Toxic Mold
Contamination
Mold contamination
drives 2nd family from home
By Prentiss Findplay
Thursday, July 10, 2008
A second Daniel Island family has moved out of
their D.R. Horton-built house after getting results of a mold test because
the parents are concerned about their children's health.
David and Terry Pittman said Wednesday that
they decided to leave the house July 4 after consulting the ear, nose and
throat specialist for their son, Anders, 7, who has suffered repeated ear
infections. The highest level of mold contamination was found in Anders'
room, the Pittmans said.
"It's a toxic environment. It's mainly
because we have children that we should not be in that environment," Terry
Pittman said.
Anders Pittman's hearing is diminished, and
he has scar tissue from the infections. He can't relieve pressure in his
ears in the way that a person does normally. "That's the way he is all the
time. We're praying that this is reversible," Terry Pittman said.
The Pittmans were concerned about their
house because their next door neighbors, Benjamin and Joy Allen, moved from
their D.R. Horton house more than a month ago after receiving results of a
mold test. The Allens said their daughter, Madeleine, 3, has suffered
repeated serious respiratory problems. The family pediatrician advised that
they leave the house.
As part of the mold testing at the Pittman
house, three sections of vinyl siding were cut open, revealing rot and mold,
David Pittman said. "I think we're kind of still in a state of shock. I
can't believe the extent of the damage," he said. David Pittman said window
flashing was not installed to keep moisture out of the walls.
Mold inspector Terrence Tully of Moisture
Control Experts inspected both houses. He said improperly installed window
flashing allowed moisture in walls that created mold in both houses. Tully
said another resident of Jordan Court, where the families live, has
scheduled a mold inspection for today.
Paul and Joan Quam of the Rivertowne
subdivision of Mount Pleasant have sued D.R. Horton because of mold in their
house. They said they have spent more than $100,000 to correct moisture
problems in walls and remove mold. They moved out of the house last summer
for nine months but have returned. Before they left the house, Paul Quam's
doctor told him he had the early stages of mold poisoning.
An attorney for D.R. Horton, Kyle Dillard,
did not respond to e-mail and phone messages Wednesday. The Daniel Island
Co. and D.R. Horton parted ways in 2001, so the company is no longer
building homes on the island. "It was a mutual agreement. The customer
service was an issue," said Daniel Island Co. Communications Director Julie
Dombrowski.
Posted on http://www.courier.com
Reach Prentiss Findlay at 937-5711 or pfindlay@postand courier.com. |