Consumer Diary: Insurance myths busted | Business — Journal Inquirer

Are you aware that women typically pay higher health insurance premiums than men, and that most people incorrectly believe comprehensive auto coverage covers car damage from a collision?

Those are just some of the findings of the nationwide 2019 Insurance Myths and Misconceptions survey published June 19 and commissioned by the website Insurancequotes.com, which provides free rate and coverage comparisons. The findings include:

• Myth: 68 percent of Americans mistakenly believe that comprehensive auto insurance covers car damage from a collision.

Truth: Comprehensive pays for damage from something other than a collision, like fire, theft, vandalism. Liability insurance pays for the policyholder’s responsibility to others for bodily injury or property damage. Collision insurance pays for property damage to your vehicle.

• Myth: 36 percent incorrectly believe you pay more for a red vehicle, including 41 percent of those between 18 and 34.

Truth: Rates depend on vehicle year, make, model, body type, and engine size.

• Myth: 36 percent believe that federal law requires riders of battery-powered scooters to have liability insurance.

Truth: It’s not required unless the scooter rental company or city or town granting a permit requires it.

• Myth: 35 percent believe a standard homeowner’s insurance policy covers flood damage, while 34 percent believe it covers mold damage.

Truth: You can pay an extra premium for flood insurance from the federal National Flood Insurance Program covering up to $250,000 in structural damage and up to $100,000 in content loss, limiting basement coverage to structural elements and necessary equipment — electrical and HVAC systems.

The NFIP defines “flood” as “partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties.” It does not cover any other water damage.

• Myth: Mold remediation is covered by standard homeowners policies.

Truth: Generally, only if it results from a covered item like a burst pipe.

• Myth: 66 percent believe men and women pay the same health insurance premiums.

Truth: Although the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) requires equal premiums, data from eHealth Inc. — a private online health insurance marketplace — show that in 2018 women paid an average $43 more monthly for insurance bought via the healthcare marketplace.

“Our report on the ACA’s open enrollment period for 2018 coverage showed that men who didn’t receive ACA subsidies paid an average monthly premium of $418 while women paid an average premium of $461,” eHealth spokesman Sande Drew told me. For 2019 to date, he said, “Unsubsidized men paid an average monthly premium of $431 while women paid an average monthly premium of $465.” The reason, Drew said, appears to be “that women tend to pick plans with higher average premiums than men.”

I think that could be because women are rightly more concerned about their health than men.

• Myth: 46 percent thought that life insurance companies can’t use a pre-existing medical condition in figuring premiums.

Truth: They can and they do.

Now you know. Meanwhile, continue to celebrate our national holiday … with or without tanks in the street!

source https://www.journalinquirer.com/business/consumer-diary-insurance-myths-busted/article_cd00b826-9dde-11e9-a4c3-1fb968332590.html

High school board changes meeting days — The Galt Herald

Trustees of the Galt Joint Union High School District met June 11 for their last regular meeting before taking a quick summer break. During the meeting, trustees changed the day of the week for their meetings for the rest of the year, approved a 6 percent salary increase for the superintendent, approved the 2019-20 proposed budget and Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), and tabled for the next morning, an emergency resolution to enter into a contract to fix water and mold damage at Liberty Ranch High School. This was approved at a special meeting the next morning, June 12.

Noting conflicts for future meetings, the board chose to change regular board meetings from the second Tuesday of each month to the first Thursday of each month, except in December when there is a conflict. The board will continue to meet at City Hall at 6 p.m. for those regular meetings. Future meeting dates are Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 19, to accommodate for the CSBA conference.

At the December meeting, board members will readdress meeting dates, times and location during their regularly scheduled organizational meeting.

Trustees approved an overall 6 percent salary increase for Superintendent William Spalding, who just completed his first year at the helm of the district.

According to Spalding’s contract, his term of employment was continued by one school year to June 30, 2022 and is eligible to receive a salary increase consistent to other employee groups at 3 percent. In addition, Spalding was granted a column increase of 3 percent for a total of 6 percent.

