| nitmamproclamation_wigovsept2015.doc |
Dr. William Croft
521 Hilltio Dr.
Madison, WI 53711
August 7, 2015
Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison, WI 53702
Re: Proclamation, National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month, September 2015
Sir,
I am writing this letter to request that you proclaim the month of September 2015 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month. A Wisconsin Governor has not proclaim this observance and by doing so, this would increase awareness about indoor toxic mold and we can prevent needless hazardous conditions that take the lives of thousands every year and adversely affect the health and well-being of many more.
Dan Pauluk was a Southern Nevada Health District Inspector who died in 2007 after being exposed to toxic mold at the district’s main office. He died of mold poisoning.
I worked with Letitia Peters who spearheaded National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month and she started the National Indoor Mold Society (N.I.M.S.) to (1) Educate the public, health care professionals, and the lawmakers to bring awareness that exposure to indoor molds and mycotoxins can cause adverse health effects and should be recognized as a serious, widespread disease; (2) Collaborate with researchers or fund research in order to get “scientific data” which addresses the adverse health effects due to exposure to indoor molds and mycotoxins; (3) Provide support, information, and guidance in the form of seminars, individual counseling, and community programs for people exposed to indoor molds and mycotoxins to improve their quality of life, and (4) Provide a safe, healthy, and habitable environment for people exposed to indoor molds and mycotoxins.
What’s the Controversy?
First, there are two schools of thoughts in the medical community:
· One group believes that molds cause allergic responses only (i.e. asthma, fungal sinusitis) and the other group has “scientific” evidence showing that inhalation to mycotoxins causes adverse health effects and not just allergic responses only, but the controversy continues.
· Second, we do not have any federal laws governing indoor air quality for molds.
· Finally, we have two bills pending, which are stalled in the U.S. Congress
A 3 minute semi-bio video called “Letitia Lets Loose” can be viewed at www.YouTube.com/NIMSociety. In 2008, Letitia Peters spearheaded National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month (N.I.T.M.A.M.) with the support of Sharon Pawlak, Lori Tondini, and Iris Brooks who believed in the vision. For the 1st observance, six Governors signed the proclamation to bring awareness about indoor toxic molds and mycotoxins in their states: Governor Granholm (Michigan), Governor Barbour (Mississippi), Governor Perdue (Georgia), Governor Rendell (Pennsylvania), Governor Crist (Florida), and Governor Gibbons (Nevada).
The Georgia Governor has proclaimed N.I.T.M.A.M. several times and the 75th Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 7 in February 17, 2009. They had Toxic Mold Representatives from almost every state in U.S.A. and even International Representatives. Here are the interviews with victims, mold doctors, mold specialists, and including myself as pathologist at http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/31030. A NIMS slide presentation can be viewed at http://es.slideshare.net/nationalindoormoldsociety/nitmam2009-n-i-m-s-presentation.
Here’s the Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 7, which can be used for National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Proclamation:
Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 7–Assemblymen Stewart; Aizley, Anderson, Arberry, Atkinson, Bobzien, Buckley, Carpenter, Christensen, Claborn, Cobb, Conklin, Denis, Dondero Loop, Gansert, Goedhart, Goicoechea, Grady, Gustavson, Hambrick, Hardy, Hogan, Horne, Kihuen, Kirkpatrick, Koivisto, Leslie, Manendo, Mastroluca, McArthur, McClain, Mortenson, Munford, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parnell, Pierce, Segerblom, Settelmeyer, Smith, Spiegel and Woodbury Joint Sponsors: Senators Amodei, Breeden, Care, Carlton, Cegavske, Coffin, Copening, Hardy, Horsford, Lee, Mathews, McGinness, Nolan, Parks, Raggio, Rhoads, Schneider, Townsend, Washington, Wiener and Woodhouse
FILE NUMBER.......... ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION—Designating the month of September 2009 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month.
WHEREAS, People of all ages and backgrounds throughout the world have developed illnesses because of exposure to indoor toxic mold, and it is estimated that 500,000 deaths occur annually in the United States as a result of such exposure; and
WHEREAS, Most molds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic vapors created by mold spores, that are poisonous to humans and animals, and have even been used as biological weapons in war; and WHEREAS, Aflatoxins are mycotoxins that are among the most carcinogenic substances known, and the United States Food and Drug Administration has enforced regulatory limits on aflatoxin concentrations in foods and feeds since 1965; and
WHEREAS, Mycotoxins enter the body through inhalation, ingestion or contact with the skin and can result in a multitude of symptoms, including, but not limited to, dermatitis, cough, rhinitis, nosebleeds, cold- and flu-like symptoms, headache, general malaise and fever; and
WHEREAS, Mycotoxin exposure can lead to toxic injury that may include multiple potentially life-threatening illnesses, affecting the skin and the nervous, vascular, respiratory, digestive, reproductive, urinary and immune systems, as well as forming cancers within the body; and
WHEREAS, Certain species of molds, referred to as “body temperature molds,” can live and grow inside the human body, causing recurring infections and numerous other health problems as well as death; and WHEREAS, Mycotoxin Toxic Exposure Injury is a chronic, debilitating condition causing serious economic, employment, housing, health, social and other consequences, including death; and WHEREAS, While there is no practical way to eliminate all molds and mold spores in the indoor environment, indoor mold growth can be curtailed by controlling moisture and ensuring that any damp or wet building materials and furnishings are cleaned and dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth; and
WHEREAS, National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month is an opportunity to bring greater attention to the need for further education and consumer awareness about molds and mycotoxins; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, THE SENATE CONCURRING, That the 75th Nevada Legislature designates September 2009 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That the Legislature recognizes that by increasing awareness about indoor toxic mold, we can prevent needless hazardous conditions that take the lives of thousands every year and adversely affect the health and well-being of many more.
Many organizations, businesses, and states have continued to celebrate National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month (N.I.T.M.A.M.) every year and 2015 would be the 8th observance.
The Poem: Mold…The Destroyer
Toxic mold is destroying the lives of many families like Arielle Murray. Is it preventable? Yes. If a teenager can understand the seriousness of being exposed to toxic mold then, why can’t adults? Here’s the beautiful poem called Mold….The Destroyer
Only 13 years old exposed to mold
People don’t understand, even when they are told.
For five whole years, we didn’t know what was making us ill
All my parents could say is it must be God’s will.
One doctor said one thing, one doctor said another
All I know is I almost lost my mother.
She laid in bed for two whole years
All I saw come out of her eyes were tears.
I kept on saying what’s wrong with you
All she said is “Arielle I wish I knew.”
Two years before, she took me to school,
She went to my brothers baseball games,
She came and watched me at gymnastics,
She was my mom, she was cool.
Mold took over her life, It took over all of our lives.
All my dad wanted was his old wife.
Then we all started getting sick headaches, and burning nose,
Our whole bodys hurt, from our head to our toes.
It not only effects your body, but also your brain
Once your exposed you will never be the same.
We tried everything we could think of and then lost our house,
All we have now is each other and love,
I pray to God every single night
Make us the way we use to be, make everything alright.
The End
By: Arielle Murray Age 13 Mold….The Destroyer Published in 2005
If you have any questions, I can be reached at
Very truly yours,
Dr. William Croft