Mold, Sick Building and Construction Defect Alert
Our latest alert features reports of general interest and from Colorado, New Jersey, Texas, New York, Virginia, California, Ohio, Nevada and Arizona. I think this alert is the first with no news from Florida--perhaps its just been too darn hot there.
General Interest:
Joe Lstiburek of Building Science Corp. calls mold resistant DensArmor Plus interior wallboard a product for the "brie-and-Chablis set;" Georgia Pacific says it will replace traditional drywall within the next five years. Atlanta Journal Consititution
Here's the final draft of the California Air Resources Board's Report on Indoor Air Pollution.
Mold Warriors, a book by Dr. Richie Shoemake has been published.
Colorado:
A Texas-based homebuilder will pay owners of a 43 building condominium complex in Superior $39.5 million for construction defects, the largest settlement of a residential construction-defects lawsuit in Colorado history. Denver Post
New Jersey:
Voters are being asked by the Evesham school district to approve a $15.5 million bond referendum on September 27 to fix the mold problems at three township schools. The district blamed faulty construction for the problems. The district is suing the companies involved in the construction of the buildings. Courier Post Online
Texas: Mold discovered during renovation work will require students at three Klein Independent School District elementary schools to begin the school year in transportable buildings while workers remove the mold. Houston Chronicle
New York:
Mold resulting from flooding has delayed the city of Watertown from moving into the new Department of Public Works until at least September. Because the City has not taken occupancy the contractors or their insurers will be responsible for paying for the clean up and damages. McGraw Hill Construction (Waterown Times)
Virginia:
A survey disclosed Stafford County's Grafton Village Elementary infested with moderate levels of mold. The Free Lance-Star
The city shut the doors of the Suffolk Inn Motel for numerous safety code violations found in a City inspection. The investigation was triggered by a police report of mold and other problems in one of the rooms. Suffolk News Herald
California:
University of California, Berkeley researchers found many Latina women and their children in the Salinas Valley, one of California's largest agricultural communities, reside in dilapidated mold and pest infested housing. Of 644 homes inspected, 58 percent had peeling paint, 43 percent had mold, 25 percent had water damage and 11 percent had rotting wood. UC Berkley News
Residents of the Menifee Woodside housing have filed suit against the developer alleging their homes were their homes were poorly made and built on contaminated soil. North County Times
A home inspector says one out of every 15 homes he inspects throughout Placer, Sacramento, Yolo and El Dorado counties has some problem with mold or water intrusion. Auburn Journal
Ohio:
The discovery of black mold caused the complete closure of the Pike County Jail. Chillicothe Gazette
Nevada:
Downtown's Regional Justice Center is taking so long to complete that it now needs $250,000 worth of mold removal. The contractor defaulted and the work is being completed by the contractor's surety. Las Vegas Business Press
Arizona:
The contractor building a $105 million sewer plant in Phoenix has been notified the public owners intend to terminate its contract for delays, construction defects and environmental problems. The Arizona Republic