Trustees agreed to revise the superintendent’s contract so that all contractual monthly expense allowances, such as car and cellular, be included into the total salary for the superintendent. This will eliminate the additional payment of expense allowances in the future.

Spalding’s total salary will be $193,900 annually.

“I want to commend Bill (Spalding) for the job he’s done this year,” Board President Dan Denier said at the meeting. “It has been a completely different turn around in direction that the board and the district is heading, and I think we owe that to you. You came in and you’ve gotten us through and we’ve had things – like with all the construction where you’ve brought in value engineering that has saved the district money. I think that’s important that people understand that – that the job you’ve done has been pretty significant for the district this past year.”

Spalding started his tenure at the opening of Hawk Stadium and just last month celebrated the ribbon cutting of the new Warrior Stadium, as well as the groundbreaking of the state-of-the-art two-story science building at Galt High.

Denier went on to thank the entire administrative team at the district level, as well as all the teachers and staff of the district.

“I really do look forward to working, in the distant future, with you (Spalding) and this board, because this is a good board we have right now,” Denier said.

The item was approved 4-0. Trustee Mark Beck was absent.

Trustees approved the 2019-20 budget with a 4-0 vote. And although the district will be deficit spending in the next couple of fiscal years, staff concluded that the district would still be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two years.

“Administration is confident that the district will be able to maintain prudent operating reserves, and have the necessary cash in order to ensure that the district remains fiscally solvent,” the staff report concluded.

The district operates on an approximate $27,000,000 budget.

Needing the approval of the entire board, trustees tabled approving an emergency resolution to enter into a contract to fix significant water damage in the agricultural building at Liberty Ranch High School. On top of the water damage, “unhealthy forms of mold” began to grow within the walls.

Because Trustee Beck was absent the resolution was tabled until the next day, when all trustees could meet together. It was passed 5-0 on July 12.

Although testing results showed that there is unhealthy mold growths encapsulated inside the south wall of the ag building, air quality in each room was in the good or normal range at this time.

“None of the mold found has become airborne or made its way into the interior class and shop space, thus there has been no health risk posed to students or staff,” staff reported.

Because of the “emergency situation” concerning potential safety and there is an immediate need to repair and restore the building to begin the new school year, district officials sought an emergency resolution to expedite the project.

The emergency resolution’s expedited timeline eliminates the district’s need to go through the normal bidding process, allowing the district to move forward immediately.

An emergency resolution requires a unanimous vote from all board members, as well as the blessing of the Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, David Gordon.

As the newest building on the Liberty Ranch campus, district staff is puzzled as to how this could happen.

“From the inspections with representatives from the builder, roofer, and district M&O (maintenance and operations), the issue was found to be significant with moisture and damage under the roofing layer, but with no obvious cause or source. The roofing itself appeared intact,” staff reported.

The district has hired an “expert forensic water intrusion inspection team” to determine the cause and source.

“After the abatement is completed, walls and air quality will be retested to ensure healthy levels and that the substance has been fully removed and cleaned,” staff reported.

District officials plan to have the walls removed and reconstructed in time for the first day of school Aug. 12.

“Our aim is to have everything returned to normal and to be able to re-occupy the building in time to start the new school year,” staff reported.

source http://www.galtheraldonline.com/news/high-school-board-changes-meeting-days/article_fad9ed8c-9ddc-11e9-adf9-47f1e288c8c0.html

Hale Mahana representatives respond to mold allegations | Local — Ka Leo

Changes were made to Hale Mahana Apartments after residents reported mold in some units.

After recent mold allegations, representative of real estate company Laconia Development LLC Paul Menzies commented on the issue.

“Hale Mahana ownership immediately initiated a professional, third-party assessment of the condition by a Honolulu-based consultant that is experienced in such matters,” Menzies said.

Owners of Hale Mahana were notified by building management that some tenants noticed mold in certain areas of their units in October 2018.

