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Modern wonder
drugs that have saved
millions of lives
come from it. So does
our cheese, beer, and
wine. We bake our
bread with it.
In early colonial
America, it may have
produced LSD in the rye bread that people ate—
and thus might have induced hallucinations that
gave rise to the infamous Salem witchcraft trials.
In the 1840s, it devastated a third of the Irish
potato crop, resulting in death by famine of
nearly one million people, and emigration by
many more. If you are an American of Irish her-
itage, your very presence in the United States may
be attributable to it.
Toxins produced by some species of it are so
potent that the former Soviet Union reportedly
experimented with using them as biowarfare
weapons.
It has truly “molded” history and societies.
Mold may yet come to shape modern society in
ways it has never before done. Concern over toxic
mold has captured the attention of politicians, en-
vironmental and health agencies, courts, insurance
companies, employers and employees, property
owners and, predictably, personal injury lawyers.
Toxic mold may become the defining envi-
ronmental issue of the twenty-first century.
Cleveland, Ohio—1994Prior to 1994, mold was largely regarded as a
harmless, albeit unwelcome, annoyance. This
changed in the win-
ter of 1994, when
an investigator by
the name of Dear-
born alerted the
Centers for Disease
Control and Pre-
vention (CDC)
about a disturbing
trend: a number of infants had become seriously
ill from pulmonary hemosiderosis, a condition in
which victims cough up blood from their lungs.
Some of the infants died as a result of the con-
dition. An investigation was launched to deter-
mine the cause of this puzzling syndrome.
A slimy black fungus gained notoriety when
investigators initially suggested that the cause of
this frightening condition was Stachybotrys char-
tarum or “black mold.” The conclusion was based
on an association of pulmonary hemosiderosis
with water-damaged homes containing Stachy-
botrys.
It was not the first time that misdeeds had
been attributed to this fungus. Stachybotrys had
also been blamed for the death of perhaps thou-
sands of horses in the Ukraine after they ate wet
hay that had become moldy.
Later, however, the CDC released a report sug-
gesting shortcomings in the original study. The
report called into question the small size of the
sample, the way mold calculations were per-
formed, and the diagnosis of pulmonary hemo-
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2004 / 1
© 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).DOI: 10.1002/tqem.20000
Charles H. Eccleston
Toxic Mold: The Next Asbestos?
A primer on mold-related issues
for environmental professionals
Charles H. Eccleston2 / Spring 2004 / Environmental Quality Management
siderosis, which the CDC says is not a disease but
a condition that accompanies a host of ailments.
Other medical doctors and investigators con-
tinue to maintain that the initial conclusions
about Stachybotrys chartarum were correct. How-
ever, the CDC itself still has not decided what led
to the death of the Cleveland infants.
Mold: Background and BasicsLike bacteria or viruses, mold spores are ubiq-
uitous. They are everywhere.
Fossil evidence indicates that mold has been
around for over 400 million years.1 Mold spores
can be found in the soil, in plants and their leaves,
in lawns and gardens,
and on one’s body. Lit-
tle wonder, then, that
they routinely blow
into homes and work-
places.
By some estimates,
there may be upward
of 1.5 million different
species of fungi in the environment. Of this total,
only around 70,000 species have been well de-
scribed.2
Names and TerminologyIn the terminology used by biologists, the
names given to organisms are composed of two
parts: genus and species. Consider, for example,
the fungus Stachybotrys chartarum, discussed
above.
The first part of the name, Stachybotrys, refers
to the genus to which the organism belongs.
Among the more common mold genera found in-
doors are Cladosporium, Penicillium, and As-
pergillus. The second half of the name, chartarum,
refers to the species of the organism.
It should be noted that the term toxic mold
has no scientifically agreed-upon meaning, al-
though it is widely used.
Mycotoxin is simply the term used to describe
toxins produced by molds.
The Fungus KingdomAll life on earth is divided into five kingdoms:
plants, animals, protozoa, monera (bacteria), and
fungi. Mold dwells within the fungus kingdom.
Unlike plants, fungi lack the vital compound
chlorophyll, which plants use to make their own
food by synthesizing carbohydrates and sugars.
Fungi exist by digesting plant materials (such as
cellulose) or other organic materials for food. For
this reason, molds belong to their own distinct
biological kingdom, rather than being classed as
part of the plant kingdom.
Mold Survival and Reproduction Typically, mold needs only four basic envi-
ronmental elements to flourish:3
• water;
• a food source;
• an appropriate temperature range; and
• oxygen.
