The Center for School Mold Help

Dec. 31, 2008

"WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama probably cannot fix every leaky roof and busted boiler in the nation's schools. But educators say his sweeping school modernization program — if he spends enough — could jump-start student achievement." (Associated Press)

Leak across light fixture, in a Liberty, NY school library that sickened librarian Angela Page, destroying her health. This school still is in use and occupied by students and staff, despite a scathing report by the CDC on the three leaky Liberty schools. (photo by Angela Page)

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This is a powerful way to start the New Year. Read the full article, and more, below. You will note the number of times mold and health problems are linked. The Center for School Mold Help Director and many of our site visitors have been writing the Obama team about our school mold and health problems. This is our answer, and a very desirable one, surely. We are being heard. Our supporters and parent/teacher/school staff/community activists are being heard.

The Center for School Mold Help calls for:

• the highest priority to be placed on mold prevention, use of safe, science-based remediation, with urgent avoidance of moldy buildings and those with poor indoor air quality (IAQ)
  
• recognition by and help from our pediatricians and physicians, for the devastating impact that damp, moldy (school & other) buildings have on health.
  
• an immediate retraction and correction of all past, incorrect position papers on environmental illness caused by mold, by medical associations such as ACOEM and AAAAI that now mislead these physicians
  
• immediate respite for those suffering in moldy buildings - they need places to go, while they wait for reconstruction
• urgent, federal mandates for all gov't agencies such as the CDC, OSHA, EPA, & health departments (state, county, and local) to provide meaningful, swift action and assistance to detect mold and protect building occupants, incorporating and expanding the recommendations of the US GAO Audit on Mold
  

There is much more to be done, more education to undertake, but WE ARE GETTING THERE, TOGETHER.

We thank you - and ask that you continue your support, with a much-needed donation at this vital time, to keep our information current and online (SMH).

""Bioaerosols" are airborne contaminants that are alive or were released from a living organism (OSHA Docket No. H-122; ACGIH Guidelines; Ex. 3-61C, page 1; 1994). Pulmonary effects associated with exposure to certain bioaerosols include rhinitis, asthma, allergies, hypersensitivity diseases, humidifier fever, and epidemics of infections including colds, viruses, tuberculosis, and Legionnaires Disease. Cardiovascular effects manifested as chest pain, and nervous system effects manifested as headache, blurred vision, and impaired judgment, have occurred in susceptible people following exposure to bioaerosols. Viral infections caused by the inhalation of bioaerosols can result in health effects that range in intensity from undetected or mild to more severe and even death. Bacterial infections resulting from inhalation of bacteria and their products cause a range of diseases, including tuberculosis, Legionnaires Disease, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis." [see below, Respiratory Protection. Final Rules 63:1152-1300, (1998, January 8)]

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Read what OSHA says about II. Health Effects, A. Sick Building Syndrome, B. Building-Related Illness, 1. Indoor Air Contaminants, and 2. Microbial Contamination, below. These are key documents that accurately describe many of the symptoms experienced in "sick buildings" (SMH).

Do not be fooled into believing that there is a safe level for mold. There isn't. Federal OSHA states this, below (SMH).