CNN Special Reports on Military Mold: Toxic Homefront

CNN special Toxic Homefront reported this past weekend about the extreme dire condition of some the military housing in the US and the health hazards posed by poor indoor air quality (IAQ), more specifically mold. CNN hosts Drew Griffin and Randi Kaye discussed the mold problems in military housing near the Norfolk, VA Naval Base after it was turned over to a private contractor, Lincoln Military Housing, a few years ago. Go to for full report: wtkr.com/.../cnn-special-report-part-2-military-mold/

Lincoln Military Housing did not build the homes, but inherited them along with the buildings and mold problems.  Military families say that their homes are infested with mold.  Many of the aging homes have deteriorated due to water damage, persistent leaks and mold with military families falling mysteriously ill.

According to Dr. Rajiv Sahay, FIAS, CIAQP Laboratory Director at EDLab, an AIHA and CDC Elite lab stated “we have found a direct correlation between poor construction practices, deferred housing maintenance, water intrusion, roof leaks and an increase occupant symptoms in adults and children.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, indicates about one in 10 children in the United States now has asthma, which causes them to miss an average of four days of school a year.

In a recent CNN’s story by Dr. Sanjay Gupta Are Schools Making Children Sick? John Santilli, a Connecticut allergist, reported he has treated dozens of students sickened by school air. Even when children don't miss school, he said, the medications they take for asthma and conditions like rhinitis, an allergic reaction to mold or dust, can make it harder for them to do their best work. "They're on antihistamines, they're on nasal sprays, they're on asthma medications, and this limits their ability to perform," Santilli said. "These kids can't concentrate. They can't focus on what's going on."  Dr. Santilli says about 20% to 30% of people are susceptible to mold or dust, which triggers an allergic reaction. The resulting symptoms can include itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, headaches, fatigue, even memory problems and slowed thinking.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), states that poor indoor air quality can cause illness and can cause acute health symptoms that decrease performance while at.  Researchers at the New York state Health Department found a correlation between building maintenance in buildings and hospitalizations for asthma.

On a positive note, there are some facilities that are taking a proactive role in IAQ maintenance. Charlotte County School District in Florida, is doing their part and have implemented a "Green HVAC Cleaning" program to not only save energy, but also to improve indoor air quality and mitigate long-term health risks and allergies associated with indoor air pollutants.

This program introduces a chemical free coil cleaning process called PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning a safe and effective cleaning process used to save energy and create a healthy learning environment for students, school staff and visitors.

As a part of this initiative, the Charlotte County School District has contracted with Pure Air Control Services a national leading indoor environmental contractor with over 25 years of building IAQ experience.  Because the PURE-Steam Coil Cleaning program is totally GREEN (NO CHEMICALS) students, school staff and visitors don’t have to worry about potential dangerous chemicals or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) entering into the air or water system.

Don Terry, Manager of HVAC Maintenance noted that “not only are we saving energy, but we are creating a healthy learning environment for our students and faculty.”

Pure Air Control Services’ Building Health Check (BHC) division, a nationally known indoor environmental quality consulting firm provides quick and inexpensive ways to determine baseline IEQ conditions of buildings for mold, bacteria, mycotoxins, chemicals, allergens, formaldehyde and other contaminants in the air.

To discuss ways to determine your buildings baseline IEQ conditions and how to create a Healthy Home/Building Environment call the professionals Pure Air Control Services today at 1-800-422-7873.

About Pure Air Control Services:

Founded in 1984 by Alan Wozniak, President/CEO in what began as a small mechanical contracting business has grown into an award winning, industry leading indoor air quality (IAQ) service company serving many fortune 500 corporations, school boards, universities, county, city, state and federal governments and consumers across the US.  The firm has serviced over 600 million square feet of indoor environments in over 10,000 facilities.

Pure Air Control Services nationally performed IAQ services include: Building Sciences Evaluation; Building Health Check; an AIHA accredited Environmental Microbiology Laboratory; Environmental Project Management; and Duct Cleaning & Mold Remediation Services, among other indoor environmental services. The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA); Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Florida State University (FSU), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air the reliable industry leader.

For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.pureaircontrols.com or contact: Alan Wozniak or Cy Garner 1-800-422-PURE ext 802 or 804 respectively.

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