extent of the

contamination, nevertheless, it is

> still useful for determining mold species in the indoor and outdoor

environments. Dr. Hooper's test is even

> more reliable for bulk samples and can also be used to detect mold DNA in

biopsy and autopsy materials.

>

> 5. The press, M.D.s, and others keep citing the Institute of Medicine Report

as a reliable source. I must

> remind everyone that the IOM cut off for its literature review was in October,

2003. Therefore, the IOM

> report is outdated by almost 6 years. It also missed key papers, particularly

those published after the cutoff

> date, e.g. Drs. Crago, Gray, Kilburn, Brasel, Straus, Gorny to mention a few.

>

> 6. We must commend and thank Sharon Kramer for gettin the GAO report

accomplished on mold. This

> report concluded that there is evidence that mold is a health problem and more

research is needed in this

> area. I agree.

>

> 7. Note in the article on the Oak Ridge siluation that remediation was done.

Testing of molds was done after

> remediation for the most part. The majority of sampling was for airborne

spores, which only represents that

> specific time and day. Dr. of the Health Deparment stated that hidden

mold is not important (Tsk,

> Tsk).

>

> 8. Again, emphasis is being placed only on molds. Bacteria (gram negative and

positive) grow along with the

> mold. The potentially dangerous gram positive bacteria include Actinobacter

(Streptomyces, Nocardia and

> Mycobacterium), which can be human pathogens and which do produce toxins of

their own. For example,

> Streptomyces species is the source of toxic antiobtics as well as

chemotherpeutics. Mycobacterium can cause

> hypersensitivity pneumonitis, can be infectious (mycetoma) and Mycobacteriu

Avium Comples (MAC) is on

> the increase World Wide in both immune competent and immune incompetent

individuals. As a matter of

> fact, so is Aspergillosis. The tram negative bacteria are potential pathogens

and release endotoxins.

>

> If you want to become educated on the indoor environment and its potential

health effects, I suggest that you

> do a search of the literature via entrez pubmed as well as Google. I am

through and will get off my high horse.

>

> Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

> Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist

> www.drthrasher.org

> toxicologist1@...

> Off: 916-745-4703

> Cell: 575-937-1150

>

> L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC

> Trauma Specialist

> sandracrawley@...

> 916-745-4703 - Off

> 775-309-3994 - Cell

>

> This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered

privileged and confidential. The

> forwarding or redistribution of this message (and any attachments) without my

prior written consent is

> strictly prohibited and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose of

this message has been served,

> please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this

message in error, please reply

> immediately to advise the sender of the miscommunication and then delete the

message and any copies you

> have printed. Thank you in advance for your compliance.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'll second that. Ride on!!

KC

>

> Dr Thrasher,

>

> Your high horse, as you call it, is both very informative and

> valuable. Ride anytime and take us along!

>

> Carl Grimes

> Healthy Habitats LLC

>

> -----

> >

> >

> > I have a few comments to correct some misinterpretation of my conversaton

with .

> >

> > 1. The T-2 toxin test recommended by May (I have a copy of her resume,

pathetic, in case anyone

> > wants a copy) is marketed by an entity not associated with Dr. Hooper. The

T-2 toxin kit was developed and

> > is sold for testing for mycotoxins in foods. It detects moncyclic (T-2

toxin) trichothecenes. It has not been

> > approved by the FDA for use with human urine. It does not test for Mold DNA

by PCR.

> >

> > 2. Dr. Hooper took the T-2 kit concept, developed his own patented method

and can test for macrocyclic

> > trichothecenes, aflatoxins and ochratoxins in human body fluids and in

biopsy and autopsy specimens. His

> > laboratory has undergone CLIA inspections and passed honorably. He is

allowed to use the test for human

> > diagnostic. The FDA does not approve or recommend any diagnostic test. For

example, CBC, blood

> > chemistry, skin allergy tests, IBT hypersensitivity pnemoniitis panel, etc.

are not approved by the FDA. The

> > testing laboratories must undergo CLIA inspections. If they pass the

inpsection then they are allowed to

> > perform the diagnostic tests.

> >

> > 3. Mr Kreis is not up on the literature regarding molds and where mycotoxins

are found. All should be aware

> > of the research by Dr. Brasel and Dr. Kraus as well as that of Dr. Gorny.

Fine particulates (<2 microns) are

> > shed from mold and bacterial colonies at frequencies of 1 to 20 hertz. These

frequencies lie in normal human

> > activity, e.g. talking, walking, TV, radio, etc. The fine particulates are

up to 320 times more concentrated

> > than are mold spores and hyphae. Mycotoxins and other toxins are present in

this fine particulate fraction.

> > As a matter of fact, Drs. Brasel and Straus demonstrated the presence of

trichothecenes in these fine particles

> > and in the sera of individuals exposed to Stachybotrys in contaminated

buildings. Finally, Dr. has

> > demonstrated the presence of gliotoxin in the sera of patients with

aspergillosis. Gliotoxin is produced by

> > species of Candida and Aspergillus.

