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