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t.;� ' ,ri Page 11 <br /> IC:40 <br /> A study that assessed surface samples collected from normal outdoor, recreational <br /> environments found potentially toxigenic fungi were present.34 <br /> Human toxicity from molds (mycotoxicoses)has been documented only following <br /> ingestion of molds and mycotoxin-contaminated food.35 There is no valid scientific evidence <br /> to support the claim that inhalation of mold spores cause toxicity or human disease in indoor <br /> environments. <br /> Stachybotrys chartarum is not correctly labeled by the media,lay public, and some <br /> members of the medical profession, as "toxic mold"associated with adverse health effect in <br /> humans. In fact,reviews of the literature find no valid scientific evidence to support the claim <br /> that inhalation of Stachybotrys spores cause of human disease in indoor environments, even in <br /> water-damaged buildings: <br /> • "Published reports fail to establish inhalation of Stachybotrys spores as a cause of <br /> human disease even in water-damaged buildings."36 <br /> • "The literature review indicates that currently there is inadequate evidence <br /> supporting a causal relationship between symptoms or illness among building <br /> occupants and exposure to mycotoxins."37 <br /> • "...the current literature does not provide compelling evidence that exposure at <br /> levels expected in most mold-contaminated indoor environments is likely to result <br /> in measurable health effects.s38 <br /> • "The reviews led CDC to conclude that a possible association between acute <br /> pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis in infants and exposure to molds, <br /> specifically Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly referred to by its synonym <br /> Stachybotrys atra,was not proven."39 <br /> F. A temporal relationship alone cannot establish that exposure to mold spores at <br /> the Indian River County Fire Stations can cause illness. <br /> A temporal relationship must exist for causation to exist. This means that for cause and <br /> effect to be related,the cause must happen before the effect does. If the exposure occurs after <br /> the disease develops, it cannot cause the disease. However,to correctly determine whether or <br /> not the alleged exposure is the cause of the individual's disease, one must also determine the <br /> exposure level and alternative potential causes. A pre-existing condition cannot be used to <br /> support a claim that an exposure to a chemical has caused a disease.Additionally,health signs <br /> and symptoms that occur after departure from the alleged exposure environment cannot be <br /> 34 Sudakin,D.L.and Fallah,P. (2008).Toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in outdoor,recreational environments. <br /> Clin Toxicol. 16:738-744. <br /> 3s Council for Agricultural Science and Technology.(2003). loc. cit. <br /> 36 Terr,A.I.(2001). loc. cit. <br /> 37 Page,E.H.and Trout,D.B.(2001).loc. cit. <br /> 38 Robbins,C.A. et al. (2001).Mycotoxins in indoor environments.Indoor Air Quality Applications.Winter:9- <br /> 11. <br /> 39 CDC.(2000).Update: Pulmonary hemorrhage/hemosiderosis among infants--Cleveland,Ohio, 1993-1996. <br /> MMWRMorb Mortal Wkly Rep.49(9): 180-184. <br /> 63 <br />