In order to proliferate, mold needs nutrients.
Mold nutrients are commonly present in building
environments and their components, such as
paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling
tiles, wood and wood products, drywall, carpet,
fabric, insulation materials, wallpaper, paints,
and dust.
Mold reproduces through spores, which serve
the same purpose as seeds. Typically, mold spores
do not become a major problem unless they be-
come wet and begin to grow inside a building.
Why Here, Why Now?Why, seemingly overnight, has mold become
such a national issue? In part, it is the panic cre-
ated by widely inaccurate headlines, which is in-
creased by lawyers chasing lucrative lawsuits.
Fossil evidence indicates that moldhas been around for over 400 millionyears.
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2004 / 3Toxic Mold: The Next Asbestos?
this material can be consumed by mold if ideal
conditions are not maintained.
A Creeping Catastrophe?The insurance, real estate, lending, and con-
struction industries are expressing increasing
alarm at the dramatic rise in toxic mold cases.
In the workplace setting, mold problems can
trigger employee complaints and increase worker
downtime, resulting in reduced productivity.
They can also lead to employers being cited and
penalized by federal, state, and local occupational
safety and health agencies. And, of course, toxic
mold can also give rise to personal injury claims.
In the end, some-
body is going to have
to pay the bill for these
claims—and it will
probably be the con-
sumer.
Legal IssuesOne lawyer re-
cently referred to mold litigation as “toxic gold.”
Mold cases are now increasing exponentially.
Much of the current interest in mold litiga-
tion can be traced to a 2001 Texas jury decision
that awarded consumer advocate Melinda Ballard
$32 million ($6 million for home and contents,
$17 million in punitive damages, and $9 million
in legal fees) for property damage and mental an-
guish in a toxic mold case filed against her insur-
ance company.4 It should be noted that this jury
award was later reduced on appeal to approxi-
mately $4 million.
The types of toxic mold actions that can be
filed include:
• worker compensation claims;
• negligence and fraudulent concealment suits;
• insurance coverage and liability claims;
• claims alleging intentional torts by employers;
But there are also a number of very real
problems that account for the current “mold
explosion.”
Pieces of the PuzzleHere is an odd piece of the mold puzzle: The
toxic mold problem appears to be more pro-
nounced in newer, more energy-efficient homes
and buildings than in older ones. Shouldn’t one
expect the problem to be the reverse—that is,
much worse in older structures?
Some of the principal reasons for the recent
upsurge in mold-related problems are noted
below.
Airtight BuildingsFollowing the oil embargo of the 1970s, em-
phasis was placed on increasing energy efficiency
within homes and buildings, and new building
codes were adopted.
As a result of these requirements, many build-
ings are now tightly sealed to enhance energy ef-
ficiency. Without adequate ventilation, humidity
can rise in stagnant areas and moisture can col-
lect. Thus, “tight houses” can create ideal homes
for mold.
Modern Building MaterialsDrywall is composed of a layer of gypsum sur-
rounded by paper. This paper, and other modern
cellulose-based building materials such as ori-
ented strand board (OSB), provide ideal nutrients
for mold.
Shoddy Construction PracticesThe breakneck pace of construction in recent
years has allowed many poorly designed and de-
fective homes and buildings to be constructed.
Construction flaws may allow water and moisture
to seep into building interiors.
Materials such as OSB and drywall are
cheaper—at least in the short run. Unfortunately,
In the workplace setting, moldproblems can trigger employee
complaints and increase workerdowntime, resulting in reduced
productivity.
Charles H. Eccleston4 / Spring 2004 / Environmental Quality Management
• claims alleging intentional infliction of emo-
tional distress; and
• suits for defective design or manufacturing.
Some of the principal defendants in toxic
mold cases may include:
• employers;
• homeowner associations;
• real estate agents;
• school districts and school boards;
• lending institutions, such as banks;
• insurers;
• architects;
• engineers;
• municipal and private building inspectors;
• developers and construction contractors;
• building product manufacturers;
• building owners, landlords, and property
managers;
• HVAC designers and manufacturers; and
• plumbers, roofers, and carpentry subcon-
tractors.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y,
many toxic mold cases
are being litigated on
the basis of “facts”
that are still scientifi-
cally unproven. As one
lawyer stated with a
grin, “In science, for
something to be
proven it has to be 100 percent certain. In a civil
lawsuit, it must only be proved by 51 percent.”
