Mold-Help.org - The world's largest TOXIC MOLD website
  • Mold Basics
    • Mold Overview
    • Mold Symptoms
    • Mold Types & Images
    • Fungal Infections
  • Resources and Tools
    • Home Care
    • Health & Diet
    • Tips for Parents
    • Coping with Loss
    • Private Research
    • Legal Suggestions
    • Mold in the Bible
  • Mold News
    • Current Headlines
    • “Sick Buildings”
    • The Environment
    • Construction Industry
    • Govt. & Politics
    • The Workplace
    • Landlords & Tenants
    • Insurance Companies
    • Schools & Institutions
    • Strange Fungal Tales
    • Personal Mold Stories
    • Additional Articles
  • Agencies & Experts
  • About Mold-Help
    • Mold-Help News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Insurance Broker Warns Toxic Mould Could Become the ‘New Asbestos’

October 3, 2004/in Additional Articles /by Carolyn Willbanks

Is mould the new asbestos? A leading insurance broker has warned that toxic mould has led to a growing number of claims in the United States and the problem is beginning to become apparent in the UK. In the US, “toxic mould syndrome” has led to a court award of $32m to a Texas resident, Melinda Ballard, after her insurer failed to recognize the problem or realize its policy covered mould. The real life Erin Brockovich was driven out of her new California home by the discovery of mould. Naturally, the crusader on whom a major Hollywood movie was based, is suing the builder. The insurance industry in the US is braced for billions of dollars of claims.

The problem is caused by dampness, which allows certain toxic varieties of mould to grow in buildings. Combined with modern building materials, this mould can lead to serious respiratory problems and, according to one claim, even deafness. Buildings where the mould has gone out of control have had to be demolished altogether.

Jardine Lloyd Thompson said insurers, landlords, developers and makers of building materials in the UK need to be aware of the dangers in order to work to prevent conditions where the mould flourishes. Peter Franklin, the technical director at JLT Corporate Risks, said: “Asbestos started off very slowly and no one took it seriously. Then the problems started to become apparent. The fear is that mould could be very similar.”

At least 12 types of fungi are recognized as being harmful, with names such as Stachybotrys chartarum and Fusarium. Mould feeds on organic materials such as carpets, wood and wallpaper and eats into plaster and brickwork, which then have to be replaced. A US investigation firm has reported seven new mould-related instructions a day. Yuppie-style warehouse conversions are particularly susceptible, because they are old buildings which have never before been heated. Once converted, with central heating and partitions put in, ideal breeding conditions for mould are created. The sudden heating draws moisture out of the building’s structure. “Older buildings that have been converted and unevenly insulated are a particular problem…. Rooting this out is a very expensive exercise,” Mr. Franklin said. The health problems caused by asbestos have led to tens of billions of pounds worth of claims and the scale of the liabilities almost brought down Lloyd’s of London a decade ago.

Mr Franklin pointed out that the increased frequency and severity of flooding in the UK could lead to greater instances of mould infestation. He said the Government promised two years ago to spend money on flood defences, in return for the insurance industry continuing to cover flooding. Nothing, however, has been done, he said. Mr Franklin said most people exposed to toxic mould would not be aware of it initially. But it can lead to illnesses with long-term health effects, especially with breathing. Workers in some commercial buildings have long complained of flu-like symptoms. In offices, the mould is often carried from dampness in the basement by air conditioning systems. “Sick building syndrome” may include toxic mould as one of its causes.

By Saeed Shah

Carolyn Willbanks
Author: Carolyn Willbanks

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png 0 0 Carolyn Willbanks https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png Carolyn Willbanks2004-10-03 21:02:292019-03-05 18:31:37Insurance Broker Warns Toxic Mould Could Become the ‘New Asbestos’

Mold News

  • Current Headlines
  • "Sick Buildings"
  • The Environment
  • Construction Industry
  • Govt. & Politics
  • The Workplace
  • Landlords & Tenants
  • Insurance Companies
  • Schools & Institutions
  • Personal Mold Stories
  • Strange Fungal Tales
  • Additional Articles

Latest Posts

  • Michigan Family Finds Toxic Mold Inside Home
  • California Winter Storms: Water Damage and Mold Exposure Concerns in California
  • Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings
  • COVID-19 Symptoms May Include Loss of Taste and Smell
  • New Mold Detox Information on the Horizon
  • COVID-19 Courses of Action
  • Stachybotrys
  • Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent the Coronavirus
  • Your Air Conditioning Unit Helps Eliminate Mold
  • Construction Workers Are Learning to Control Dust and Debris

Search Our Site:

Need Help with Mold?

Are you being affected by mold or other mycotoxins in your environment? Our team and community has over 15 years experience and can provide guidance. You can reach us by submitting your contact or through our Facebook page.

Have a Story to Share?

We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. If mold has impacted your life, please take the time to share your story. Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your permission.

Seeking Mold Experts

Are you an expert in the treatment of mold-affected health illnesses, or a provider of services to victims of mycotoxin exposure? Submit your information for listing consideration in our Agencies & Experts resource database.

Additional Resources

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Survivor Resources
  • General Inquiries
  • Legal Disclaimer

© Copyright - Mold-Help Organization
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mold Basics
  • Resources and Tools
  • Agencies & Experts
  • Mold News
  • About Mold-Help
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only