Suited up to deal with toxic threat

February 10, 2007

BIO-TERRORISM experts have been enlisted by a Sunderland company in

a bid to beat toxic threats.

By CRAIGTHOMPSONARN6

Sunderland,England,UK

ArticleID=2041056 & SectionID=1107

Workers have been learning how to contain and decontaminate areas

which could pose a risk to residents living in the city.

Techniques including identifying zones hit by bird flu and toxic

mould were covered during the training course.

A special decontamination chamber was set up so that staff could

learn how to deal with the threat.

Dobson's Environmental Health Services, which normally specialises

in the removal of asbestos, arranged the course due to growing

concerns about toxic mould.

Tom Whittleton, director of the company, based at Leechmere

Industrial Estate, said: " Toxic mould has been dubbed the new

asbestos and we are receiving more and more calls about it. "

Health concerns related to mould have caused major concern in the

U.S. with one landlord having to pay more than one million dollars

for failing to correct mould problems that caused two women asthma

attacks and other health problems.

Mr Whittleton added: " We know this is set to become a major issues

and we wanted to make sure we were ready to deal with the issue. "

The mould, a type of fungus, has been linked to health problems

including asthma and rashes.

Jeff Charlton, from the Biorecovery and Decontamination Institute,

has been running the course.

He said: " We have been using a containment chamber, face masks and

respirators to demonstrate the techniques that are now available.

" We have also been giving out advice about clean-up procedures in

relation to bird flu. This is something which is obviously of a

topical interest at the minute. "

Environmental Health officers from Sunderland Council are also

believed to have shown an interest in the toxic mould techniques.

Mr Whittleton added: " The main difference between this and asbestos

is that it could take 30 years before you notice the effects of

asbestos. Toxic mould can make you poorly very quickly. "

Last Updated: 10 February 2007

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