Mold: New Menace to Industry
Sunday, January 27th, 2002 PropertyWe often perceive it as musty and grotesque. In its rawest form, it stinks. It is difficult to eliminate from walls, crawl spaces and the backs of basements. And it is creating a wave of litigation that is tugging at profit margins of U.S. insurance carriers. In a controlled environment, mold is a beneficial and health-giving substance. It has led to the development of vaccines and is used in the making of foodstuffs. But, out of control, it can lead to a devastating level of often-undue litigation and health claims. It is in this latter context that the term "toxic" commonly precedes the word "mold." It is difficult to steer clear of this usage. The implication is that there are specific health ramifications from typical molds found within homes or buildings.
