One-third of buildings in Taiwan pose health threat: study

[Guest guest]

One-third of buildings in Taiwan pose health threat: study

www.chinaview.cn 2006-02-08 17:26:20

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/08/content_4152891.htm

Xinhua - China

HONG KONG, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Nearly one-third of the

buildings in Taiwan have been found to be " sick buildings " that pose

a health threat to the inhabitants, with newly constructed or

remodeled buildings having the worst problems, according to a news

report reaching here from Taipei on Wednesday.

A study conducted by a local university was quoted by the news

report as saying that the indoor environments of about 30 percent of

the buildings have poor air quality, and the concentrations of

methanal, bacteria and fungi are higher than the standards set by

the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study pointed out that poor design was the main reason for

many of the newer buildings classified as " sick buildings " and poor

sanitation was the main reason for most of the remodeled buildings.

Inhabitants in recently constructed and newly refurbished

buildings are exposed to the risks of allergic and cardiovascular

diseases and even cancer because of the fresh paint and decoration

materials which release chemicals, the study said, adding that

central air-conditioning in old buildings can also lead to poor air

quality when filters are not cleaned or changed regularly, and

spores of bacteria and fungi can spread through ventilation systems.

Office buildings cause dangers in the workplace as machines like

old printers can release ozone, which causes emphysema and

bronchitis to some people, it noted.

The study also found that about 30 percent of the people have

developed so-called " sick building syndrome, " which includes such

symptoms as sore throat, itchy skin, headaches and inability to

concentrate.

Taiwan citizens spent over 4 billion new Taiwan dollars (about

123.5 million U.S. dollars) a year between 1997 and 2003 on treating

allergic and respiratory diseases, such as asthma and allergic

rhinitis, the news report cited statistics compiled by local health

organization. Enditem

[Guest guest]

> One-third of buildings in Taiwan pose health threat: study

>

It should be immediately apparent to anyone who suffers from exposure

to so much as a single moldy item taken from their old " mold castle " ,

that their hair, clothing, objects, purchases - or whatever, that has

passed through these buildings will be similarly problematic.

No matter how much you remediate you " safe zone " , if you have the

level of reactivity that REQUIRES a safe zone - you will soon be

adopting decontamination protocols to avoid cross contamination

- or you will suffer.

I didn't write the rules to this game.

I just learned how to play it.

-

[Guest guest]

I find it interesting that Xinhua (the official PRC news agency) is posting

this. Certainly, the PRC is no bright spot of environmental awareness, but

they do like to publish stories that portray Taiwan (the ROC) in an

unfavorable light.

Or perhaps (just as likely) there is a fellow mold sufferer on the Xinhua

staff who realized that the study's location gave them a rare opportunity to

get a story on SBS past the censors.

Chinese architecture (at least modern - i.e. the last two or three hundred

years..) doesnt use as much wood as ours.. But I don't know any more than

that. I am sure its a problem there just as it is here..Those old houses

that they are rushing to tear down look like mold palaces.. even if they do

tend towards plaster walls, rather than sheetrock..

[Guest guest]

With you again , I and I love your last statement.

Chris

erikmoldwarrior <erikmoldwarrior@...> wrote:

> One-third of buildings in Taiwan pose health threat: study

>

It should be immediately apparent to anyone who suffers from exposure

to so much as a single moldy item taken from their old " mold castle " ,

that their hair, clothing, objects, purchases - or whatever, that has

passed through these buildings will be similarly problematic.

No matter how much you remediate you " safe zone " , if you have the

level of reactivity that REQUIRES a safe zone - you will soon be

adopting decontamination protocols to avoid cross contamination

- or you will suffer.

I didn't write the rules to this game.

I just learned how to play it.

-

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