Welcome to Moms Against Mold!

This Site's Purpose...

...is to help moms research the effects of environmental toxins which contribute to the ill health of our children. We provide information on the chemical sensitivities that result from exposure to pesticides, molds and mycotoxins, herbicides, and more.

ACHEMMIC's Position Statement

Tuesday, 27 July 2010 21:48

Today, an important new research paper was announced. This paper gives a name to an illness that has been affecting people around the globe over the past few decades. The name of this illness is Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Caused by Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water-Damaged Buildings (CIRS-WDB). The report is titled:

Research Committee Report on Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome Caused by Exposure to the Interior Environment of Water-Damaged Buildings

The paper discusses "the current state of the science regarding human health effects acquired following exposure to the multiple microbes and microbial contaminants and their metabolites found in the interior environment of water-damaged buildings (WDB). These contaminants include but are not limited to fungi, bacteria, actinomycetes, and mycobacteria and their toxins; as well as inflammagens from fragments of fungal structures; and beta glucans, mannans, hemolysins, proteinases, spirocyclic drimanes and microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs)."

ACHEMMIC's Call to Action

Tuesday, 16 February 2010 07:15

ACHEMMIC is a newly formed team of experts with the express purpose of educating lawmakers, physicians, and the general public about the hazards of toxic mold and other contaminants. The Action Committee on the Health Effects of Mold, Microbes and Indoor Contaminants was formed after the February 3rd meeting of the Federal Interagency Committee on Indoor Air Quality (CIAQ).

ACHEMMIC has submitted a letter to the CIAQ and other federal agencies requesting that action be taken on behalf of the countless Americans who suffer ill effects from toxic mold and other contaminants. In addition, this letter has been faxed to Capitol Hill for distribution to all 100 Senators. To view the cover letter, click here.

ACHEMMIC members include: Dr. Jack Thrasher, Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, Carl Grimes, Dr. Michael Gray, Dr. Jeanette Hope, Sharon Kramer, Cheryl Wisecup (see February 11 entry), and others.

ACHEMMIC's letter makes reference to the September 2008 report from the General Accounting Office urging the EPA and CIAQ to reevaluate its position on indoor mold and take appropriate action to protect the public.

“The GAO report was issued sixteen months ago, but we have seen no progress. In the meantime, people are suffering and dying from exposure to indoor contaminants in their homes, apartments, schools and businesses.”

Toxic Tort Lawsuits Now Easier to Win in Michigan

Tuesday, 22 December 2009 00:00 | Written by Saulius Mikalonis

Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that plaintiffs don't need an expert witness to prove that they suffered physical ailments as a result of exposure to mold. The Court says the defendant must disprove that the mold exposure did not cause the alleged illnesses.

The Michigan Court of Appeals in a case called Genna v Jackson recently ruled that plaintiffs alleging injury from exposure to mold did not have to present an expert witness to prove that they had suffered physical ailments as a result of exposure to mold. According to the court, it was enough that mold was present and that the plaintiffs had physical ailments that could be attributed to mold exposure, even though they did not present a witness that could make a causal connection between the exposure and the injuries that the plaintiffs allegedly suffered. The court left it to the defendant to disprove that the mold exposure did not cause the alleged illnesses.

A Toxicologist's Report on Damp Indoor Spaces

Sunday, 13 December 2009 00:00 | Written by Dr. Jack Thrasher

The following report is not for laypeople. It's scholarly and geared to fellow toxicologists and other professionals. It's worth reviewing, however, because if ever there was a question that there's more to mold than meets the eye, it's answered here.

This article, along with 15 others on the subject of damp indoor spaces, appeared in the October edition of Toxicology and Industrial Health. It's written by Dr. Jack Thrasher and he alluded to it in the interview I conducted with him in June. During the course of that interview he kept reminding me that when discussing mold, "you should also include the bacteria present in water damaged structures."

6 Key Questions

Saturday, 17 October 2009 00:00 | Written by Dr. Jack Thrasher

When health issues exist it's important to consider the environment. Radon, asbestos, and lead are commonly considered. Mold and its contaminants are not. Pesticide use is also critical. Toxicologist Dr. Jack Thrasher offers these six questions for anyone attempting to correlate an illness with the environment.

1. Have you used a pesticide applicator to treat for any type of insects and/or spiders? Inside the home or outside the home?

2. Are you on a septic tank system and do you have sewage-type odors?

Mold in the Media

Stories surrounding toxicity in the environment continue to abound.

A family in suburban Chicago recently vacated their home due to toxic mold. The couple, along with their one-year old twins, were forced to leave after an upstairs neighbor's washing machine flooded and leaked through their ceiling. The resulting mold was remediated improperly and quickly grew. The family became ill, and the husband was hospitalized for breathing problems. The Chicago Tribune ran this story about their plight.

My friend Kristina, who relocated to Arizona due to a mold exposure in the Virgin Islands, recently sent me this press release about her battle for Social Security benefits. She was working when she was exposed and immediately became disabled. Her story illustrates the hazards of cross-contamination. I've summarized her story here.

The state of Wisconsin has passed its first Indoor Air Quality law for public and private schools. The move comes after a 5-year effort by mold activist Jeanne Black, whose daughter became ill after attending an elementary/middle school in Darlington, Wisconsin. The Center for School Mold Help has been instrumental in the passage of this law. For more information on this story see SMH's website.

More Articles...

MomsAgainstMold.org

This Site's Purpose...

ACHEMMIC's Position Statement

ACHEMMIC's Call to Action

Toxic Tort Lawsuits Now Easier to Win in Michigan

A Toxicologist's Report on Damp Indoor Spaces

6 Key Questions

Mold in the Media