According to Hale Mahana, the third-party assessment results concluded that some mold had been found on tenants’ personal items and under desks and cabinets drawers.

Moldy Laptop Bag — A laptop bag belonging to a resident of Hale Mahana.

Geneva Diaz / Ka Leo O Hawai’i

The third party also advised ownership to adjust humidity levels in the building, which, if high enough, can create an ideal environment for mold growth, investigators say.

Menzies also stated that the mold in the infected units was cleaned in mid-November and during that time the affected residents were moved to different rooms in the building.

“During the cleaning process, building management was conscientious about working around tenants’ schedules to accommodate classes, exams and other commitments,” Menzies said.

In addition to the third-party assessment, an air conditioning consultant was hired to conduct a review of the buildings’ air conditioning system, according to Menzies.

“Air conditioning thermostats had been installed to allow very low temperatures,” Menzies said. “Residents should be instructed to turn off the air conditioning when windows in their apartments are open.”

Menzies also mentioned that every Hale Mahana apartment unit was thoroughly cleaned, including rooms that did not contain mold.

DOH Assessment and Results

After concerns raised by residents living at Hale Mahana, the Department of Health made an assessment of the common areas of the facility on June 6.

“Myself and our AC/Vent inspector did not observe any deficiencies,” Shawn Haruno , DOH indoor air quality specialist, said. “The residential units are individually controlled by thermostat.”

Haruno said that they did not test specifically for mold. They assessed the cause of indoor air quality issues and gave recommendations.

“Our assessments consist of a visual inspection of the facility and mechanical equipment, and IAQ indicators like temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide,” Haruno said. “If individual occupants choose to set the temperature below 72 degrees fahrenheit, condensation issues will arise and cause mold growth.”

Haruno said that opening windows while surfaces are cool can lead to more condensation and that moisture sources such as leaky pipes may also contribute to moisture damage and mold growth.

Effects of Mold

Studies show that people who inhale mold spores have a possibility of getting sick, but depending on the type of mold, people can experience different effects.

When discussing mold as a non-scientific term for a group of fungi, mycologist George Wong at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Botany Department had some insight.

“Keep in mind, however, that most mold is not harmful to your health,” Wong said. “For example, the mold that grows on shower tiles is not dangerous. It takes an expert to know whether a particular mold is harmful or just annoying.”

Since experts said that mold is prevalent in Hawai‘i’s hot and humid weather, Wong suggested cleaning your home regularly to prevent or reduce mold growth.

“If you don’t clean up the problem, then of course, you are going to continue to have the same problems and will become worse over time,” Wong said. “However, to fix the problem, the source of the problem has to be identified! Otherwise, regardless of how conscientiously you are cleaning the apartment, the problem will just keep recurring.”

Hale Mahana management said that they will monitor air conditioning systems to protect the air quality in each room and in the building’s common areas.

“Because mold is commonplace in residential and corporate structures in Hawai‘i, Hale Mahana ownership will continue to take proactive steps to make the building less susceptible,” Menzies said.

source http://www.manoanow.org/kaleo/news/local/hale-mahana-representatives-respond-to-mold-allegations/article_f3d704a8-9d0e-11e9-8aa0-6798c02916fd.html

1 dead, 5 infected by mold that halted surgeries at Seattle Children’s Hospital — Huron Daily Tribune

Updated 11:42 pm EDT, Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

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Caption

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Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Children’s Hospital has revealed that one patient has died and five others have been infected by a potentially dangerous mold that has forced the medical center to close all of its main operating rooms.

The hospital disclosed the infections and death to The Seattle Times Tuesday in response to follow-up questions regarding the closures of four operating rooms on its main Seattle campus May 18 because of Aspergillus mold and of the remaining 10 operating rooms May 24.

The hospital says operating rooms have been infested by mold — off and on — for about a year likely because of deficiencies in the operating rooms’ air handling and purification systems.

Children’s public relations manager Alyse Bernal wrote in an email that three patients were infected last year and three this year. The patient who died developed the infection in 2018.

