Masonry Magazine March 2004 Page. 59
The number of mold-related lawsuits nationwide is now in excess of 10,000, and is predicted to reach 50,000 in several years.
the quantity and species of mold found with certain standards, controls and outdoor samples. With the increase in mold claims and publicity, many testing firms have opened for business to capture part of the expanding "mold market." Diligence should be exercised before engaging any purported mold expert or testing firm to ensure that the firm and its evaluators are genuinely qualified. Some competent testing and analytical firms include certified industrial hygienists and toxicologists.
In addition to the recent rise in mold testing firms are those companies now claiming expertise in mold remediation. While testing is relatively cheap, remediation is the "big dollar" item, and it is increasingly common to encounter otherwise unqualified experts advising that the presence of mold in one's house or building necessitates comprehensive decontamination of all interior surfaces. Some remediation firms even urge replacement of all interior walls, flooring and ceilings; however, these extreme measures are rarely recommended under the published scientific studies and government reports. While there is a wealth of information available about mold, much of it is of questionable merit. Some recommended resources on mold, health issues and remediation are available through various Internet web sites, including the EPA's 'Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings" www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/graphics/moldremediation.pdf; the CDC's "Questions and Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum and other molds" www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold/stachy.htm; and The Voice of the Mason Contractor
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March 2004 Masonry 45