State clinic to provide mold testing

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http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sections/archive/topstoryjmp/2-20-02/News1.

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State clinic to provide mold testing

Progress: Parents believe option is first step toward treatment.

By Angeles Negrete-Lares and Criselda Valdez

THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD

More than 200 parents of Aiken Elementary and Besteiro Middle School

students on Tuesday signed a petition agreeing to work with the Texas

Department of Health to test their children for what may be symptoms of

toxic mold exposure.

The parent's action was the latest unusual step in what has become a saga of

events related to the moldy schools. The situation now involves Cameron

County elected and health officials, the school district, Valley Interfaith,

state health officials, parents, a class-action lawsuit and children.

The schools at the center of the controversy have closed and students

relocated while extensive mold and air quality tests are performed on the

buildings and they are cleaned of mold.

Parents and staff from the two adjacent schools have grown increasingly

concerned about the health risks associated with mold, but are dissatisfied

with school district officials' response and have turned to county leaders

and community groups for help.

The signatures gathered Tuesday come on the heels of an assembly arranged by

Valley Interfaith leaders, who have taken up the families' cause.

At the onset, Valley Interfaith representatives announced the plan to

partner with TDH's South Texas Health Care Systems unit, an outpatient

clinic in Harlingen.

Rosie with Valley Interfaith said STHCS representatives agreed

Tuesday that Aiken and Besteiro students would be tested at STHCS after they

" were informed of the problems experienced by hundreds of children attending

classes at the schools. "

Charges for STHCS' services will be decided by the clinic, said officials,

who gave no details as to what range of costs could be incurred by families

seeking care.

" It doesn't matter how much we will have to pay, now that it is a matter of

our children's health, " said Aiken parent Carmen Chavez.

" We're spending a lot of money every 15 days on other medical treatment that

has done nothing for my daughters. "

Parents and staff from both schools claim students and employees there

suffer from nosebleeds, headaches, seizures, earaches and other symptoms

they attribute to mold exposure.

" We have to pay anyway, " said Jaramillo, a Besteiro parent. " But the

situation is a result of a lack of response from the school district, who

should be responsible for paying for these tests. "

Brownsville Independent School District officials were not asked to

participate at this week's meetings. School board trustee Hugh Emerson was

the only BISD representative to attend Monday's gathering but did not

comment.

Repeated attempts Tuesday to reach BISD Superintendent Noe Sauceda and

Assistant Superintendent of Operations ny Pineda were unsuccessful.

Parents said they know testing is not treatment but are grateful for any

help that is offered.

The plan, Interfaith's said, is to provide testing at the clinic

while collecting results to present to Dr. in the hopes of

contracting his services.

, a Houston-based physician and mold expert, on Monday addressed a

crowd of more than 200 about the health effects of mold on people.

He is medical director for the Center for Immune, Environmental and Toxic

Disorders, specializing in the study of how toxins affect the body and the

immune system.

During the meeting, gave a brief history of mold and its effects.

Monday's meeting made something quite clear, he said Tuesday from his

Houston office: " The families present are seeking information and are

fearful about what is happening to their children.

" I went (to Brownsville) to clear up a situation that is happening and if

someone asks me to return to do what is necessary to help these families

find medical attention I will, " he said.

The meeting, arranged by Cameron County leaders, fell short of expectations

of parents and others in attendance, including who commented he was

unhappy with the meeting's political tone.

Local officials had mixed reactions to the doctor's visit.

Brownsville Public Health Director Josue has examined the joined

school buildings and worked closely with school and state health officials

to monitor the situation.

said the county's intervention was unfair, and " an insult to our

intelligence. "

" We believe the information we gave the school district and the parents

months ago was sufficient, " said.

" Basically, the information Dr. provided in the meeting was nothing

new, " he said. " It was just a new face and a new title. "

County leaders were split about the meeting they helped organize.

" I think the meeting was a success, " County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa said

Tuesday and added a joint meeting of county, state, city and school

officials would benefit the community.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Cascos said, " It went as well as can be

expected. I think a majority of the people left with more questions and more

areas of concern.

" I think several people left there scared to death, " Cascos said.

Cascos said his concern now is that the majority of the people affected will

be unable to afford the tests or treatment.