«The six patients who developed Aspergillus infections were at higher risk of infection due to the types of procedures they had,» Bernal said. «We are deeply saddened that one of these patients died.»

No other information about the children and their conditions was released.

About 1,000 surgeries have been postponed while other surgeries have been moved to the cardiac catheterization facility on the hospital’s main campus in Seattle and its Bellevue campus. Most surgeries have been moved to other area hospitals.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said Aspergillus mold can live indoors or outside and that most people breathe it daily without getting sick. But people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk of developing infections in the lungs or sinuses from the mold. Aspergillosis can range from mild to serious, manifesting as an allergic reaction or infections in the lungs and other organs.

An investigation done in May by Children’s found gaps in the air-filtration system believed to be the key contributing factors to the air-quality issue, Bernal wrote in an email. «Outside industrial hygienists» are helping the hospital investigate the source of the mold, she wrote.

Last summer, after air testing at Children’s detected the mold in two operating rooms and an equipment-storage room, those rooms were closed for three days and all operating rooms and storage rooms were inspected, Bernal wrote. «At that time, the issue appeared to be confined to the affected rooms and we took appropriate corrective actions,» she wrote.

Children’s also reached out to Public Health — Seattle & King County, which connected the hospital to the CDC because the federal agency had more expertise dealing with that kind of mold, public health spokesperson James Apa said. The CDC issued no report after it determined Children’s was taking appropriate actions to investigate and address the problem, Apa said. Washington state Department of Health investigators also checked out the hospital and offered suggestions on how to improve air quality, which the hospital followed, Bernal wrote.

But the mold returned in 2019. In May, it was detected in four operating rooms and some equipment-storage rooms during a routine check, Bernal said.

After the hospital closed the four operating rooms May 18, some «urgent and less invasive procedures» were performed in the remaining 10 operating rooms, Bernal wrote in an email to The Times Tuesday.

Six days later, those operating rooms were also closed. Bernal said the additional closures were needed so crews could access and fix the hospital’s air system. She would not say whether mold was detected in those rooms.

«We will reopen our operating rooms when it is safe to do so,» Bernal wrote in an email. Children’s has not yet determined when that will be.

Bernal told The Times in May that Children’s was contacting 3,000 patients who had surgery in the four months leading up to the May 18 closure and advising them to watch for infection symptoms.

___

Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com

source https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/1-dead-5-infected-by-mold-that-halted-hospital-14068283.php

3D Printed Molds – All You Need to Know to DIY — All 3DP

One major way to expand your 3D printing capacity is learning how to 3D print molds. We’re not talking about taking up microbiology, but creating vessels to fill with your ideas. They’re great for mass manufacturing, standardizing your designs, and expanding your repertoire of what you can make for yourself. Here, we’ll give you the rundown on what 3D printed molds are, how to create and use them, and why they’re a good idea.

First, we need to distinguish between two types of object creation to illustrate how printing 3D molds is different than your standard 3D printing projects. The main difference is in how you get to the final object.

Standard 3D printing is its own means to an end – once your printer stops and your material cools, you’ve got your end product. The standard 3D printing process is additive, which means you’re building your shape as you print. Your design falls into place as the material is extruding, which is how it’s finalized as soon as you’re done.

3D printing molds takes an extra step. First, you print a container that is the inversion of your final design; then you fill that container with your final manufacturing material, let that dry, then open the mold to reveal your final object. We’ll get into the nitty-gritty below, but for now, just know these general steps are called additive manufacturing and do require a little more work than standard 3D printing projects. But we promise it’s totally worth it.

source https://all3dp.com/2/3d-printed-molds-all-you-need-to-know-to-diy/

Property Owner Fines Of $21K Plus Could Be Passed On To Tenant — CapeNews.net

A tenant who has allegedly interfered with a landlord’s attempts to address health and safety code violations could be ordered to pay the fines assessed by the town against the property owner.

The fines currently exceed $21,000.

The matter concerns violations uncovered at a residential property at 141 Williams Avenue in Pocasset.

