February 28, 2008 – As tens of thousands of families are moved from FEMA trailers, mobile homes, and park models over the next several months to hotels and apartments, some of the accommodations are bound to be less than optimal. In order to protect health from further degradation and begin the process of health restoration, soon-to-be former FEMA unit residents will need to be proactive and vigilant regarding their health.

For over two-and-a half years, many of the hurricane survivors housed in formaldehyde-laden FEMA units have experienced adverse health effects such as watery eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches and fatigue. According to FEMA, “People with eye, skin, respiratory, or allergic conditions, and those with asthma are more likely to feel the effects of formaldehyde. Children and the elderly may be more sensitive as well.”

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) defines an adverse health effect as a “. . . change in body function or cell structure that might lead to disease or health problems.” What this means is that the “adverse health effects” experienced by occupants of FEMA-provided housing units that off-gassed elevated levels of formaldehyde might lead to disease or health problems. FEMA acknowledges, “More serious health problems may be caused by extended exposure, including a small but increased risk of some forms of cancer.” Thus, the extended exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde that occupants of FEMA housing units suffered requires that exposed people take appropriate preventative measures to reduce the risk of these more serious formaldehyde-induced diseases and health problems.

Amidst CDC’s pledge to set up a registry of occupants of the FEMA housing units and assurance to monitor health outcomes experienced by people who were exposed to elevated levels of formaldehyde, some of these victims may feel that the government is going to “take care of them.” However, unless the CDC, FEMA, or some other arm of the government set up avenues of detoxification for FEMA unit occupants who have or currently are experiencing adverse health effects, future derailment of health may occur.

According to Timothy Callaghan, MD, DC, at the Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM), the most effective means of prevention of disease and health problems from toxic exposures is bio-detoxification. Bio-detoxification is a process in which harmful substances such as poisons or toxins that have been stored in the body are removed. Dr. Callaghan explains in the book, MOLD: The War Within, how vitamins and minerals can be used to bind toxins for a safer and more comfortable elimination from the body. We must all take personal responsibility for our health and seek out methods to effectively detoxify our own bodies through the use of organic foods, whole foods (non-processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, etc.), vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other health supplements to undo the harmful effects from not only the exposure to the formaldehyde-prone FEMA units, but from also the exposure to all of the toxins that resulted from hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Bio-detoxification need not be expensive or financially unattainable. Long Beach, Mississippi resident, Marta Knowlton, and her husband have made detoxification and health restoration affordable by choosing to make their health a priority, thus forgoing less important purchases. Ms. Knowlton recommends, “People have to be proactive and develop a total commitment to their health.” Affordable detoxification was also a focus of Kurt and Lee Ann Billings, authors of MOLD: The War Within, after their family’s exposure to mold and chemicals post-Katrina. In MOLD: The War Within, the Billings detail the detoxification plan that not only restored, but surpassed, their family’s prehurricane health.

Bio-detoxification need not require thousands and thousands of dollars; however it does require personal commitment and needs to be guided and monitored by a medical professional. Beware of any quick, fix-everyone type of solutions as bio-detoxification and health restoration is very individual and can be affected by many factors such as genetics, health history, exposure history, etc.

Regina Santella, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, recommends in MOLD: The War Within to minimize future toxic exposures. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), controlling the sources of toxic exposures and ventilation is most important. However, when this is not possible, which may be the situation for many trailer occupants in the coming months during the housing transition, the following steps can be taken to help minimize exposures in their new housing environments:

