Lung Cancer Mold Problem
Q. My wife passed away in 1997
from lung cancer. She was 41 years old. It has just been brought to my attention that the
building in which she worked has a high level of mold in it's a/c ventilation system.
According to sources that work there, no one can remember when or if the ventilation system
has ever been cleaned. The building was built around 1960. A number of women now employed here
have had numerous health problems including one who is going to have surgery in the next 2
weeks for a brain tumor. Besides my wife, there have been other employees who have died from
cancer. Now, just to let you know, my wife did smoke cigarettes for years but when we first
learned of her cancer, the doctors told us that you couldn't tell by looking inside of her
lungs that she had ever had a cigarette before. My question is this, could the mold condition
in the a/c system have contributed to her death? If so, what would be the first step for me to
take? [Jan. 20, 2003]
A. My
condolences to you for the death of your wife, and at such an early age. Your first step would
be to have the entire suspect building including its heating, ventilating and air conditioning
[hvac] equipment and ducts mold inspected and mold tested by a
Certified Mold Inspector
paid for by you so that you get the full truth directly about the true extent of the mold
problem. What actions you and your attorney take thereafter will be dependent on you having
obtained such physical evidence in the mold inspection and testing that there is a serious
problem. The mold
Aspergillus can cause cancer. The mold
Stachybotrys can destroy brain
tissue. If the company will not allow you to have the building mold inspected and
tested, consider filing a complaint against the company with the U.S. Occupational
Safety & Health
Administration [OSHA]. Failure to remove mold infestation known to exist by company management
or ownerships is a violation of the OSHA laws and would subject your wife's former employer to
possible large fines and other regulatory sanctions. You can also brief the present
employees as to the possible problem, and ask that one or more of them file an OHSA complaint
against the company. Failure [just by itself] to permit mold inspection and testing can
subject the company to OHSA fines and sanctions. Also remember that the existence of mold
today in your wife's former place of employment does not mean that such mold problems existed
when your wife worked inside the building. Mold cannot be dated in age. Mold can begin growing
into colonies after just one day of wetness in the building materials or furniture or
carpeting/padding. One week's worth of mold growth could be huge in the area affected.
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