At the June 26 meeting of the Bourne Board of Health, board members said that they may seek to levy the fines against the tenant rather than the landlord.

Initially, at the board’s meeting on June 12, members decided to fine owner Paula Hoffman $300 a day, retroactive to April 17. That came to $17,100, with the register still ticking until all violations are cleared up.

As of the board’s meeting last week, the tally was up to $20,700.

An inspection conducted on April 17 uncovered water damage throughout the house, damage to the roof, and all the windows in need of replacement. In addition, a mold specialist had to be called in given the extent of the water damage.

Orders were issued to clear up the violations, and a second inspection was done on June 10. The only correction made was replacement of the home’s carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. The tenant renting the home from Ms. Hoffman complained of the conditions and requested the inspection.

However, Ms. Hoffman’s attorney, Karyn A. Morris-Devine of Hyannis, told the board at its June 26 meeting that it was the tenant who was responsible for much of the damage not being addressed.

The tenant’s actions, Ms. Morris-Devine said, has led to a problem with retaining contractors willing to do the necessary work.

“We had contractor after contractor say they were going to start and then disappear,” she said.

She said a contractor recently found that the tenant had defecated in the toilet and not flushed. The tenant also owned a pit bull that prevented contractors from doing work at the house. In addition, a dehumidifier placed in the house three years ago that was installed to combat moisture causing mold issues was constantly being turned off, she said.

“So the tenant is actively interfering with the work being done, interfering with the contractors,” she said.

The most recent contractor hired, a plumber, cleaned the toilet and did the work needed to be done, but, she said, he described the inside of the house as “absolutely disgusting.”

Board chairman Kathleen M. Peterson said that everything Ms. Morris-Devine was saying was only hearsay without corroborating evidence or testimony, either from the tenant or one of the department’s health inspectors.

She urged Ms. Morris-Devine to contact the department as soon as possible when such a situation occurs. The board of health can then order the tenant to appear before them, and explain that the fines can be transferred to him,” Ms. Peterson said.

“You’d be surprised how quickly the dog disappears, the door stays open, and the dehumidifier stays on when they’re getting fined $300 a day,” she said.

Ms. Morris-Devine asked that the board acknowledge the $10,000 Ms. Hoffman has spent addressing the violations at the Williams Avenue residence. She said that her client is not wealthy and the tenant has not paid any rent for months.

New windows have been ordered, a mold mitigation company has been hired, and the contractor has started working on the rear of the house where rot has been detected.

“She’s doing the best she can, and I have not ignored this,” Ms. Morris-Devine said.

Board members urged Ms. Morris-Devine to document any and all actions taken by the tenant to prevent the work being done, and forward that documentation to the health department for their records. The board agreed to continue the matter to its meeting on Wednesday, July 24.

source https://www.capenews.net/bourne/news/property-owner-fines-of-k-plus-could-be-passed-on/article_9ea4d61c-bac9-5f95-b063-4930d8566b98.html

1 dead, 5 infected by mold that halted surgeries at Seattle Children’s Hospital — Westport News

Updated 11:42 pm EDT, Tuesday, July 2, 2019

Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

Image 1 of / 1

Caption

Image 1 of 1

Seattle Children’s Hospital, pictured in a file photo.

The hospital says operating rooms have been infested by mold — off and on — for about a year likely because of deficiencies in the operating rooms’ air handling and purification systems.

Children’s public relations manager Alyse Bernal wrote in an email that three patients were infected last year and three this year. The patient who died developed the infection in 2018.

No other information about the children and their conditions was released.

But the mold returned in 2019. In May, it was detected in four operating rooms and some equipment-storage rooms during a routine check, Bernal said.

«We will reopen our operating rooms when it is safe to do so,» Bernal wrote in an email. Children’s has not yet determined when that will be.

Bernal told The Times in May that Children’s was contacting 3,000 patients who had surgery in the four months leading up to the May 18 closure and advising them to watch for infection symptoms.

