This case involves a family who refused to pay rent because of lack of maintenance and upkeep on part of the management company. There were several separate occasions in which septic failure occurred allowing waste to overflow and cause mold. The family had since developed a host of medical conditions including asthma and C. difficile. An expert in environmental medicine familiar with household pathogens was sought to opine on whether or not there was a causal link between household mold and the specific diseases the plaintiff’s developed while exposed to the toxic conditions.
Septic Failure In Apartment Building Leads To Toxic Mold Conditions
Question(s) For Expert Witness
- 1. Please describe your background in environmental medicine.
- 2. What type of medical issues can arise from exposure to mold?
Expert Witness Response E-022427
I am quadruple board certified in medical toxicology, occupational medicine, preventive medicine and family medicine. I am an assistant clinical professor of occupational and environmental medicine and the medical director of health services at a laboratory. I am also an assistant medical director for the state poison control system. The 2004 Institute of Medicine Damp Indoor Spaces and Health Consensus Study Report noted there was sufficient evidence to support the association between the presence of mold (type not specified) and specific upper and lower airway illnesses, specifically cough, wheeze, and asthma exacerbation in patients with a history of asthma. There is limited or insufficient evidence to make associations for other health conditions. Several organizations, including the World Health Organization, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and the American College of Medical Toxicology have supported these findings. I have lectured several times on damp indoor airspaces and have been an expert in several environmental exposure cases, including cases concerning poor indoor air quality.