EH&E Health Experts Available to Media On Toxic Mold Contamination/Remediation

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Thursday July 25, 1:22 pm Eastern Time

Press Release

SOURCE: Environmental Health & Engineering

EH & E Health Experts Available to Media On Toxic Mold

Contamination/Remediation

NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 25, 2002--Recent articles in Time,

Business Week, USA Weekly, and segments on several TV stations around the

country have focused on the growing concern over the health and insurance

implications of mold contamination. The public is looking for answers and

guidance as to how they can put this " newly recognized " hazard into

perspective.

Environmental Health & Engineering (EH & E), a national leader in mold

assessment and remediation management, is working on more than $150 million

of mold projects around the country. EH & E is making its health and

engineering staff available to provide credible, responsible, and expert

background information on mold contamination related issues for print,

on-camera, or on-air coverage. We can also quickly gather a panel of experts

from EPA, the Harvard School of Public Health and other leading institutions

to provide the latest data and viewpoints.

McCarthy, Sc.D., C.I. H., EH & E president, commented: " The public's

awareness of toxic mold is increasing with recent media coverage of

multi-million dollar jury awards in Texas and Delaware. Policy decisions

with far reaching public health and economic implications are being made

with little understanding of this complex problem. Although mold can cause

many indoor air quality problems, it is essential that a technically

accurate perspective be presented to ensure protection of the public's well

being. "

EH & E's McCarthy has been involved with more than 2,500 indoor air quality

related assessments in a variety of institutional, commercial, and

industrial buildings. Spengler, Ph.D., a principal at EH & E, has spoken

and written widely on toxic indoor air related issues. EH & E's Director of

Aerobiology, Harriet Burge, Ph.D., is well known as a leading expert on

mold. Both Spengler and Burge are professors at Harvard's School of Public

Health.

Some notable recent news regarding mold include:

State Farm General Insurance has stopped writing homeowners insurance in

California because of mold and many other insurance companies have added

mold exclusions to policies.

Rep. Conyers (D-MI) has introduced a bill, H.R. 5040: The United States

Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act, in June 2002.

At least 11 state legislatures have pending toxic mold-related bills

introduced this year.

A newly constructed courthouse in Florida was closed because of mold

contamination. The county filed suit against the contractor and was awarded

$11.5-million jury verdict.

A Texas jury awarded a married couple a $32-million judgement against their

insurance company for failing to act promptly on their claims of a mold

problem.

A California courthouse is the subject of a lawsuit brought by a district

court judge and 100 other employees for injuries allegedly caused by

Stachybotrys resulting from defects in the air-conditioning system.

As a result of flooding in Texas last year, mold-damage claims will account

for nearly $500 million in additional costs for insurance companies.

Mold grows in moist or wet indoor environments. Mold often results from

leaky roofs, moisture condensation, small water leaks, and flooding. For

example, recent flooding in the Southwest resulted in a significant increase

in mold growth and reported health problems. The health effects of mold can

range from minor irritation to mild to severe allergic reactions and,

potentially, to toxicity. Initial indicators of a possible mold problem

include musty odors, signs of water damage, or an increase in allergic

symptoms among building users.

Newton-based Environmental Health & Engineering's expertise in air quality

and mold remediation management, health impact assessments, and building

engineering is being recognized by the facilities management industry as an

essential element in assisting with their normal and emergency building

operations. EH & E's staff is associated with the Harvard School of Public

Health. EH & E, founded in 1988, is the prime contractor for the US

Environmental Protection Agency for indoor environmental research. EH & E also

manages the Environmental, Health and Safety offices for Brigham and Women's

Hospital and the Harvard Institutes of Medicine, both in Boston,

Massachusetts.

Contact:

Environmental Health & Engineering

Shore, 617/964-8550

dshore@...

or

Fuessler Group

Rolf Fuessler, 617/451-9383

fuessler@...