Letter I sent to the Editor regarding Manchester Article Yesterday

[Guest guest]

I responded to this article yesterday. Didn't expect a response but

did get one for a change.

,

Thanks so much for reading Style, and for your comment. I'd like to

consider this a letter to the editor but I'd need your name and

daytime

telephone number.

Thanks,

Roop

Editor

Style Weekly

1707 Summit Ave., Suite 201

Richmond, Va. 23230

(804) 358-0825, ext. 323

Fax: (804) 355-9089

jason.roop@...

Mold Story

Just because standards do not exist for mold levels does not mean it

is

not very very dangerous. Nothing to be fooled with. Governor's all

over this country have had their mansions remediated costing millions

of dollars because it is dangerous. The only reason there have been

lawsuits is because they usually just ignore the problem and leave

tenants very ill. Believe me the lawyers are not standing in line to

get these cases. It is very difficult to get a lawyer that first

knows

about mold or is willing to spend the money involved. The only

reason

scientific evidence is not available is because it is easier to look

the other way. I have been ill for 7 years and since that time have

read about court houses, police stations, firefighters, schools, the

list goes on with serious mold and people very ill. Insurance

companies have paid record claims. You would think someone would do

some research to get that scientific evidence.

Manchester Mold Sickens Woman, Suit Alleges

November 9, 2005

http://www.styleweekly.com/article.asp?idarticle=11288

Richmond,VA

A Richmond woman who purchased a condominium in the Old Manchester

Lofts has filed suit against developer Robin and the

property's owners, alleging her $220,000 loft was contaminated with

lead and mold. In the suit, filed in Richmond Circuit Court Oct. 21,

Resa alleges that and the property owners lied to her

about damage to the condo during Hurricane Gaston in August 2004 and

tried to conceal the subsequent mold problems. She is asking for

$2.5 million plus punitive damages.

, a prominent Richmond developer, says ' allegations are

unfounded. After she complained, says, he offered to buy back

' condo, but she wouldn't agree. The amount she's demanding in

court is " totally inappropriate, " he says, " so it's a matter of

principle to me now. "

" I need to defend my reputation, " adds.

City officials say they have received no complaints about the

property, which sits on Porter Street in Manchester. Public works

spokeswoman Flagg says mold " may be a legal issue " but it's

not a building code violation.

Mold is also a contentious issue, and in recent years has become a

popular cause for litigation. No national standards exist for mold

levels. For many people, the presence of mold has no effect, while

others may develop serious allergies or asthma.

, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Virginia

Commonwealth University, moved from Minnesota to Richmond last fall

to begin work at Virginia Commonwealth University. She bought one of

the 80 new condos in the Old Manchester Lofts in October 2004,

according to the lawsuit, but because of the mold never moved in.

She has, however, visited the condo several times.

On Oct. 30, 2004, took a friend to see her condo. They were

both " overcome by a very strong chemical odor " that left

coughing and burned her eyes, the suit says.

In an investigation into the heating and ventilation unit above

' condo, the suit says technicians hired by

found " significant areas covered with green and black mold, " citrus

deodorizers in the ceiling beams and later, " a large, mushroom-like

structure " growing on a joist. A Nov. 19 sampling of the air in

' apartment found an " enormous " spore count, the suit

continues, and black mold could be seen growing on the hallway wall,

outside the condo. says he too hired a firm to investigate,

and it found fewer mold spores inside the condo than in the outside

air.

Now, says she has health problems, including asthma because of

the toxins released by the mold, the suit alleges. " She has a

lifetime disease, " says ' lawyer, S. . " She'll be

in line to get the flu shots with the old people. " —

Sinclair/i>

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