EMISSIONS FROM MOLD & FUNGUS MAY BE CULPRITS IN INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS

[Guest guest]

August 3, 1995

BEWARE THE FUNGUS AMONG US: EMISSIONS FROM MOLD & FUNGUS MAY BE

CULPRITS IN INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS

http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/FUNGUS.html

Metabolic gases emitted from molds and fungi growing inside

buildings may be a significant source of airborne volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) that can cause indoor air quality problems known

collectively as the " Sick Building Syndrome, " a new study suggests.

Indoor air quality problems have long been blamed on a variety of

causes, including emissions from particleboard partitions, paints,

carpets and cleaning supplies. The new research suggests that

control measures prescribed for sick buildings may need to be

altered to address microbial problems as well as building materials.

" As molds and fungi grow, they give off metabolic gases that contain

VOC emissions, " said Dr. Charlene Bayer, principal research

scientist and director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's

Indoor Environment Research Program. " Some of the volatile compounds

that we are finding are primary solvents, and we think some of the

manufacturers are being blamed for emissions from their products

when the emissions may actually be coming from the microbes. Because

the VOCs have usually been attributed to other types of sources, the

source control may be incorrect. "

In research funded by the Georgia Environmental Technology

Consortium -- a division of the Georgia Research Alliance -- Bayer

and biologist Sidney Crow at Georgia State University investigated a

number of " sick " buildings in the Southeast, collecting fungi

samples from buildings afflicted with microbial contamination. The

samples were allowed to grow in the laboratory, and the VOCs

released from the microbial broths were collected and identified.

These VOCs were then compared to those detected in the ambient air

within the buildings.

" Many of the volatile compounds produced by the cultured fungi are

identical to those originating from solvent-based building materials

and cleaning supplies, " Bayer explained. " These VOCs included

hexane, methylene chloride, benzene, and acetone. "

The microbial VOCs may contribute heavily to the overall level of

ambient VOCs in buildings, Bayer says. In one building the

researchers investigated, for example, the microbial contamination

was clearly evident on the walls, the carpets, and other locations.

" The concentration of hexane -- a solvent commonly used in cleaning

fluids, paints, and adhesives -- was extremely high, " said

Bayer, " but no source of the hexane could be found. The

microbiological contamination could have been the source of the

hexane. "

Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are among the host of

commonly occurring microbes that can infest homes, schools, and

offices. Usually, the first indication of their presence is a foul,

musty odor. When growth runs rampant, then the headaches, itchy

eyes, rashes, and respiratory problems begin.

Conditions favorable for microbial growth include heat and moisture,

says Bayer. In the Southeast's semi-tropical climate, buildings are

prime targets for microbial contamination.

Molds and fungi are not particular about what they eat. They will

happily devour just about any organic material, including the dirt

and dust trapped within ventilation systems. What can be done to

lessen the risk of microbial contamination? First of all, look for

ways to reduce the necessary nutrient base.

" Under ideal conditions, a building's ventilation system should

filter out both the microbes and the dirt they feed upon, " added

Bayer. " Unfortunately, however, many homes, schools, and small

office buildings use cheap, throwaway filters in their ventilation

systems. "

Cheap furnace filters are merely " boulder catchers, " Bayer

notes. " They only catch the big stuff -- they don't catch the fine

dust particles and they don't catch the microbes. So, they really

don't do anything to help human health. "

Bayer's advice: simply throw away the cheap filters and replace them

with more efficient, albeit more expensive, filters.

But, the bigger the building, the bigger the problems with

ventilation systems become. In larger office buildings, fiberglass-

lined ductwork is often used for noise control, says Bayer. The

fibers tend to trap dirt, and that provides a rich nutrient base for

microbes.

" Add a little moisture, and you can have a mold garden growing in

your ductwork, " Bayer explained. " The microbes grow and multiply,

and then get blown all over the building to infest other areas. "

Moisture control is extremely important in preventing microbial

contamination, says Bayer. When the humidity goes up, microbial

growth can skyrocket.