Implications for Real Estate TransactionsThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) estimates that approximately 50 percent of
homes contain some type of mold problem.
Worse yet, since toxic mold is still emerging as a
national issue, few guidelines exist to help buy-
ers and sellers navigate through a maze of liabil-
ity issues.
Laws concerning the disclosure of mold vary
from state to state. As of this writing in late 2003,
there are more than 35 different types of disclo-
sure laws around the country.
In some states, sellers who “rectify” the mold
problem do not need to notify buyers. However,
just because a problem has been addressed does
not mean the work was performed in a manner
that will prevent future problems.
Financial institutions are becoming increas-
ingly concerned about mold and its effect on
real estate. If the current trend continues, build-
ings that have a history of water damage or
mold may be increasingly difficult to sell. To
prevent potential legal battles, landlords need
to exercise due diligence, especially in instances
where substantial leaks or flooding have oc-
curred.
Even after a home or other building is sold,
liability issues can still arise if mold is later dis-
covered by the buyers. It is quite conceivable
that, within a few years, mold inspections may
become a standard part of many real estate
transactions.
Implications for Insurance CoverageMold-related insurance claims are estimated
to have increased five- to ten-fold across the
country during the past two years.5 The number
of toxic mold insurance claims filed in Texas
soared from 228 in 2000 to 1,188 in the first half
of 2001.6 Settlements for mold claims in 2001
topped $85 million.7
From a legal standpoint, insurance coverage is
governed by the rules of contract law. Mold has
never been a covered loss under any standard in-
surance policy. Until recently, most policies con-
tained either general or absolute “pollution ex-
clusions.” Nonetheless, lawyers have found ways
of getting around these exclusions.
Financial institutions are becomingincreasingly concerned about moldand its effect on real estate.
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2004 / 5Toxic Mold: The Next Asbestos?
It is important to note that allergic reactions
and toxicity are associated with dead mold spores
as well as live ones.
Hypersensitivity Some people show little sensitivity to mold,
while others are extremely sensitive. With even
slight exposures to mold and spores, sensitive
people may experience runny noses, headaches,
sinus problems, skin rashes, nausea, memory loss,
and coughs.
The elderly, women, newborns, the sick, and
those with compromised immune systems appear
to be at particular risk.
Conditions andSymptoms
Symptoms that
have been attributed
to exposure to toxic
mold include:
• cough;
• asthma, atypical asthma;
• nasal and sinus congestion;
• sore throat;
• nose and throat irritation;
• sinusitis/rhinitis;
• chronic fatigue (possibly due to mycotoxin
exposure);
• skin rashes;
• respiratory problems, such as wheezing and
shortness of breath;
• eye problems, including burning, watering eyes,
redness, blurry vision, and light sensitivity;
• aches and pains;
• fever;
• diarrhea;
• hemosiderosis (possibly due to mycotoxin ex-
posure); and
• immune suppression (possibly due to myco-
toxin exposure).
Separate coverage for mold and water damage
is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.
Soon, it may be nothing but a memory.
As a result of the escalating number of mold
claims and lawsuits, insurance companies are
doing more than just raising rates. Owners of
homes or businesses may soon find that their
property has actually been “flagged” by insurance
companies as high risk or uninsurable.
Once an insurance company learns that there
has been mold or water damage at a particular
property, the owner may be declined future cov-
erage for fear of mold contamination claims and
related lawsuits. If the property owner is lucky
enough not to be declined completely, he or she
may be forced to purchase a policy at a much
higher rate from another company.
There is yet another issue to be concerned with
here. Once a claim has been made on an insurance
policy, the claim is frequently filed in a national
database that is shared with most other principal
insurance companies. Current and future insur-
ance coverage can be greatly affected once a prop-
erty has been registered in the database.
Health Effects of MoldAn EPA working group consisting of 15 scien-
tists from eight nations had this to say about the
health effects of mold. Although the study dis-
cussed here related specifically to children, the re-
sults most likely would apply to adults as well:
[E]xposure to molds may constitute a
health threat to children resulting in res-
piratory symptoms in both the upper and
lower airways, an increased incidence of
infections, and skin symptoms. Allergy, ei-
ther to molds or to other indoor agents,
also presents a health risk. At very high ex-
posure levels to specific molds, nose bleed-
ing, hemoptysis, and pulmonary hemor-
rhage have been documented.8
It is important to note that allergicreactions and toxicity are associ-
ated with dead mold spores as wellas live ones.