___

Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com

source https://www.westport-news.com/news/article/1-dead-5-infected-by-mold-that-halted-hospital-14068283.php

D.C. officials want to demolish or renovate 14 of the city’s worst public housing complexes — Washington Post

The D.C. Housing Authority is announcing plans to redevelop and demolish public housing complexes affecting about 2,600 units within 14 properties, including Greenleaf Gardens, shown above. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

July 2 at 7:00 AM

D.C. housing officials want to demolish or renovate a third of the city’s public housing portfolio, partnering with private developers to remake 14 public complexes that currently offer some of the worst living conditions in the city.

More than 2,600 families are living in units considered in “extremely urgent” condition because of problems including lead, mold, vermin infestations and extensive water damage, D.C. Housing Authority officials said.

The agency’s plan to tear down or improve those complexes over the next decade is likely to spark anxiety for many of those residents, who fear being pushed out of a rapidly gentrifying city or finding that the rehabilitated housing, once finished, does not include spaces for them.

The complexes, now federally owned and managed by the housing authority, would no longer be owned by the federal government. Private companies could come in to redevelop them into mixed-income or affordable housing, and some residents would get government housing vouchers and have to find a landlord to accept them.

“They have to do something. The question is: How do they do it in a way that minimizes disruptions and accounts for people’s very real housing needs?” said Amber Harding, an attorney with the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless. “Once you talk about redevelopment on a massive scale, it’s really scary.”

Ten of the complexes would be demolished or totally gutted, while four would be substantially renovated, starting as soon as October. A late $24 million infusion to the city budget would be used for the renovations.

In all, housing officials say they need $770 million from private and government sources to fix or replace the other 10 complexes. Local officials say residents are living in dangerous conditions and that the federal government has not provided funding for major capital upgrades.

The housing authority is convening community meetings at affected buildings starting next week.

“We have to be truthful, honest and transparent that’s it not going to be an easy road,” Tyrone Garrett, executive director of the D.C. Housing Authority, said this week. “It’s going to require a resident to be inconvenienced due to some type of rehabilitation in their building, or it may require actual relocation for a period of time.”

[Competing visions for the District’s affordable housing crisis at city hall]

Water damage has created a mold issue in several apartments at Greenleaf Gardens. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Maintenance supervisor Ronnell Gorham looks at the water damage to a skylight in a stairwell at Greenleaf Gardens. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Housing authorities across the country have been confronting the challenges of dilapidated public housing, as federal funding shrinks and the government increasingly relies on private landlords to provide affordable homes through programs such as Section 8 vouchers.

Last fall, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sent letters to local authorities signaling plans to reduce the public housing stock by more than 100,000 units and suggesting several mechanisms to do so.

The D.C. authority is opting to seek federal permission to demolish or renovate the public housing complexes it has targeted. The process also requires approval from the local housing authority board and proof that buildings are beyond repair.

If the federal housing agency approves the city’s plans, tenants could be relocated starting in late 2020.

The complexes that would be partly or fully demolished include Benning Terrace, Fort Dupont Dwellings and Addition, Stoddert Terrace, and Woodland Terrace in Southeast Washington; Garfield Senior and Terrace, and Kelly Miller Dwellings in Northwest Washington; Langston Terrace in Northeast Washington; the Greenleaf complex in the Navy Yard area, for which the city is already accepting redevelopment proposals; and Richardson Dwellings, which is slated to become a mixed-income development.

Details on what would replace them will depend on proposals from private developers and the city’s ability to secure financing.

Housing advocates say the process carries risks for residents, including no legal guarantee that they can return to a similar unit, the possibility of new eligibility requirements and the loss of large units or those accessible for people with disabilities.

Displaced residents would be eligible for vouchers, but it can be difficult finding landlords willing to accept them in a housing-strapped city.

Christina Weir, 48, stands in the kitchen of her James Creek public housing apartment, where the floor has begun to rot. There are two large holes in the floor, now covered with boards. (Katherine Frey/The Washington Post)

Deborah Thrope of the National Housing Law Project said there’s a long history of governments failing to prevent displacement when renovating low-income housing across the country, including the federal Hope VI program, which was intended to transform public housing complexes into mixed-income developments.