" Many buildings erected in the Southeast simply were not designed to

handle the heavy humidity loads we have, particularly during our

hot, muggy summers, " Bayer noted. " And most building owners don't

run their ventilation systems continuously. "

Schools typically turn their systems off during the summer months,

and most office buildings cycle their systems over nights and

weekends, often resulting in an unpleasant " Monday morning cocktail "

for the workers. Such intermittent operation allows the humidity to

increase and the molds to multiply.

Preventive maintenance involves proper filtration, correct moisture

control, and periodic cleaning of the entire ventilation system --

including the humidifier assembly on residential furnaces.

" Typical reservoir humidifiers are little mold factories, " says

Bayer. " They are just pools of standing, stagnant water throughout

much of the year that allow mold to grow and infiltrate the ducts.

They should be cleaned regularly. "

A great deal of research remains to be done, including identifying

individual metabolic gases and their respective odors, and acquiring

a better understanding of the microbes that are producing them. Once

a knowledge base is developed in these areas, the human response to

molds and fungi and the sources of complaints in buildings can be

better understood.

" Ultimately, we want to identify the microbial contamination on the

basis of the odors which are present, " says Bayer. " That way, we

will be able to identify the source much more quickly and

accurately, and deal with the problem faster and more

effectively...before it becomes a major problem requiring expensive

remediation. "

---------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------

RESEARCH NEWS AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE

Georgia Institute of Technology

75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACTS:

Toon (404-894-6986);

Internet: john.toon@...;

FAX: (404-894-4545)

TECHNICAL:

Dr. Charlene Bayer (404-894-3825);

Internet: charlene.bayer@...

WRITER: E. Kloeppel

[Guest guest]

THANK YOU, KC this is just the information I have been trying to get

across to a number of persons outside of the group. Will pass this

info on to others with the same known air handling system problems, I

am sure they will appreciate this.

Darlene

>

> August 3, 1995

>

> BEWARE THE FUNGUS AMONG US: EMISSIONS FROM MOLD & FUNGUS MAY BE

> CULPRITS IN INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS

>

> http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/FUNGUS.html

>

> Metabolic gases emitted from molds and fungi growing inside

> buildings may be a significant source of airborne volatile organic

> compounds (VOCs) that can cause indoor air quality problems known

> collectively as the " Sick Building Syndrome, " a new study suggests.

>

> Indoor air quality problems have long been blamed on a variety of

> causes, including emissions from particleboard partitions, paints,

> carpets and cleaning supplies. The new research suggests that

> control measures prescribed for sick buildings may need to be

> altered to address microbial problems as well as building materials.

>

> " As molds and fungi grow, they give off metabolic gases that contain

> VOC emissions, " said Dr. Charlene Bayer, principal research

> scientist and director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's

> Indoor Environment Research Program. " Some of the volatile compounds

> that we are finding are primary solvents, and we think some of the

> manufacturers are being blamed for emissions from their products

> when the emissions may actually be coming from the microbes. Because

> the VOCs have usually been attributed to other types of sources, the

> source control may be incorrect. "

>

> In research funded by the Georgia Environmental Technology

> Consortium -- a division of the Georgia Research Alliance -- Bayer

> and biologist Sidney Crow at Georgia State University investigated a

> number of " sick " buildings in the Southeast, collecting fungi

> samples from buildings afflicted with microbial contamination. The

> samples were allowed to grow in the laboratory, and the VOCs

> released from the microbial broths were collected and identified.

> These VOCs were then compared to those detected in the ambient air

> within the buildings.

>

> " Many of the volatile compounds produced by the cultured fungi are

> identical to those originating from solvent-based building materials

> and cleaning supplies, " Bayer explained. " These VOCs included

> hexane, methylene chloride, benzene, and acetone. "

>

> The microbial VOCs may contribute heavily to the overall level of

> ambient VOCs in buildings, Bayer says. In one building the

> researchers investigated, for example, the microbial contamination

> was clearly evident on the walls, the carpets, and other locations.

>

> " The concentration of hexane -- a solvent commonly used in cleaning

> fluids, paints, and adhesives -- was extremely high, " said

> Bayer, " but no source of the hexane could be found. The

> microbiological contamination could have been the source of the

> hexane. "

>

> Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are among the host of

> commonly occurring microbes that can infest homes, schools, and

> offices. Usually, the first indication of their presence is a foul,

> musty odor. When growth runs rampant, then the headaches, itchy

> eyes, rashes, and respiratory problems begin.