Charles H. Eccleston6 / Spring 2004 / Environmental Quality Management
Patients may also experience neurological
symptoms (possibly due to mycotoxin expo-
sure) such as:
• headaches;
• mood changes;
• depression;
• anxiety;
• reduced ability to concentrate; and
• memory loss.
It should be noted
that this list is contro-
versial since many of
these symptoms can
be caused by a wide va-
riety of allergens and
irritants other than
mold.
Human Exposure RoutesPotential routes of human exposure to mold
can include:
• inhalation (breathing);
• ingestion (swallowing);
• skin contact (including cuts); and
• contact with eyes, nose, or mouth (overlap-
ping with inhalation and ingestion routes).
Four Types of Health EffectsMold is believed to elicit four distinct types of
physical health effects:
• allergic—sensitization and immune response;
• irritant—volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
and particles produced by mold may cause ir-
ritation in upper or lower airways;
• infectious—growth of some fungi in or on the
body; and
• toxic—disruption of physiological, cellular, or
immunological functions due to exposure to
mycotoxins; exposure pathways for mycotox-
ins include inhalation, ingestion, and skin
contact.
The Stachybotrys Genus There are about 20 species of the genus
Stachybotrys, with a worldwide distribution. Not
all species are currently considered to be toxic.
The presence of Stachybotrys is indicative of ex-
tremely saturated wet conditions over a pro-
longed period, typically a minimum of several
months.
As noted, media commentators frequently
use the term black mold when referring to Stachy-
botrys chartarum. However, this term is poorly de-
fined, and has no scientific meaning. Only a few
molds are truly jet black, although many are
blackish in color. It is important to emphasize
that not all molds that appear to be black are
Stachybotrys.
Stachybotrys chartarum produces tri-
chothecene mycotoxins. It is this mycotoxin that
has given Stachybotrys its bad name.
In the late 1930s, a disease called stachy-
botryotoxicosis was reported in humans working
on collective farms in Russia. These workers were
affected after handling hay or feed grain infested
with Stachybotrys chartarum, or were exposed to
aerosols of dust and debris from the contami-
nated materials.
Commonly reported symptoms in the work-
ers included rash, dermatitis, tightness of the
chest, cough, pain, and inflammation of the
membranes of the mouth and throat, bloody
rhinitis, fever, headache, and fatigue. Symptoms
were typically reported within two to three days
of exposure.
Testing for MoldMold generally cannot be accurately identi-
fied by visual inspection. Unfortunately, there is
no simple, cheap technique for sampling air to
Mold is believed to elicit fourdistinct types of physical healtheffects.
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2004 / 7Toxic Mold: The Next Asbestos?
more, most training and certifying organizations
have no expertise in the science of mycology.
Many testers claim to be qualified after at-
tending a short weekend class, or even complet-
ing a home study course that includes “certifica-
tion.” Many of these “graduates” lack formal
training in the science and techniques of testing.
Unqualified “professionals” are thus making
expensive decisions that may overstate or un-
derstate the degree of mold contamination
present, or the level of remediation required. In
one recent example, a man who had been a gar-
dener the year before set up shop as a “Mold
Certified Tester.”
To protect against
sham operations, the
author suggests that
mold professionals
should be required to
have the following
minimum qualifica-
tions:
• a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an ac-
credited college or university in science or en-
gineering;
• certification in a related field (for instance,
the professional might be a Certified Environ-
mental Professional, recognized by the Acad-
emy of Board Certified Environmental Profes-
sionals; a certified industrial hygienist; or a
registered engineer);
• five years or more of experience in environ-
mental analysis and/or testing or industrial
hygiene; and
• completion of at least three professional train-
ing classes in mold testing and investigation.
Site Investigation and Testing A thorough site investigation by an experi-
enced professional can be at least as important
as testing.
find out what types of mold are present and
whether they are airborne.
Testing for toxic mold has become a signifi-
cant issue among mortgage brokers, banks,
home inspectors, realtors, building owners and
managers, and homebuyers, not to mention in-
dividual homeowners. Testing has three princi-
pal purposes:
• demonstrating the presence or absence of
mold on a substrate;
• identifying the type of mold, either through
its spores or by direct examination of a cul-
tured sample; and
• locating the source or amplification site of
contamination.
The reader should note that it is difficult to
prove a negative—that is, the absence of
mold—unless extensive sampling and testing is
performed.
