Mold and Lung Cancer

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 mold-finding 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, and 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 and 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 OSHA complaint against the company. Failure [just by itself] to permit mold inspection and testing can subject the company to OSHA 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 or padding. One week's worth of mold growth could be huge in the area affected.

• To find a Certified Mold Inspector or Certified Mold Remediator in your area, or to be trained and certified as a mold inspection, testing, remediation, and prevention expert, please visit: Mold Professional.
   

• Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, and Remediation is your complete mold book on how to completely test your entire home, office, real estate, including your vehicles like car or van.

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