PRINTER'S NO. 3342
No. 434 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY WANSACZ, SANTONI, WATSON, READSHAW, GEORGE,
WASHINGTON, COY, GRUCELA, JAMES, SHANER, WOJNAROSKI, MELIO,
LAUGHLIN, PETRARCA, PRESTON, CALTAGIRONE, HARHAI, PALLONE,
CREIGHTON, KIRKLAND, GEIST, HORSEY, McGILL, McGEEHAN, MYERS,
STEELMAN, MICHLOVIC, THOMAS, MAJOR, SCHRODER, WALKO, STABACK,
MANDERINO, G. WRIGHT, YOUNGBLOOD, CURRY, BEBKO-JONES,
JOSEPHS, STURLA AND WILT, FEBRUARY 25, 2002
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, FEBRUARY 25, 2002
A RESOLUTION
1 Urging the Department of Health to develop a task force to
2 investigate the health effects of toxic mold.
3 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is becoming
4 increasingly concerned that the presence of toxic mold
5 contamination in homes, schools and office buildings is causing
6 possible health hazards; and
7 WHEREAS, An outbreak of litigation has ensued in the western
8 part of the United States by homeowners against their building
9 contractors and insurance companies to recover for damage done
10 to their homes and health problems which were possibly linked to
11 mold contamination where they were awarded millions of dollars;
12 and
13 WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have
14 performed numerous studies on the possible health effects of
15 toxic mold and have found possible linkages of exposure to mold
1 contamination to health problems such as coughing, wheezing,
2 runny nose, irritated eyes and throat and skin rashes; and
3 WHEREAS, Health professionals have investigated possible
4 relationships between mold contamination and outbreaks of
5 allergies, asthma attacks, negative effects on the function of
6 vital organs and a possible increase of susceptibility to colds
7 and flu; and
8 WHEREAS, It is imperative that the extent of health risks
9 related to toxic mold contamination be determined and a
10 corresponding plan of action be taken to eliminate such hazards
11 from buildings and structures within this Commonwealth; and
12 WHEREAS, Identifying and studying this indoor toxin is the
13 first step towards eliminating it from homes, schools and other
14 buildings throughout this Commonwealth; and
15 WHEREAS, It is in the best interests of the public health,
16 welfare and safety to establish a comprehensive study of toxic
17 mold; therefore be it
18 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
19 Department of Health to establish a task force to investigate
20 toxic mold in homes, schools and buildings and the potential
21 health hazards it may cause; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That the task force be comprised of various
23 individuals, including health officers, health and medical
24 experts, mold abatement experts, affected consumers, and
25 representatives of affected industries, including residential,
26 commercial and industrial tenants, proprietors, landlords,
27 insurers and builders; and be it further
28 RESOLVED, That the task force advise the department on the
29 development of exposure limits to mold, standards for assessment
30 of molds in indoor environments and standards for identification
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1 and remediation of mold; and be it further
2 RESOLVED, That the task force must present its findings to
3 the General Assembly.
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