“It was a disaster. They lost thousands of tenants in that process in many of these deals because they didn’t have the right protections in place so tenants knew when and how and where they could return,” said Thrope. “Understandably, the residents are fearful of what lies ahead.”

Housing officials say they aren’t trying to abandon public housing and want to ensure residents have homes to return to, although that could mean using a voucher outside of the city.

“It’s not our intent to displace anyone,” Garrett said. “It’s our intent to improve their conditions.”

Garrett said the housing agency is trying to avoid flooding the city with thousands of residents at once with public housing renovations. Relocation would be gradual, and the authority is exploring options to relocate residents in buildings with many vacancies or in temporary modular facilities.

“I don’t want to create any type of panic,” Garrett said. “Remember, this isn’t going to happen overnight, and no one is going to move immediately.”

The complexes that would be substantially renovated but not demolished or put to market include Judiciary House in Chinatown, LeDroit Apartments and the Kelly Miller Dwellings near Howard University, and Langston Addition in Northeast Washington.

As pot flourishes in D.C., federal law prohibits use in public housing

D.C. cuts off taxpayer subsidies to controversial landlord

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source https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-officials-want-to-demolish-or-renovate-14-of-the-citys-worst-public-housing-complexes/2019/07/02/5c25fc0c-9cf2-11e9-9ed4-c9089972ad5a_story.html

Feeding moldy hay can create problems in livestock — High Plains Journal

With the abundance of rain the High Plains has received over the last several weeks, farmers and ranchers are likely dealing with moldy hay and spoiled feed.

Moldy or spoiled feed can present a health risk for a multitude of species, said Kris Hiney, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension equine specialist.

“Hay can be unfit for livestock due to excessive moisture while baling or exposure to the elements, such as excessive rain or flooding. Molds present in the feed may contain mycotoxins, which can cause significant health issues,” Hiney said. “While only some molds produce mycotoxins, these are visually unable to be differentiated, and the presence of mycotoxins is difficult to assess.”

Animals that consume contaminated feeds can experience liver and kidney damage, neurologic disorders and estrogenic effects. While mycotoxins may not always cause clinical diseases, they can interact with animal stressors to decrease efficiency and reproduction and increase disease incidence, which may not be directly attributable by the producer to the feedstuff.

Adverse weather conditions during or post baling can allow mold growth, as it grows and thrives in warm and wet conditions. Hay with 14 to 15 percent moisture is subject to mold. Humidity, along with prematurely baling or excessive rain and flooding events can promote mold growth.

Hiney said it is important for producers of all forage consuming species, including cattle, sheep, goats and horses, to carefully monitor animal performance when weather conditions have increased the likelihood of spoiled or moldy forage.

“While mycotoxins typically are associated with grains, forage also can contain disease-causing agents,” she said. “Ochratoxin is typically associated with only death in young calves, as it’s rapidly degraded in the rumen in more mature animals. However, this mycotoxin has been associated with cattle deaths and abortions believed to be due to disruption phenylalanine metabolism.”

A fumigatus is a mycotoxin found more frequently in hay. Animals that consume hay containing this mycotoxin will exhibit symptoms similar to those of protein deficiencies or malnutrition, including poor haircoat, immunodeficiency and poor performance. Animals already stressed by environmental conditions may experience suppressed immune systems if they consume contaminated hay.

Hiney said producers must look beyond harvest forages because pastures also are susceptible to mycotoxins.

“Unfortunately, mycotoxins are not easily verified, as their distribution in feed may be highly variable,” she said. “Samples must be handled carefully prior to analysis. Visual appraisal may not be useful for producers and the use of black lights is not encouraged as a detection methodology.”

Producers concerned with the presence of mycotoxins or mold spores can send samples to a diagnostic lab. Dairy One laboratory can perform mold and yeast counts, as well as a mycotoxin panel, for a fee.

