| While insurance carriers search for exclusions in their | | | | the home to avoid heat loss in the winter. While this will |
| policies, the fact of the matter is that mold is too | | | | assist you in heating bill payments, it has clearly been |
| important to ignore and claims will continue to be | | | | tied to increased exposure to indoor air pollutants. That |
| brought where human health impacts are clear. These | | | | same tightening reduces a home's natural infiltration by |
| cases arise in construction matters, operation and | | | | upwards to 30%. In the end, that means less fresh air. |
| maintenance of commercial buildings and are a | | | | Operators of commercial buildings including |
| significant issue for a commercial landlord, homeowner | | | | municipalities, courthouses and even environmental |
| and prospective buyer and seller of residential real | | | | agencies have faced enormous costs due to improper |
| estate. | | | | ventilation in buildings causing what has been |
| Mold clearly causes health issues that dramatically | | | | commonly referred to as "sick building syndrome." |
| impact the quality of people's lives. While it is | | | | The family of indoor air pollutants attributable to mold is |
| newsworthy it is not new! It is not dissimilar to other | | | | called "biological contaminants." They include bacteria, |
| indoor air issues such as second hand smoke, carbon | | | | molds, mildew, viruses, animal dander and cat salivia, |
| monoxide, lead paint, asbestos, radon, and many | | | | dust mites and pollen. The growth of these biological |
| others. The ability to prove these harms in courts is | | | | contaminants is related to the relative humidity in the |
| proving to be challenging as in any new practice area. | | | | commercial or residential space. A relative humidity of |
| But the larger problems of indoor air pollution persist | | | | 30-50% is recommended for homes. Any standing |
| and will continue to challenge us long after the mold | | | | water or wet surfaces serve as prime breeding |
| cases are litigated. | | | | ground for molds and mildew. |
| The source of harm to humans is found in the cross | | | | To minimize mold growth, ventilate your home or |
| between these pollution sources and ventilation. In | | | | building regularly using exhaust fans in common areas, |
| short, while these pollution sources exist in our general | | | | kitchens, bathrooms, attics, storage spaces and |
| environment (indoors and outdoors), they present | | | | basements. Mold can grow rapidly (within twenty-four |
| varying degrees of problems to people depending | | | | hours if standing water is not dried). |
| upon the concentrations levels and duration of the | | | | Any water damage to carpets and building materials |
| exposure. So we might sit in traffic on a hot summer | | | | especially sheet rock and other cellulose-based |
| day exposed to automobile fumes and they may not | | | | products need to be addressed immediately to |
| affect you at all. The same car exhaust in a home | | | | mitigate any potential mold growth. If growth persists, |
| would be fatal. | | | | then your mold issue may be related to condensation, |
| The degree of harm or impact on the quality of life | | | | relative humidity or vapor pressure. |
| depends in some degree on and the vulnerability of the | | | | If your property suffers flood damage or ice dam |
| receptor. People react differently to indoor air pollution | | | | back ups or a broken pipe that goes unnoticed for |
| depending upon a number of factors including age and | | | | several days if not weeks, disinfect water damaged |
| pre-existing medical condition. The degree of the | | | | furnishings and construction materials as soon as |
| reaction and the timing of the reaction vary as well. It is | | | | possible. Anything that cannot be dried should be |
| not uncommon for people to develop heightened | | | | discarded. You should recognize that even dry mold |
| sensitivity to other indoor air pollution sources once | | | | spores could continue to cause allergic type reactions. |
| exposed to mold or second hand smoke. | | | | Professionals should be contacted as procedures for |
| As for mold, the ultimate source is moisture-a broken | | | | clean up may require workers to wear respiratory |
| pipe, bathroom moisture that leaks into the floor or tiles, | | | | protection |
| improper drainage-can be a source of mold. Mold is a | | | | Mold is a real problem. Juries have returned substantial |
| living organism that is all around us and exists in all living | | | | verdicts in the past several years and litigation has |
| things to some degree. | | | | proliferated. Many of you may have received a notice |
| However, heightened levels can be found due to | | | | from your homeowner's insurance carrier disclaiming |
| improper ventilation or overwhelming moisture built up in | | | | coverage for mold growth in your home. Most policies |
| the home. A large effort has gone on for thirty years | | | | do not cover you for such damages but some have |
| to weatherize homes to save on energy costs. | | | | and it is very important how the source of moisture |
| Installing double- paned storm windows, caulking, | | | | was initiated and infiltrated your home or business. |
| insulation are all sound and prudent steps to tighten up | | | | |