Mold, HP and IPF

[Guest guest]

I am also thoroughly convinced that mold was a major factor in triggering my

IPF. I used it and the existing documented indoor air quality at my place of

work as the basis for my worker's compensation claim, which was denied. I am in

appeal and have a lawyer working with me on the appeal.

The basis for my claim stems from the fact that there is a 10 year history of

documented indoor air quality problems in the office area where I worked. In

fact, the person who sat in my exact office space prior to me had developed a

lung disease, required a lung transplant which they received. After recovery

from the transplant, the person returned to work...in the exact same place!!

Two years after returning to work, the person died from a " rare lung disease " !!!

The office space in question was never designed to be office space - in the

original building plans, it was designed as a mechanical room. Thee were no

windows, low suspended ceilings, bare concrete walls and floor. The ventilation

was poor to non-existant. Pipes in the overhead area leaked, along with

condensation issues from the HVAC system. Naturally that resulted in wet

ceiling tiles, and yes...MOLD!

In addition, there was a high-volume copier located less than 6 feet from my

desk. The manufacturer suggests that the copier be in a seperate room and

exhausted directly outdoors - neither was done here! Copiers, particularly when

experiencing high usage, emit toxins into the air, primarily because of the

toner. This is also a factor with laser printers, and yes, the networked office

laser printer was also in this same area. I recently came across an article

reporting on research done by someone in Australia about toxic emissions from

laser printers. A significant number of the printer models tested were found to

emit unacceptable levels of toxins into the air.

All of these factors contributed to my firmly believing that my medical issues

all stem from my workplace. Prior to going to work in this place, my health was

excellent, other than a few extra pounds. Within 6 months of going to work in

this environment, I began feeling fatigued and experienced shortness of breath.

My primary care physician diagosed me with phuemonia and put me on antibiotics.

The symptoms seemed to go away... Within the next year, I was diagnosed with

pnuemonia an additional 3 times...each time, up until the last time, I was

prescribed antibiotics and the symptoms cleared up. The final time, in the

summer of 2007, most of the symptoms cleared up, but the shortness of breath

(SOB) did not! So back to the doctor, where the term IPF came up for the first

time. Then, after multiple X-rays, CAT scans, Pulmo visits, and PFT's it was

confirmed by VATS on December 26th, 2007.

Since that time, I have been on O2 24x7 and had to leave work. I have been

awarded Social Security Disability but, was denied worker's compensation. The

worker's comp issue is important to me for several reasons, the most important

being that if it is found that my condition is compensable under workers comp,

then I would be eligible for accidental disability retirement from the State of

NH (I was a state employee and the office was in a state facility). Needless to

say, the retiree status and the pension and health benefits would be very much

welcome!!

I have been doing a great deal of research trying to find anyone, anywhere who

may have been thru something similar. If anyone can guide me to someone, or

some place where it has been proven that airborne mold or other airborne toxic

contaminants have caused ILD or IPF, it would be greatly appreciated.

Steve aka...Knip IPF Dx 9/07 confirmed via VATS 12/07

57 New Hampshire

>

> Hi all that responded to Squeaky.  Here is my response to .  Hit the

wrong button and it might be of interest to all.  Keep on that mold idea as it

is pretty easy to figure out over time.  If it is mold and you haven't done the

work to get it out of your environment you will never improve.  If you need any

help that I can give, please let me know.  It is a serious learning curve.  I

also use a silk comfort mask when in groceries or near anything that might

bother me.  If I'm having a hard time then the mask is too difficult to get air

through although it is a wonderful item.

> Mike

>  

>  

>  

>  

> Hi ,

> On open biopsy the results came back for PF.  On looking at the report my

Dr. Hassan in ville TN, noted that they also showed some " granulation " I

think he called it.  My first attack in 1997, had been following or during a bad

URI in California during the rainy season when I was diagnosed with Interstitial

Pneumonitis. 

>

> Anyhow, Dr. Hassan sent the biopsies to Duke, Mayo or both for second

opinion.  It came back that they thought it was PF with an aspect of HP.  He put

me on a 6 month regimine of pred and when it worked very well, said I

should move west to dry climate b/c most HP was due to mold.  We lived in a very

damp environment at the edge of Smoky Mountain National Park.  

>

> To make it short, after 5 years, I am certain mold was the culprit and the PF

is secondary due to it going untreated.  I went to ER tonight with awful SOB b/c

I had attended an art show that was in a grassy field. By the time I realized

the situation it was too late.  Damage done. The reaction will take a day and

then build each day without prednisone.  This time pred didn't work.  IV

depomedrol did. 

>

> Here are the things that are sure to put me into arrest.  Grass, rainy days or

even cloudy ones, plants in the house, anywhere there is refrigeration such as

grocery stores, produce areas etc.  Windy days as dust from watered lawns etc

flies everywhere.  You will learn to smell mold if there is a pin size piece

anywhere.  When you have a reaction 100% of the time to these things you know

what you have!  Mine is severe but was not always.  It gets worse with time and

exposure.  My Dr. here says it's PF. I don't even think he has spent 5 minutes

trying to figure it out.  Only one more lung guy here so I'm likely out of luck

for a second opinion.  

>

> If I can be of any help at all we can compare more notes and I'd like to hear

about your reactions, how, when etc...  How does pred work for you? 

>

>  Mike

>  

>  Hi Mike Ferguson,

>  

>      My name is and I would like to welcome both you and Stefani to the

group.  Sorry I didn " t respond earlier with a welcome, but I have been over

whelmed with company the last two weeks.

>      I did notice in the posts you have made that you seem to attribute your

PF to mold.  I have the same feelings, but have not been able to verify it, so I

am wondering if you have a Dr. that has confirmed your assumption and if so, I

live in Arizona and am willing to travel anywhere to find the Dr that can

confirm my suspicions. 

>      Thank you and I hope (know) that you have found the best site for the

answers you will need for this disease, I will be talking with you later, good

luck!!!!

>   G.  UIP/IPF  5/07  AZ.

>