> >

> > 4. Dr. Hooper has developed and patented a very sensitivie PCR mold DNA test

that is very accurate.

> > Although the ERMI test my produce results that overstate the extent of the

contamination, nevertheless, it is

> > still useful for determining mold species in the indoor and outdoor

environments. Dr. Hooper's test is even

> > more reliable for bulk samples and can also be used to detect mold DNA in

biopsy and autopsy materials.

> >

> > 5. The press, M.D.s, and others keep citing the Institute of Medicine Report

as a reliable source. I must

> > remind everyone that the IOM cut off for its literature review was in

October, 2003. Therefore, the IOM

> > report is outdated by almost 6 years. It also missed key papers,

particularly those published after the cutoff

> > date, e.g. Drs. Crago, Gray, Kilburn, Brasel, Straus, Gorny to mention a

few.

> >

> > 6. We must commend and thank Sharon Kramer for gettin the GAO report

accomplished on mold. This

> > report concluded that there is evidence that mold is a health problem and

more research is needed in this

> > area. I agree.

> >

> > 7. Note in the article on the Oak Ridge siluation that remediation was done.

Testing of molds was done after

> > remediation for the most part. The majority of sampling was for airborne

spores, which only represents that

> > specific time and day. Dr. of the Health Deparment stated that

hidden mold is not important (Tsk,

> > Tsk).

> >

> > 8. Again, emphasis is being placed only on molds. Bacteria (gram negative

and positive) grow along with the

> > mold. The potentially dangerous gram positive bacteria include Actinobacter

(Streptomyces, Nocardia and

> > Mycobacterium), which can be human pathogens and which do produce toxins of

their own. For example,

> > Streptomyces species is the source of toxic antiobtics as well as

chemotherpeutics. Mycobacterium can cause

> > hypersensitivity pneumonitis, can be infectious (mycetoma) and Mycobacteriu

Avium Comples (MAC) is on

> > the increase World Wide in both immune competent and immune incompetent

individuals. As a matter of

> > fact, so is Aspergillosis. The tram negative bacteria are potential

pathogens and release endotoxins.

> >

> > If you want to become educated on the indoor environment and its potential

health effects, I suggest that you

> > do a search of the literature via entrez pubmed as well as Google. I am

through and will get off my high horse.

> >

> > Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

> > Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist

> > www.drthrasher.org

> > toxicologist1@...

> > Off: 916-745-4703

> > Cell: 575-937-1150

> >

> > L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC

> > Trauma Specialist

> > sandracrawley@...

> > 916-745-4703 - Off

> > 775-309-3994 - Cell

> >

> > This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered

privileged and confidential. The

> > forwarding or redistribution of this message (and any attachments) without

my prior written consent is

> > strictly prohibited and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose

of this message has been served,

> > please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this

message in error, please reply

> > immediately to advise the sender of the miscommunication and then delete the

message and any copies you

> > have printed. Thank you in advance for your compliance.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Here it is:

_http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-980_

(http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-980)

_U.S. GAO - Indoor Mold: Better Coordination of Research on Health Effects

and More Consistent Guidance Would Improve Federal ._

(http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-980)

In a message dated 6/28/2009 8:25:00 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

barb1283@... writes:

Sharon, Did you post a link to GAO report about mold and it's health

affects? I must have missed it. Does anyone know about this mentioned in Dr

Thrasher's post? Thanks!

**************It's raining cats and dogs -- Come to PawNation, a place

where pets rule! (http://www.pawnation.com/?ncid=emlcntnew00000008)

[Guest guest]

Sharon, Did you post a link to GAO report about mold and it's health affects? I

must have missed it. Does anyone know about this mentioned in Dr Thrasher's

post? Thanks!

--- In , " Jack Thrasher, Ph.D. " <toxicologist1@...>

wrote:

>

>>

> 6. We must commend and thank Sharon Kramer for gettin the GAO report

accomplished on mold. This report concluded that there is evidence that mold is

a health problem and more research is needed in this area. I agree.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Carl and KC. I will keep riding, but at my age I will be careful

regarding the vitality of the Steed I choose to ride.

Jack D. Thrasher, Ph.D.

Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist

www.drthrasher.org

toxicologist1@...

Off: 916-745-4703

Cell: 575-937-1150

L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC

Trauma Specialist

sandracrawley@...

916-745-4703 - Off

775-309-3994 - Cell

This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered

privileged and confidential. The forwarding or redistribution of this message

(and any attachments) without my prior written consent is strictly prohibited

and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose of this message has been

served, please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this

message in error, please reply immediately to advise the sender of the

miscommunication and then delete the message and any copies you have printed.

Thank you in advance for your compliance.