The Center for School Mold Help

"We close caves to protect bats, but not schools to protect children." (quote and article submitted by R. Walters, site visitor, parent of child sickened by school mold in NY) 

This glib writeup on an Australian reality show about home mold does not do the reality of home mold justice - obviously, the writer hasn't been devastated by mold-related illness yet, unlike many of our site visitors. However, we definitely will relate to his opening line - and he did seem to learn from the show that concerns about mold are not minor. Watch for this show on the Sundance Channel! (SMH)

This information is offered, as those sick from moldy buildings may be more susceptible to the Swine Flu. Educators may be more at risk, as they not only work in damp, moldy, unhealthy buildings, but schools with Swine Flu often remain open. Researchers have shown that some of the risk factors for complications with Swine Flu: immuno-compromise and lung disorders, including asthma and COPD, are associated with exposure to toxic mold. The question comes up - how can I avoid the Swine Flu? This announcement from the CDC recommends use of facemasks, respirators, and avoidance of crowds where Swine Flu is possible. This is a change, to a more protective stance.

Don't be afraid to protect yourself with a tight-fitting facemask or respirator* (*if approved by physician), and avoid exposure.

Also, read our article about the school districts' potential use of antimicrobials, which may increase symptoms in people with Sick Building Syndrome and chronic lung disease. (SMH)

There are many parallels in the following news article that may be instructive in the case of the environmental health dangers of mold and the vehement attempts by defense interests to deny these. If this conduct is called racketeering for the tobacco industry, then may it also be so for the industries that benefit from lying to the public and physicians about mold (and chemical) problems? Reportedly, there are some formerly employed by Big Tobacco who now labor for mold defense interests. The cause of the blockade to accessing medical help and preventing and addressing mold, vigorously, in our nation, may well involve a similar scenario, according to the observations of many mold activists. How many children become chronically ill, just trying to get an education, from attending damp, moldy schools? How many are dead, dying, sick, jobless, losing out on an appropriate education, disabled, suffering, bankrupt, destitute, homeless, without medical care or hope, due to toxic, moldy homes, schools, and workplaces - a result of the denial of these problems? How many have developed Chemical Sensitivities due to toxic chemicals like mycotoxins, fungicides (or other pesticides), without medical recognition, treatment, or other types of help?  How many endure daily public ridicule and even lose important relationships, due to the incorrect, industry-fostered information that these are non-existant or psychological problems? How many women miscarry or become unable to conceive? How many develop cancers? How many children develop asthma or are born with autism? How many endure severe harassment for trying to get help? When is enough, enough?

We submit that the number of those ill from mold and suffering is, at the very least, in the many tens of millions and may equal or surpass those impacted by tobacco. Is there a group effort to deny mold's harm to health? Might this also be, therefore, racketeering, under the RICO laws? If you think so, contact your legislators and the White House. A healthy America is in all of our interests - we have rooted out the deceipt in Big Tobacco, now let us root it out in those who foster lies about the dangers of mold and chemicals, the causes of preventable, widespread environmental illnesses. (SMH)