Lack of Professional StandardsUnfortunately, mold testing and remediation
are in a sad state at present. There currently are
no national standards for determining acceptable
levels of either mold or toxicity. Nor are there any
national standards governing mold inspection,
testing, or remediation.
Absence of regulatory standards has not
stopped aggrieved employees, businesses, home-
owners, tenants, and many others from making
claims against anyone and everyone who might
be responsible for defects leading to the presence
of mold in their home or workplace.
Some testing and remediation contractors
claim to be “mold certified.” Such certifications
are essentially worthless marketing ploys used to
establish “credentials” among an unsuspecting
public. The truth is that no recognized national
or international organization has developed a
credible mold certification program. Further-
The truth is that no recognized na-tional or international organizationhas developed a credible mold cer-
tification program.
Charles H. Eccleston8 / Spring 2004 / Environmental Quality Management
If mold is suspected but not visibly detectable
after an inspection, testing can be very effective
in revealing the mold reservoir or amplification
area. In some cases, destructive testing (such as
cutting access holes in a wall or floor) may be
necessary.
Interpreting Test ResultsOnce samples have been collected and cul-
tures are grown, the findings have to be inter-
preted before remediation can begin. The inter-
pretation phase can be quite difficult, requiring
the skills of an experienced professional. It is im-
portant to recognize that there are no specific
standards for “acceptable” levels of airborne mold
spores.
It is not uncommon to find that a set of data
may have more than
one interpretation. For
example, even very
low levels of certain
molds can indicate a
mold problem. Con-
versely, elevated levels
of some molds may be
of little concern. It re-
ally requires an expert
to interpret the results and determine an appro-
priate course of action.
Typically, indoor molds should be similar to,
and their levels should be no greater than, those
for outdoor and noncomplaint areas.
Analytical results from bulk material or dust
samples may also be compared to similar samples
collected from reasonable comparison areas.
It is also useful to check for the consistent
presence of certain fungi such as Stachybotrys
chartarum, Aspergillus versicolor, or various species
of Penicillium at levels greater than background
concentrations. Such occurrences may indicate
the presence of a moisture problem and corre-
sponding mold growth.
Cultured and Noncultured SamplesGrowing cultures from samples can allow
differentiation between mold species, which
may be important in cases of significant expo-
sure. However, while cultured samples can pro-
vide significant additional information, they
are also more expensive and take longer to
complete.
Cultured samples are grown in a petri dish for
several days before analysis. This method enables
more exacting identification of certain mold
types. Sampling requires a period of seven to ten
days (varying from sample to sample), during
which the sample is cultured and grown.
It should be noted that some molds do not
grow in standard culture media, or grow very
slowly. Moreover, dead spores will not grow at all,
even though these spores can have the same
health effects as viable (living) spores.
Noncultured samples involve direct examina-
tion and identification of individual spores. Both
viable and nonviable (nonliving) spores can be
analyzed by direct examination under a micro-
scope. Direct examination is quicker than cul-
tured sampling since it does not require any
growing time.
Some molds (such as Aspergillus, Penicillium,
and similar types) are not distinguishable by their
spores alone. Thus, for noncultured samples, cer-
tain molds have to be grouped together as
“asp/pen-like” spores.
Types of Mold Sampling Mold samples can be divided into two broad
categories—air samples and source samples.
• Air SamplesNoncultured samples are the most common
type of air sample. Laboratory results of noncul-
tured samples are reported in concentrations of
fungal structures or spores per cubic meter
(spores/m3).
Once samples have been collectedand cultures are grown, the find-ings have to be interpreted beforeremediation can begin.
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2004 / 9Toxic Mold: The Next Asbestos?
urement can be very successful in assessing hid-
den mold problems.
Into the Future: Legislation and Regulation In dozens of jurisdictions throughout the
United States, legislation relating to mold has
been adopted or is currently pending. Concern is
also growing in other nations.
The state of Texas is expected to have mold
regulations in effect in the near future, based on
legislation adopted in 2003. California has also
enacted some legislation, although the law has
not yet been implemented.
Discussion of specific state and local laws on
mold is beyond the
scope of this article.
Readers are advised to
research their particu-
lar jurisdiction’s laws
carefully.