Use an air purification unit in each room, if possible. If not, create a “clean” sleeping room in which all family members can sleep. The AAFA recommends that consumers not use “ozone generator” machines as they can produce 10 times more than the acceptable level of ozone, which is 50 parts per billion. An air purification system that contains a true HEPA filter will capture at least 99.97% of all microscopic particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger from the air that passes through it. Units under $100 that meet these requirements are readily available in stores. Although more expensive units may provide more air exchanges in a room per hour and may filter out a higher level of contaminants, people working with limited financial resources likely will notice an initial reduction in air particulates by using one of the lesser expensive models. However, in order to maintain the same initial level of improved air quality, replacement of pre-filters and the HEPA filters is necessary. The more contaminated the indoor air is with airborne particulates, the more frequently filters will need to be replaced. Please note that with filtration-type air purification units, one unit is only effective for one room. One filtration-type unit will not service a three-room apartment.
Use a high quality furnace filter if relocated to an apartment or a house.
Use vent filters in furnace/AC registers to help trap air contaminants, such as dirt, dust, smoke particles, and pollen-size particles, etc. Vent filters are readily available at stores.
Medical doctors at Louisiana State University (LSU) state, “The bedroom is the most important room in which to implement environmental control measures, such as encasing mattresses and pillows in vinyl or semi-permeable covers.” This may be especially necessary in a hotel environment or if used mattresses are provided.
Use a natural roach-killer bait to eliminate cockroaches. According to scientists at LSU, the residue of dust mites and cockroaches commonly trigger asthma attacks. A common household remedy is one-half part baking soda mixed with one-half part sugar placed in cut-down paper cups left in strategic places where cockroaches frequent. (For more natural pest control methods, please see
www.healthy-living-today.net/article_safe_insecticides.htm.) When renting in a multi-unit complex, effective roach treatment can be difficult unless the entire complex is treated at the same time. Otherwise, roaches will simply run from one unit to the next. Be health proactive and discuss natural pest control methods with the landlord or hotel management.
Medical doctors at LSU recommend avoiding exposure to active and passive tobacco smoke.
Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor microscopic particles. Vacuum often. Use a face mask when vacuuming and dusting if these types of airborne contaminants are irritating. A company, founded by Harvard Professor Michael Porter, called “I Can Breathe” makes latex free, washable face masks, which are available via the internet (www.icanbreathe.com).
Use latex-free gloves when washing dishes and using cleaning products. Latex-free Nyplex hypo-allergenic gloves are available at most Wal-Marts and Ace Hardware stores.
Use of personal care products (shampoos, lotions, makeup, etc.) and cleaning products made of natural ingredients to reduce reoccurring exposure to chemicals. Health food stores are a good place to start looking for products that contain fewer chemicals than conventional products. Chemical sensitivities, however, are very individual so people must read labels and learn what works for them through trial and error.
In the coming warmer months, use safe insect repellant instead of DEET, which is a neurotoxic substance. According to Allan Lieberman, MD, director of COEM, it can cause “. . . severe damage to your nervous system especially if combined with other pesticide and chemical exposures.” Dr. Lieberman has available on his website (www.coem.com) information on several natural insect repellants.

Remember, health deterioration didn’t happen in just one day, nor will health restoration. If you can afford to make only one positive change, make the one that most likely would have the greatest health impact. Feel positive about the improvement that you were able to make—not fret over the ones yet to be made. In MOLD: The War Within, Dr. Santella cautions people “. . . not to go into a panic mode, especially about bad things that it is too late to do anything about, and from then forward, just do the best they can in terms of a healthy lifestyle.” A positive mindset is important, as she explains that stress has also been shown to have an impact on cancer and disease risk in general. By making healthy choices—one at a time—we can make possible our long-term goals of detoxification and full health restoration.

The authors give permission for this article to be reprinted in its entirety.