>

> Conditions favorable for microbial growth include heat and moisture,

> says Bayer. In the Southeast's semi-tropical climate, buildings are

> prime targets for microbial contamination.

>

> Molds and fungi are not particular about what they eat. They will

> happily devour just about any organic material, including the dirt

> and dust trapped within ventilation systems. What can be done to

> lessen the risk of microbial contamination? First of all, look for

> ways to reduce the necessary nutrient base.

>

> " Under ideal conditions, a building's ventilation system should

> filter out both the microbes and the dirt they feed upon, " added

> Bayer. " Unfortunately, however, many homes, schools, and small

> office buildings use cheap, throwaway filters in their ventilation

> systems. "

>

> Cheap furnace filters are merely " boulder catchers, " Bayer

> notes. " They only catch the big stuff -- they don't catch the fine

> dust particles and they don't catch the microbes. So, they really

> don't do anything to help human health. "

>

> Bayer's advice: simply throw away the cheap filters and replace them

> with more efficient, albeit more expensive, filters.

>

> But, the bigger the building, the bigger the problems with

> ventilation systems become. In larger office buildings, fiberglass-

> lined ductwork is often used for noise control, says Bayer. The

> fibers tend to trap dirt, and that provides a rich nutrient base for

> microbes.

>

> " Add a little moisture, and you can have a mold garden growing in

> your ductwork, " Bayer explained. " The microbes grow and multiply,

> and then get blown all over the building to infest other areas. "

>

> Moisture control is extremely important in preventing microbial

> contamination, says Bayer. When the humidity goes up, microbial

> growth can skyrocket.

>

> " Many buildings erected in the Southeast simply were not designed to

> handle the heavy humidity loads we have, particularly during our

> hot, muggy summers, " Bayer noted. " And most building owners don't

> run their ventilation systems continuously. "

>

> Schools typically turn their systems off during the summer months,

> and most office buildings cycle their systems over nights and

> weekends, often resulting in an unpleasant " Monday morning cocktail "

> for the workers. Such intermittent operation allows the humidity to

> increase and the molds to multiply.

>

> Preventive maintenance involves proper filtration, correct moisture

> control, and periodic cleaning of the entire ventilation system --

> including the humidifier assembly on residential furnaces.

>

> " Typical reservoir humidifiers are little mold factories, " says

> Bayer. " They are just pools of standing, stagnant water throughout

> much of the year that allow mold to grow and infiltrate the ducts.

> They should be cleaned regularly. "

>

> A great deal of research remains to be done, including identifying

> individual metabolic gases and their respective odors, and acquiring

> a better understanding of the microbes that are producing them. Once

> a knowledge base is developed in these areas, the human response to

> molds and fungi and the sources of complaints in buildings can be

> better understood.

>

> " Ultimately, we want to identify the microbial contamination on the

> basis of the odors which are present, " says Bayer. " That way, we

> will be able to identify the source much more quickly and

> accurately, and deal with the problem faster and more

> effectively...before it becomes a major problem requiring expensive

> remediation. "

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------------------------------------------

> -----------

>

>

> RESEARCH NEWS AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE

> Georgia Institute of Technology

> 75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100

> Atlanta, Georgia 30308

>

>

> MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACTS:

> Toon (404-894-6986);

> Internet: john.toon@...;

> FAX: (404-894-4545)

>

> TECHNICAL:

> Dr. Charlene Bayer (404-894-3825);

> Internet: charlene.bayer@...

>

>

> WRITER: E. Kloeppel

>

[Guest guest]

this article that you posted and this other one are really good

reads kc.they really open your eyes to the fact that voc's can also

be toxic compounds and mycotoxins are not the only thing you can

become sensatized to.

http://www.drordog.com/pages/14/

2004-indoor air

>

> August 3, 1995

>

> BEWARE THE FUNGUS AMONG US: EMISSIONS FROM MOLD & FUNGUS MAY BE

> CULPRITS IN INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS

>

> http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/FUNGUS.html

>

> Metabolic gases emitted from molds and fungi growing inside

> buildings may be a significant source of airborne volatile organic

> compounds (VOCs) that can cause indoor air quality problems known

> collectively as the " Sick Building Syndrome, " a new study suggests.

