Archive for September 2006
Household levels of mold following Hurricane Katrina surpass some agricultural environments
September 23, 2006, 9:38 pmMold and bacteria levels in New Orleans homes warrant use of strong respiratory protection
In a study assessing flood clean-up procedures in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, a team of scientists led by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, report that household levels of mold and bacterial endotoxins in three single-family homes were so considerable that they equaled or surpassed those in waste- water treatment plants, cotton mills, and agricultural environments. The study is the first comprehensive report documenting levels of mold and bacteria in homes that received sustained flooding.
Following Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans homes remained flooded for weeks, promoting heavy mold growth. These three New Orleans homes were selected for the study based on their levels of flood water, whether they previously were structurally sound, and if they were located in an area likely to be rebuilt. The study examined the extent to which homes that experienced significant and prolonged exposure to flood waters could be satisfactorily cleaned to enable reconstruction. Homes were inspected for roof leakage, standing water and the extent of mold throughout their interiors, as well as heating ventilation and air conditioning.
“From our data, it is clear that levels of mold were so high that we strongly recommend that those entering, cleaning, and repairing flood-damaged homes wear respirators that are more protective than plain dust masks,” said Ginger Chew, ScD, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. “While our assessments of the data are based on a small demonstration project, the results give a clear picture of what is acceptable in flood clean-up procedures.”
The project was sponsored by the NIEHS Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan and Enterprise Community Partners, and was carried out by the Mailman School of Public Health, the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) and several other academic institutions including Tulane School of Public Health, the University of Cincinnati, Harvard School of Public Health, The University of Iowa, and Case Western Reserve University.
“Our goal was to make recommendations for the safe removal of flood-damaged articles, safe re-entry into homes, and safe levels of worker protection,” said Jonathan Wilson, deputy director of the National Center for Healthy Housing.
According to researchers, these findings not only will inform those involved in current clean-up activities in New Orleans and other environments, but will benefit those responding to any future disasters that may occur.
The findings will be published in the December issue of Environmental Health Perspectives. To access the study currently online, visit http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9258/9258.pdf
Contact: Stephanie Berger
212-305-4372
Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health
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(posted in the Resources, News category)
Insurance Lessons From Katrina
September 14, 2006, 4:33 pmThis is a rather wise story from WKRC Channel 12 in Cincinnati about some of the lessons people should be learning from the tragedies following Hurricane Katrina. To quote:
The insurance industry says only 40 percent of homeowners in New Orleans had flood insurance before hurricane Katrina. And almost 30 percent of home insurers in Ohio offer no mold coverage.
Paula Toti is looking at lessons learned from last year’s big hurricanes.
When your insurance policy comes due each year … check the coverage … make sure there haven’t been some changes in the fine print … like no more mold coverage … and remember flood insurance is never part of a standard policy.
So many people suffered huge loses after Hurricane Katrina that Congress is debating changing the National Flood Insurance Program … possibly making it tougher to rebuild on a flood plain for those who have now filed loss claims.
But if you ask those in the insurance industry … they’ll say the lesson from Katrina is that everyone should have flood insurance. It’s not cheap.
“My recollection .. For $100,000 in coverage about $300 - 400 a year.”
That coverage can be purchased through most insurance agents … but it’s actually issued by the government. And while most people in the Tri-State wouldn’t think of insuring their homes against an earthquake … at the Cincinnati Insurance Board they feel that’s a mistake.
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(posted in the legal, News category)
As awareness of mold’s hazards grows, so do countering methods
September 10, 2006, 2:28 pmFinally we’re starting to see some awareness pay off as this article from the San Francisco Chronicle demonstrates. To quote:
It’s been more than a year since Hurricane Katrina slammed New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. Initial devastation was the result of wind, rain and rising floodwaters. But as the waters receded, a more insidious invader took hold of the structures of the Big Easy — mold.
National news coverage featured homeowners and renters alike salvaging their possessions from mold-infested buildings. Mold remediation in the area has to be nothing short of epic.
The Category 4 storm coupled with the heat and humidity of the gulf provided the perfect blend of moisture, temperature and food for mold to prosper. The buildings became sponges, sucking up the water. Sheetrock and lumber became a veritable smorgasbord upon which mold spores feasted. The summer heat provided the perfect climate for mold to propagate. In essence, the city became a huge petri dish.
Katrina turned the national spotlight on mold. But in California, the mold issue has been at the forefront for several years. Mold infestation threatens the value of hyper-inflated California real estate. Equally as important, it threatens the value of the collateral of the banking industry and the bottom line of insurance companies insuring against catastrophe.
According to the Insurance Information Network of California, an industry-funded group in Pleasant Hill, California ranked second behind Texas in the number of insurance claims for mold. Many insurance companies have addressed the increased risk by increasing premiums and by declaring some property to be uninsurable.
Disclosure about mold or mold remediation has become a part of the Real Estate Transfer Disclosure statement required when residential property is sold.
Litigation related to mold has become so widespread that toxic tort attorneys have suggested that mold litigation may be the next asbestos litigation. Insurance companies, building contractors, banks, architects, engineers, material suppliers and homeowner associations have all been targets of litigation.
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(posted in the Resources, News category)
Judgment for Builder Rendered in Mold Bodily Injury Lawsuit
September 8, 2006, 11:26 amThis is a controversial ruling regarding the health effects of household mold. Read on:
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Shea Homes was absolved of any liability for damages that a Stevenson Ranch family alleged had arisen out of mold exposure in their home. Jurors in the closely watched personal injury suit returned a defense verdict for Shea, the nation’s largest private home builder, following a three week trial. The family of three claimed a host of bodily injuries from exposure to mold while living in a single family home that Shea had constructed. Although homeowners have asserted many claims for mold-caused damages, few have reached trial and yielded verdicts.
In this case, the Achin family sought in excess of $20 million (reduced to $5 million at trial) for various personal injuries. Prior to trial, the court eliminated many of their claims, finding that the general medical community has rejected any link between household mold and injuries other than typical allergic reactions in otherwise healthy people. After trial, the jury returned its verdict that Shea was not negligent, made no misrepresentations of fact and did not cause any harm to plaintiffs. The jury further found that Shea acted reasonably in responding to the family’s initial warranty requests, and that the claims asserted were wholly unrelated to any actions of Shea. Several jurors commented post-trial that they thought Shea had done everything it could to work with the Achin family and avoid the litigation that transpired.
After the trial, several jurors expressed doubt with the plaintiffs’ claims, and found their actions to be highly suspicious. “The jurors expressed their doubts that a little mold in a wall cavity could cause the harm that plaintiffs claimed,” said defense attorney Dan Berman. Mr. Berman, a founding partner in the Los Angeles office of Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman stated that, “This trial demonstrates that when all testimony comes into evidence, juries are able to separate the hype related to mold claims from reality.”
Les Thomas, President of Shea Homes Southern California stated, “We are gratified by the jury’s verdict. We would have preferred to have resolved this matter outside the court system, but we are prepared to defend the quality of our construction when necessary.”
West Hollywood lawyer Brian Witzer and Daniel Balaban represented the Achin family. Dan Berman and Stacey Blank represented Shea Homes Limited Partnership at trial, along with Patrick Schoenberg during the pre-trial motions.
Source: Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
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(posted in the legal, News category)