One proposed
piece of national legis-
lation is worth noting
here, however. In 2002, a bill entitled the United
States Toxic Mold Safety and Protection Act (also
known as the “Melina Bill”) was introduced in
Congress. The bill died in committee, but has
since been re-introduced. Provisions included in
the proposed legislation would:
• require EPA, the National Institutes of Health,
and the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention to join in researching the health ef-
fects of mold;
• require the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development to study the impact of
construction standards on mold growth;
• require EPA to publish national standards for
mold inspection, remediation, toxicity, and
protection of mold remediators;
• require mold inspection before the sale or
lease of property;
If a full profile analysis is performed, the re-
sults will include all spores (whether live, dead, or
dormant), as well as other contaminants such as
pollen, skin particles, and insect parts.
The normal laboratory turnaround time for
noncultured air samples is a few days. This
method is good for determining the genus or
groups of different molds, but it normally does
not allow one to determine the particular species.
A special apparatus (such as an Andersen air
sampler or other, similar equipment) can be used
to collect air samples that can be cultured and
grown in a laboratory on Malt Extract Media or
other nutrient media.
Results of cultured samples are normally re-
ported in concentrations of colony-forming units
per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3). Results indicate
the number of culturable (viable or live) spores in
the air at the time of sampling.
Culturing allows the laboratory technician to
identify the mold down to the species level. How-
ever, the analysis cannot include counts for dead
spores, or for other contaminants such as pollen,
skin particles, or insect parts. Normal laboratory
turnaround time for cultured air samples is seven
to ten days.
• Source SamplesSurface wipe, dust, and bulk samples are
called “source samples” because the origins of the
mold samples are known. They can be taken for
culture and laboratory identification.
Source samples are easier to collect and culture
than air samples. However, cultured samples take
longer to process and are generally more expensive.
The Problem of Hidden MoldHidden mold is a major problem that has not
received the attention it deserves. By its very na-
ture, hidden mold is much more difficult to assess
and remediate than visible mold. Fortunately, ap-
propriate testing, inspection, and moisture meas-
In dozens of jurisdictions through-out the United States, legislation
relating to mold has been adoptedor is currently pending. Concern is
also growing in other nations.
Charles H. Eccleston10 / Spring 2004 / Environmental Quality Management
• restrict the federal government from making,
insuring, or guaranteeing a mortgage without
a mold inspection; and
• require the licensing of mold inspectors.
This legislation, if eventually adopted, would
provide some badly needed support and oversight.
AcknowledgmentThe author is indebted to Chin S. Yang, PhD,
chief mycologist for P&K Microbiology Services
Inc., of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, who reviewed the
manuscript of this article and offered many valu-
able comments.
Notes1. Sherwood-Pike, M. A., & Gray, J. (1985). Silurian fungal re-
mains: Probable records of the class Ascomycota. Lethaia, 18,1–20.
2. Hawksworth, D. L., Kirk, P. M., Sutton, B. C., & Pegler, D. N.(1995). Ainsworth and Bisby’s dictionary of the fungi (8thed.). Wallingford, UK: CAB International.
3. Zabel, R. A., & Morrell, J. J. (1992). Wood microbiology:Decay and its prevention. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
4. Ballard v. Fire Insurance Exchange, No. 99-05252 (TexasDist. Ct., Travis County, June 6, 2001).
5. Mitby, J., & Trost, K. (2002, March). Out of the dark: Theemergence of toxic mold litigation [Electronic version]. Wis-consin Lawyer, 75(3). Retrieved from http://www.wisbar.org/wislawmag/2002/03/mitby.html
6. Julavits, R. (2002, January 18). Mold crisis puts insurers,lenders in tight corner. The American Banker.
7. LiMandri, C. S. (2001, July 12). Epidemic of mold litigationplagues insurance industry. Insurance Litigation Reporter,23(9), 261–268.
8. Rylander, R., & Etzel, R. (1999, June). Introduction andsummary: Workshop on children’s health and indoor moldexposure. Environmental Health Perspectives, volume 107,supplement 3. Retrieved from http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/suppl-3/465-468rylander/abstract.html
Charles H. Eccleston is a Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) and a leading national authority on environmentalimpact assessment and planning. He has published over 30 technical papers and three books on environmental policy,planning, and analysis with John Wiley & Sons and CRC Press. He currently is writing a fourth book, Toxic Mold!, which isscheduled for publication in 2004. His company, Air Quality & Mold Testing, specializes in mold and air quality testing andanalysis. He can be contacted at mold_blasters@msn.com. His Web site is www.mold-busters.biz.
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