>

> Indoor air quality problems have long been blamed on a variety of

> causes, including emissions from particleboard partitions, paints,

> carpets and cleaning supplies. The new research suggests that

> control measures prescribed for sick buildings may need to be

> altered to address microbial problems as well as building materials.

>

> " As molds and fungi grow, they give off metabolic gases that

contain

> VOC emissions, " said Dr. Charlene Bayer, principal research

> scientist and director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's

> Indoor Environment Research Program. " Some of the volatile

compounds

> that we are finding are primary solvents, and we think some of the

> manufacturers are being blamed for emissions from their products

> when the emissions may actually be coming from the microbes.

Because

> the VOCs have usually been attributed to other types of sources,

the

> source control may be incorrect. "

>

> In research funded by the Georgia Environmental Technology

> Consortium -- a division of the Georgia Research Alliance -- Bayer

> and biologist Sidney Crow at Georgia State University investigated

a

> number of " sick " buildings in the Southeast, collecting fungi

> samples from buildings afflicted with microbial contamination. The

> samples were allowed to grow in the laboratory, and the VOCs

> released from the microbial broths were collected and identified.

> These VOCs were then compared to those detected in the ambient air

> within the buildings.

>

> " Many of the volatile compounds produced by the cultured fungi are

> identical to those originating from solvent-based building

materials

> and cleaning supplies, " Bayer explained. " These VOCs included

> hexane, methylene chloride, benzene, and acetone. "

>

> The microbial VOCs may contribute heavily to the overall level of

> ambient VOCs in buildings, Bayer says. In one building the

> researchers investigated, for example, the microbial contamination

> was clearly evident on the walls, the carpets, and other locations.

>

> " The concentration of hexane -- a solvent commonly used in cleaning

> fluids, paints, and adhesives -- was extremely high, " said

> Bayer, " but no source of the hexane could be found. The

> microbiological contamination could have been the source of the

> hexane. "

>

> Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are among the host of

> commonly occurring microbes that can infest homes, schools, and

> offices. Usually, the first indication of their presence is a foul,

> musty odor. When growth runs rampant, then the headaches, itchy

> eyes, rashes, and respiratory problems begin.

>

> Conditions favorable for microbial growth include heat and

moisture,

> says Bayer. In the Southeast's semi-tropical climate, buildings are

> prime targets for microbial contamination.

>

> Molds and fungi are not particular about what they eat. They will

> happily devour just about any organic material, including the dirt

> and dust trapped within ventilation systems. What can be done to

> lessen the risk of microbial contamination? First of all, look for

> ways to reduce the necessary nutrient base.

>

> " Under ideal conditions, a building's ventilation system should

> filter out both the microbes and the dirt they feed upon, " added

> Bayer. " Unfortunately, however, many homes, schools, and small

> office buildings use cheap, throwaway filters in their ventilation

> systems. "

>

> Cheap furnace filters are merely " boulder catchers, " Bayer

> notes. " They only catch the big stuff -- they don't catch the fine

> dust particles and they don't catch the microbes. So, they really

> don't do anything to help human health. "

>

> Bayer's advice: simply throw away the cheap filters and replace

them

> with more efficient, albeit more expensive, filters.

>

> But, the bigger the building, the bigger the problems with

> ventilation systems become. In larger office buildings, fiberglass-

> lined ductwork is often used for noise control, says Bayer. The

> fibers tend to trap dirt, and that provides a rich nutrient base

for

> microbes.

>

> " Add a little moisture, and you can have a mold garden growing in

> your ductwork, " Bayer explained. " The microbes grow and multiply,

> and then get blown all over the building to infest other areas. "

>

> Moisture control is extremely important in preventing microbial

> contamination, says Bayer. When the humidity goes up, microbial

> growth can skyrocket.