Authors of MOLD: The War Within


	.	HEALTH TIPS FOR FORMALDEHYDE VICTIMS What People Can Do to Help Themselves February 28, 2008 – As tens of thousands of families are moved from FEMA trailers, mobile homes, and park models over the next several months to hotels and apartments, some of the accommodations are bound to be less than optimal. In order to protect health from further degradation and begin the process of health restoration, soon-to-be former FEMA unit residents will need to be proactive and vigilant regarding their health. For over two-and-a half years, many of the hurricane survivors housed in formaldehyde-laden FEMA units have experienced adverse health effects such as watery eyes, runny nose, burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches and fatigue. According to FEMA, “People with eye, skin, respiratory, or allergic conditions, and those with asthma are more likely to feel the effects of formaldehyde. Children and the elderly may be more sensitive as well.” The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) defines an adverse health effect as a “. . . change in body function or cell structure that might lead to disease or health problems.” What this means is that the “adverse health effects” experienced by occupants of FEMA-provided housing units that off-gassed elevated levels of formaldehyde might lead to disease or health problems. FEMA acknowledges, “More serious health problems may be caused by extended exposure, including a small but increased risk of some forms of cancer.” Thus, the extended exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde that occupants of FEMA housing units suffered requires that exposed people take appropriate preventative measures to reduce the risk of these more serious formaldehyde-induced diseases and health problems. Amidst CDC’s pledge to set up a registry of occupants of the FEMA housing units and assurance to monitor health outcomes experienced by people who were exposed to elevated levels of formaldehyde, some of these victims may feel that the government is going to “take care of them.” However, unless the CDC, FEMA, or some other arm of the government set up avenues of detoxification for FEMA unit occupants who have or currently are experiencing adverse health effects, future derailment of health may occur. According to Timothy Callaghan, MD, DC, at the Center for Occupational & Environmental Medicine (COEM), the most effective means of prevention of disease and health problems from toxic exposures is bio-detoxification. Bio-detoxification is a process in which harmful substances such as poisons or toxins that have been stored in the body are removed. Dr. Callaghan explains in the book, MOLD: The War Within, how vitamins and minerals can be used to bind toxins for a safer and more comfortable elimination from the body. We must all take personal responsibility for our health and seek out methods to effectively detoxify our own bodies through the use of organic foods, whole foods (non-processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, lean meats, etc.), vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other health supplements to undo the harmful effects from not only the exposure to the formaldehyde-prone FEMA units, but from also the exposure to all of the toxins that resulted from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Bio-detoxification need not be expensive or financially unattainable. Long Beach, Mississippi resident, Marta Knowlton, and her husband have made detoxification and health restoration affordable by choosing to make their health a priority, thus forgoing less important purchases. Ms. Knowlton recommends, “People have to be proactive and develop a total commitment to their health.” Affordable detoxification was also a focus of Kurt and Lee Ann Billings, authors of MOLD: The War Within, after their family’s exposure to mold and chemicals post-Katrina. In MOLD: The War Within, the Billings detail the detoxification plan that not only restored, but surpassed, their family’s prehurricane health. Bio-detoxification need not require thousands and thousands of dollars; however it does require personal commitment and needs to be guided and monitored by a medical professional. Beware of any quick, fix-everyone type of solutions as bio-detoxification and health restoration is very individual and can be affected by many factors such as genetics, health history, exposure history, etc. Regina Santella, PhD, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, recommends in MOLD: The War Within to minimize future toxic exposures. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), controlling the sources of toxic exposures and ventilation is most important. However, when this is not possible, which may be the situation for many trailer occupants in the coming months during the housing transition, the following steps can be taken to help minimize exposures in their new housing environments: Use an air purification unit in each room, if possible. If not, create a “clean” sleeping room in which all family members can sleep. The AAFA recommends that consumers not use “ozone generator” machines as they can produce 10 times more than the acceptable level of ozone, which is 50 parts per billion. An air purification system that contains a true HEPA filter will capture at least 99.97% of all microscopic particles 0.3 microns in diameter or larger from the air that passes through it. Units under $100 that meet these requirements are readily available in stores. Although more expensive units may provide more air exchanges in a room per hour and may filter out a higher level of contaminants, people working with limited financial resources likely will notice an initial reduction in air particulates by using one of the lesser expensive models. However, in order to maintain the same initial level of improved air quality, replacement of pre-filters and the HEPA filters is necessary. The more contaminated the indoor air is with airborne particulates, the more frequently filters will need to be replaced. Please note that with filtration-type air purification units, one unit is only effective for one room. One filtration-type unit will not service a three-room apartment. Use a high quality furnace filter if relocated to an apartment or a house. Use vent filters in furnace/AC registers to help trap air contaminants, such as dirt, dust, smoke particles, and pollen-size particles, etc. Vent filters are readily available at stores. Medical doctors at Louisiana State University (LSU) state, “The bedroom is the most important room in which to implement environmental control measures, such as encasing mattresses and pillows in vinyl or semi-permeable covers.” This may be especially necessary in a hotel environment or if used mattresses are provided. Use a natural roach-killer bait to eliminate cockroaches. According to scientists at LSU, the residue of dust mites and cockroaches commonly trigger asthma attacks. A common household remedy is one-half part baking soda mixed with one-half part sugar placed in cut-down paper cups left in strategic places where cockroaches frequent. (For more natural pest control methods, please see www.healthy-living-today.net/article_safe_insecticides.htm.) When renting in a multi-unit complex, effective roach treatment can be difficult unless the entire complex is treated at the same time. Otherwise, roaches will simply run from one unit to the next. Be health proactive and discuss natural pest control methods with the landlord or hotel management. Medical doctors at LSU recommend avoiding exposure to active and passive tobacco smoke. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce indoor microscopic particles. Vacuum often. Use a face mask when vacuuming and dusting if these types of airborne contaminants are irritating. A company, founded by Harvard Professor Michael Porter, called “I Can Breathe” makes latex free, washable face masks, which are available via the internet (www.icanbreathe.com). Use latex-free gloves when washing dishes and using cleaning products. Latex-free Nyplex hypo-allergenic gloves are available at most Wal-Marts and Ace Hardware stores. Use of personal care products (shampoos, lotions, makeup, etc.) and cleaning products made of natural ingredients to reduce reoccurring exposure to chemicals. Health food stores are a good place to start looking for products that contain fewer chemicals than conventional products. Chemical sensitivities, however, are very individual so people must read labels and learn what works for them through trial and error. In the coming warmer months, use safe insect repellant instead of DEET, which is a neurotoxic substance. According to Allan Lieberman, MD, director of COEM, it can cause “. . . severe damage to your nervous system especially if combined with other pesticide and chemical exposures.” Dr. Lieberman has available on his website (www.coem.com) information on several natural insect repellants. Remember, health deterioration didn’t happen in just one day, nor will health restoration. If you can afford to make only one positive change, make the one that most likely would have the greatest health impact. Feel positive about the improvement that you were able to make—not fret over the ones yet to be made. In MOLD: The War Within, Dr. Santella cautions people “. . . not to go into a panic mode, especially about bad things that it is too late to do anything about, and from then forward, just do the best they can in terms of a healthy lifestyle.” A positive mindset is important, as she explains that stress has also been shown to have an impact on cancer and disease risk in general. By making healthy choices—one at a time—we can make possible our long-term goals of detoxification and full health restoration. The authors give permission for this article to be reprinted in its entirety. Copyright © 2008 Lee Ann and Kurt Billings Authors of MOLD: The War Within	.	*Mold: The War Within* Order Today at: Buy It Today at: or order it at: Barnesandnoble.com Amazon.com Home Cover View Book Reviews