letter to Oprah-never responded

[Guest guest]

Apparently Oprah never responded to this letter by Carmen Maretic.

Teri

April 5, 2000

The Oprah Winfrey Show

PO Box 909715

Chicago, Illinois

USA 60690

Dear Ms. Winfrey and/or Staff:

Would your show be interested in helping more than 100,000+ British Columbians, countless Canadians and Americans in all fifty states?

My name is Carmen Maretic. I am a Realtor in Vancouver, British Columbia who discovered many of my clients were having enormous repair costs on new and newer homes. These repairs have threatened their independence, their health and their future. The effects of this situation are so devastating on homeowners that I felt a sense of duty to do what I could to assist them. As a result, in November of 1997 I began advocating on behalf of affected homeowners. Two and half years later it has become the most costly construction crisis in Canadian history (possibly North American) - an estimated $1 billion+ problem. The media has dubbed it “the “leaky condo crisis”. What it really means is that buildings, built incorrectly are taking in water, which rot the main structural components of the building, creating unsound homes. Further this moistened environment can produce mould (Americans’ spell it mold) and horrifying health affects.

A story called “Invisible Killers” on the American television program- 48 Hours struck me. It detailed the effects of mould on two American families. A family in the suburbs of Austin, Texas, The Ballards, were forced to abandon and will eventually bulldoze their mansion and belongings due to mould contamination. Mrs. Ballard (Melinda) was coughing up blood, and her husband Ron developed brain damage and was forced to resign from his position as an investment banker. Their son Reese developed asthma, permanent scarring of his lungs and could suffer from the same neurological damage as his father. Their physicians, Dr. Strauss from Texas Tech University a leading mould expert and Dr. Eckhard Uhaney from Albany, New York both believe The Ballards’ have suffered from exposure to Stachybotrus mould in their home.

In southern California, and Licon believe their mould contaminated leaky condominium has caused their six children to develop symptoms from headaches, seizures, nose bleeds, breathing difficulties and dizziness. The family left their home for seven months to allow professionals (fitted with face masks, goggles, gloves, boots and body suits) to remove the spores and mould. Away from their home the children’s symptoms subsided only to reoccur shortly after moving back into their condominium. The experts discovered that the mould and spores had resurfaced.

Can Stachybotrus kill? Dr. Deerborne from Cleveland Rainbow Children’s Hospital studied 29 children exposed to Stachybotrus mould in depth. Five of twenty-nine children studied died of bleeding lung disease. The Centers of Disease Control dispute the link between the deaths and toxic mould, however, Moriarty the reporter on this 48 hour program commented that . . . “this leaves little question that Stachybotrus mould found in all 50 states is a health hazard.” .../2

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The coastal climate of British Columbia, Canada possesses the largest concentration of homes and buildings ( including schools and hospitals ) hit with water damage in North America. The effects are staggering. Little is understood about Stachybotrus and other toxic moulds. Homeowners could unknowingly continue to reside in homes which are health hazards. A provincial government inquiry into this debacle, The Barrett Commission, expressed concern over the potential health effects to both homeowners and workers repairing these homes. The commission also reported other effects including attempted suicides, unprecedented bankruptcies, sleepless nights, divorces, jobs losses --all related to the pressure of excessive repair bills. In one condominium building, 11 seniors in a 42-unit complex died after discovering that their newer building required repairs to the tune of $100,000.00 per unit. In discussions with the owners in this building, many feel the stress of their situation contributed to these seniors’ deaths.

Governments and builders hiding behind numbered companies have done very little to relieve the burden on affected homeowners despite the findings of The Barrett Commission of Inquiry. The commission concluded that failure to provide meaningful and immediate assistance to affected homeowners could easily double direct assistance costs. The media has been reluctant to appear “anti-business” and has inadequately covered this story documented to have existed as far back as the 1960s. Homeowners - cash strapped, emotionally and physically exhausted - are left to fight this battle with little support and public understanding. The ability to rely upon the basics - shelter and healthy living conditions - is being taken from hard working, law-abiding citizens-the backbone of our communities and society.

The dedicated efforts of full time volunteers has done very little to relieve the human suffering. Perhaps this letter could lead to a broader understanding and political will to stop this preventable human tragedy in the United States and Canada.

I have been a fan of your good work and program for many years. I believe this subject being covered on your program has the potential to have unparalleled impact on public awareness of this problem. I pray that you will be willing to help.

Sincerely yours,

__________________________

Carmen Maretic

Realtor and Homeowner Advocate

Res: (604) 469-8539

Fax: (604) 469-7139

Pager: (604) 623-7667

P.S. The names of the doctors and families may be spelled incorrectly.