Ethics and conflict of interest questioned during possible inaccurate and incomplete mold investigation

12/20/2004 

Seattle, WA - Two people hired by Seattle Public Schools claimed that the mold found at Nathan Hale High School does not pose an emergency or immediate health risk to students, contrary to others' beliefs.

Though students and staff had complained of poor air quality in some classrooms, the problem was caused by poor ventilation, according to the report from Bruce Kelman and Coreen Robbins, consultants from Redmond-based GlobalTox. Globaltox is a privately owned organization that makes most of its profits conducting defense work for large corporations such as the insurance and chemical industry. Many have questioned the ethics and conflict of interest of such a company and their biased reporting that has been documented in other cases.

The Nathan Hale environmental report that pair from Globaltox wrote claimed that in some cases, carbon-dioxide levels were elevated because classroom ventilators had been turned off and windows were closed, the report. During a Nov. 30 walk-through, the pair claimed they did see some mold in small areas of some ceiling tiles. The district says those areas will be cleaned during the holiday break. Even a lay person would know that if  a ceiling tile is stained, it is consequential of a possible severe mold problem that exists by either a HVAC or roof leak and further investiigation is necessary.

In its recommendation, GlobalTox claimed it isn't necessary to take further mold samples in the building and suggested the district employ health professionals to counter "inaccurate information concerning mold occurrence, exposures and potential health effects." It also urged the district to develop a long-term plan to minimize mold growth.

It is commonly known that people who hire companies such as Globaltox are trying to protect valuable assets.  Further investigation should have been conducted to protect the health and welfare of the staff, as well as the poor children, which some are already suffering from the effects of possible exposure.

11/14/02

Olympia, WA - A search for environmental health and structural problems at west Olympia's Forest Glen Apartments could lead to condemnations, widespread repairs and displaced tenants.