>

> " Many buildings erected in the Southeast simply were not designed

to

> handle the heavy humidity loads we have, particularly during our

> hot, muggy summers, " Bayer noted. " And most building owners don't

> run their ventilation systems continuously. "

>

> Schools typically turn their systems off during the summer months,

> and most office buildings cycle their systems over nights and

> weekends, often resulting in an unpleasant " Monday morning

cocktail "

> for the workers. Such intermittent operation allows the humidity to

> increase and the molds to multiply.

>

> Preventive maintenance involves proper filtration, correct moisture

> control, and periodic cleaning of the entire ventilation system --

> including the humidifier assembly on residential furnaces.

>

> " Typical reservoir humidifiers are little mold factories, " says

> Bayer. " They are just pools of standing, stagnant water throughout

> much of the year that allow mold to grow and infiltrate the ducts.

> They should be cleaned regularly. "

>

> A great deal of research remains to be done, including identifying

> individual metabolic gases and their respective odors, and

acquiring

> a better understanding of the microbes that are producing them.

Once

> a knowledge base is developed in these areas, the human response to

> molds and fungi and the sources of complaints in buildings can be

> better understood.

>

> " Ultimately, we want to identify the microbial contamination on the

> basis of the odors which are present, " says Bayer. " That way, we

> will be able to identify the source much more quickly and

> accurately, and deal with the problem faster and more

> effectively...before it becomes a major problem requiring expensive

> remediation. "

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

-

> -----------

>

>

> RESEARCH NEWS AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE

> Georgia Institute of Technology

> 75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100

> Atlanta, Georgia 30308

>

>

> MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACTS:

> Toon (404-894-6986);

> Internet: john.toon@...;

> FAX: (404-894-4545)

>

> TECHNICAL:

> Dr. Charlene Bayer (404-894-3825);

> Internet: charlene.bayer@...

>

>

> WRITER: E. Kloeppel

>

[Guest guest]

I thought this was a good article to repost.

KC

--- In , " tigerpaw2c " <tigerpaw2c@...>

wrote:

>

> August 3, 1995

>

> BEWARE THE FUNGUS AMONG US: EMISSIONS FROM MOLD & FUNGUS MAY BE

> CULPRITS IN INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS

>

> http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/FUNGUS.html

>

> Metabolic gases emitted from molds and fungi growing inside

> buildings may be a significant source of airborne volatile organic

> compounds (VOCs) that can cause indoor air quality problems known

> collectively as the " Sick Building Syndrome, " a new study

suggests.

>

> Indoor air quality problems have long been blamed on a variety of

> causes, including emissions from particleboard partitions, paints,

> carpets and cleaning supplies. The new research suggests that

> control measures prescribed for sick buildings may need to be

> altered to address microbial problems as well as building

materials.

>

> " As molds and fungi grow, they give off metabolic gases that

contain

> VOC emissions, " said Dr. Charlene Bayer, principal research

> scientist and director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's

> Indoor Environment Research Program. " Some of the volatile

compounds

> that we are finding are primary solvents, and we think some of the

> manufacturers are being blamed for emissions from their products

> when the emissions may actually be coming from the microbes.

Because

> the VOCs have usually been attributed to other types of sources,

the

> source control may be incorrect. "

>

> In research funded by the Georgia Environmental Technology

> Consortium -- a division of the Georgia Research Alliance -- Bayer

> and biologist Sidney Crow at Georgia State University investigated

a

> number of " sick " buildings in the Southeast, collecting fungi

> samples from buildings afflicted with microbial contamination. The

> samples were allowed to grow in the laboratory, and the VOCs

> released from the microbial broths were collected and identified.

> These VOCs were then compared to those detected in the ambient air

> within the buildings.

>

> " Many of the volatile compounds produced by the cultured fungi are

> identical to those originating from solvent-based building

materials

> and cleaning supplies, " Bayer explained. " These VOCs included

> hexane, methylene chloride, benzene, and acetone. "

>

> The microbial VOCs may contribute heavily to the overall level of

> ambient VOCs in buildings, Bayer says. In one building the

> researchers investigated, for example, the microbial contamination

> was clearly evident on the walls, the carpets, and other

locations.