If the presence of mycotoxins is unable to be verified, producers should carefully monitor herd health regarding reproductive efficiency, feed utilization and gain, and overall health status. Keep in mind even if mycotoxins are not present, the presence of mold can decrease the digestibility of feeds and result in nutrient loss. Hiney said cattle may experience a reduction of 5 percent in ability to extract energy. The overall nutrient composition of the diet may need to be increased in compensation.

“Horse owners should be more vigilant when feeding moldy hay compared to cattle, sheep and goats. Ruminants may be better protected against mycotoxins due to degradation in the rumen. However, chronic exposure in the ruminant can be deleterious and may depend on other dietary factors,” she said.

Alternative forage sources should be investigated, if possible. If moderately moldy hay must be fed, consider having it tested for nutrient content. Spoilage may be sufficient enough to be detected through traditional forage testing. Hiney said it is important to feed in a very well-ventilated area or steam the hay, if possible.

“This is especially true for horses that typically are fed in more confined areas such as stalls and barns. Mold spores and dust can cause significant respiratory disorders to both the animals and the humans handling the feed,” she said. “More importantly, moldy forage may decrease intake due to its palatability, further reducing performance efficiency. Don’t force animals to consume hay by withholding alternative feed stuffs.”

source https://www.hpj.com/livestock/feeding-moldy-hay-can-create-problems-in-livestock/article_15cb9862-420c-553e-aa9d-65d0d1cdc46c.html

Mold in Your Bathroom? — Lansing State Journal

Amanda Oboza, Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® Published 11:34 a.m. ET July 2, 2019

Bathroom mold is a very common problem for many homeowners, but it is also relatively easy to prevent and treat. However, if undetected or left untreated, mold can become a major problem that is difficult and costly to fix. It can also produce allergens that may greatly affect your family’s health.

Mold spores are everywhere and they spread very easily, but it is important to note that they typically only become a problem when they have what they need to flourish – a food source, the right temperature, and moisture.

Mold’s preferred food source is any cellulose-based substance, which is found in most homes in the sheetrock, wood floors, wood studs, etc. It also flourishes in temperatures around 65-72 degrees, which is the range in which many homeowners set their thermostat. Since molds’ food source and desired temperatures are hard to avoid, homeowners should focus on controlling the third and most important factor – moisture. This is especially important when we are talking about bathrooms.

“Make sure you have a properly sized exhaust fan and use it regularly,” said Randy Leak of Property Prestige, LLC. “The fan should run during showers, baths or any other high humidity activity, and it should run for at least 20 minutes after the humidity activity ends.”

Leak says you should also focus on removing excess moisture in the bathroom whenever possible.

“Mold and mildew growth starts long before you can see it, so clean your bathroom regularly,” he suggests. “Squeegee the water off the tub and shower walls to reduce the amount of moisture. If your bathroom starts to smell musty, change something…keep the fan running longer, clean more often, take wet articles out of the bathroom to dry, etc.”

Bathroom mold isn’t always obvious. Check hidden areas, such as under sinks, around exhaust fans, even in crawl spaces and basements underneath bathrooms.

Leak says that prevention is key. So, if you are considering remodeling or building a new home there are things you should consider, such as using a semi-gloss paint that it is more durable and protects better than other options.

“Be sure to insulate walls and ceilings well,” he says. “You want to keep the moisture in the air as much as possible and a well insulated home will help do that. Also, insulate the exhaust duct to keep the air warm. This will help keep the moisture in the air until it is outside.”

So, what do you do if you already have a mold issue? If the infestation is not large, you can most likely take care of it yourself. If the affected area is more than 10 square feet, or if there is significant moisture damage, the Environmental Protection Agency suggests you consult a professional.

For a list of experienced mold remediation specialists and home inspectors, visit the Greater Lansing Association of REALTORS® website at https://ift.tt/2pNzptA.

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source https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/marketplace/real-estate/2019/07/02/mold-your-bathroom/1627869001/