>

> " The concentration of hexane -- a solvent commonly used in

cleaning

> fluids, paints, and adhesives -- was extremely high, " said

> Bayer, " but no source of the hexane could be found. The

> microbiological contamination could have been the source of the

> hexane. "

>

> Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus are among the host of

> commonly occurring microbes that can infest homes, schools, and

> offices. Usually, the first indication of their presence is a

foul,

> musty odor. When growth runs rampant, then the headaches, itchy

> eyes, rashes, and respiratory problems begin.

>

> Conditions favorable for microbial growth include heat and

moisture,

> says Bayer. In the Southeast's semi-tropical climate, buildings

are

> prime targets for microbial contamination.

>

> Molds and fungi are not particular about what they eat. They will

> happily devour just about any organic material, including the dirt

> and dust trapped within ventilation systems. What can be done to

> lessen the risk of microbial contamination? First of all, look for

> ways to reduce the necessary nutrient base.

>

> " Under ideal conditions, a building's ventilation system should

> filter out both the microbes and the dirt they feed upon, " added

> Bayer. " Unfortunately, however, many homes, schools, and small

> office buildings use cheap, throwaway filters in their ventilation

> systems. "

>

> Cheap furnace filters are merely " boulder catchers, " Bayer

> notes. " They only catch the big stuff -- they don't catch the fine

> dust particles and they don't catch the microbes. So, they really

> don't do anything to help human health. "

>

> Bayer's advice: simply throw away the cheap filters and replace

them

> with more efficient, albeit more expensive, filters.

>

> But, the bigger the building, the bigger the problems with

> ventilation systems become. In larger office buildings, fiberglass-

> lined ductwork is often used for noise control, says Bayer. The

> fibers tend to trap dirt, and that provides a rich nutrient base

for

> microbes.

>

> " Add a little moisture, and you can have a mold garden growing in

> your ductwork, " Bayer explained. " The microbes grow and multiply,

> and then get blown all over the building to infest other areas. "

>

> Moisture control is extremely important in preventing microbial

> contamination, says Bayer. When the humidity goes up, microbial

> growth can skyrocket.

>

> " Many buildings erected in the Southeast simply were not designed

to

> handle the heavy humidity loads we have, particularly during our

> hot, muggy summers, " Bayer noted. " And most building owners don't

> run their ventilation systems continuously. "

>

> Schools typically turn their systems off during the summer months,

> and most office buildings cycle their systems over nights and

> weekends, often resulting in an unpleasant " Monday morning

cocktail "

> for the workers. Such intermittent operation allows the humidity

to

> increase and the molds to multiply.

>

> Preventive maintenance involves proper filtration, correct

moisture

> control, and periodic cleaning of the entire ventilation system --

> including the humidifier assembly on residential furnaces.

>

> " Typical reservoir humidifiers are little mold factories, " says

> Bayer. " They are just pools of standing, stagnant water throughout

> much of the year that allow mold to grow and infiltrate the ducts.

> They should be cleaned regularly. "

>

> A great deal of research remains to be done, including identifying

> individual metabolic gases and their respective odors, and

acquiring

> a better understanding of the microbes that are producing them.

Once

> a knowledge base is developed in these areas, the human response

to

> molds and fungi and the sources of complaints in buildings can be

> better understood.

>

> " Ultimately, we want to identify the microbial contamination on

the

> basis of the odors which are present, " says Bayer. " That way, we

> will be able to identify the source much more quickly and

> accurately, and deal with the problem faster and more

> effectively...before it becomes a major problem requiring

expensive

> remediation. "

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------------------------------

--

> -----------

>

>

> RESEARCH NEWS AND PUBLICATIONS OFFICE

> Georgia Institute of Technology

> 75 Fifth Street, N.W., Suite 100

> Atlanta, Georgia 30308

>

>

> MEDIA RELATIONS CONTACTS:

> Toon (404-894-6986);

> Internet: john.toon@...;

> FAX: (404-894-4545)

>

> TECHNICAL:

> Dr. Charlene Bayer (404-894-3825);

> Internet: charlene.bayer@...

>

>

> WRITER: E. Kloeppel

>