Lesley Burton-Dallas's Blog

First Nations Initiative 501C3 Has Announced Cecil Walker as CEO of Turtle Clan Global

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:36:11 -0700

March 12, 2012 –
First Nations Initiative 501C3 (FNI) has announced Cecil Walker as CEO of Turtle Clan Global (TCG)

Mr. Cecil Walker has been appointed as CEO of Turtle Clan Global by First Nations Initiative 501c3. Both companies, located on Kahnawake (pronounced [GahnaˈWaːGe] Mohawk Reservation in Quebec, have additional offices in the United States.

Cecil Walker: Established Operational Excellence

“Mr. Walker is skilled at translating conceptual models into specific strategies; financing, then planning & executing multi-faceted design and construction campaigns.” said Lesley Burton-Dallas, Founder FNI and TCG. “Mr. Walker has a proven ability for establishing operational excellence within culturally diverse environments worldwide.”

Mr. Walker owns CW Construction, Inc., a Prairie Band Potawatomi corporation located in United States that provides: Program Management, Project Management, Construction Management Services, Owner’s Representation Services, General Construction Services and High-Rise Construction Services Worldwide. CW Construction, Inc.’s market includes hospitality (resorts/hotels), casinos, theme parks, airports, schools, universities, railroads, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), disaster recovery and FEMA to name a few.

About First Nations Initiative and Turtle Clan Global

First Nations Initiative (FNI) provides training and assistance to its First Nations members worldwide, with a focus on sustainable housing manufacturing, organic hydroponic food and alternative energy systems.

Turtle Clan Global (TCG), is a subsidiary of FNI that provides environmental consulting/training/testing/remediation, emergency management, disaster recovery, strategic advice, and advanced Green building systems and products.

EKO ROK...A Truly Green, Non-Toxic Alternative to Portland Cement...

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:04:47 -0800

A true Renaissance is occurring in the Green construction material industries!!

A Green, Alternative to Portland cement...

Turtle Clan Global's EKO ROK is a non-toxic, high strength, liquid ceramic bonding system that produces significantly superior quality concretes and concrete repair, coatings, radiation shielding, thin-sets, grouting materials, wall panels, sips, building blocks, flooring, counter tops, tile, and the list of eco-friendly product adaptations goes on and on.

Our 'cold-fired', liquid ceramic materials provide superior quality, eco-friendly mineral/metal bonding systems that transcend the definition of concrete.

Our water-activated, high performance ceramic concrete / coating materials can be poured, sprayed, trowled and slurried, forming a rock hard matrix within minutes, with working times adjustable from a few minutes to 30 mins.

They strongly self-bond (eliminating "cold joint” problems), achieve 5000 psi in 3-hours, 7000 psi in 24-hours and 10/12,000 psi in 28 days, bond strongly to and do not corrode metal, naturtally bond cellulose (wood, plant fiber, bamboo, hemp, kenaf, etc.), resist mold/moss, withstand temperatures up to 2500 C, can be applied in hot, cold and wet weather, and most importantly can be conveniently produced and applied using conventional concrete application technologies.

As our products do not contain any toxic ingredients whatseoever, including fly ash, there are no environmental and/or regulatory concrete run off, clean up problems.

Radon Gas in U.S. Classrooms

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 05:22:09 -0800

Radon Gas in U.S. Classrooms

Health officials warn that thousands of the nation's classrooms are filled with high levels of radioactive radon gas. Chronic exposure could lead to lung cancer, but many school districts aren't doing anything about it.

By Jaimie Dalessio,

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 29, 2012 — Imagine your child is smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day at school. Inhaling radon, even at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s action level, the level at which it recommends schools take action to mitigate radon exposure, yields just about the same result as that half-pack-a-day habit. That’s what radon expert Bill Field told the Today show in a new investigative report.

NBC correspondent Jeff Rosen explored radon gas exposure — a big — and invisible — problem facing schools across the country:

Exposure to high levels of radioactive radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the EPA, which links radon to more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. In addition to lung cancer, a recent study published in the European Respiratory Journal linked radon to death from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“Of all the environmental exposures you get, this is the one that causes the most deaths,” Field told the Today show.

But the even bigger problem is that school districts aren’t testing their buildings radon levels.

A nationwide survey of radon levels in schools found that nearly one in five has at least one classroom with a short-term radon level above the EPA action level (4 picoCuries per liter), according to the EPA. They round that out to about 70,000 classrooms.

Despite the numbers, the NBC news team noticed a trend when asking schools across the country, specifically ones in radon “hot zones,” if they were interested in free radon testing. They’re not. Out of 60 schools contacted, 40 declined or failed to respond.

There’s no federal regulation requiring radon testing in schools. Many states also require it. According to Rosen’s report, only five states currently mandate radon testing in schools.

Making matters worse, funding for EPA’s radon program is being cut, eliminating money to help schools perform such tests. “Although EPA and the federal government are facing difficult budget challenges, EPA will continue the fight against radon exposure,” the agency said in a statement. “EPA strongly recommends that both homes and schools are tested for radon, and that action is taken when high levels are found.”

Because radon exposure doesn't cause immediate symptoms, you may not realize you've been exposed to dangerous levels until you develop symptoms like coughing and wheezing or are diagnosed with lung cancer or another lung condition. When it comes to radon exposure, prevention is key.

Would you want your son or daughter’s school tested for radon? Has it been? Sound off in the comments section.

Mold Allergies and Asthma

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:45:41 -0800

Mold Allergies and Asthma

Mold. It grows on bathroom walls, it makes basements smell bad, and it ruins perfectly good loaves of bread. And if you're allergic to it, there's a good chance that mold will add to your misery.

The spores from common molds function much like the pollen from ragweed. If you inhale the spores, you could get a case of allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever -- an unpleasant combination of runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, itching, congestion and coughing. And if you have asthma, the spores may trigger attacks. More than 80 types of mold have been associated with lung, nose, and throat problems, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI). (What's causing your allergies? Take this test and find out.)

It's possible that mold may even lead to the development of asthma. Until recently, there was no strong evidence that mold could cause asthma, and there's still no medical consensus that it does. But a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives in 2005 found that children who grew up in homes with a mold odor had more than a 100 percent chance of developing asthma in the following six years. (How bad is your asthma? Get personalized recommendations to manage it better.)

Fortunately, only about 25 percent of people with allergies are allergic to mold, according to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). The organization estimates that 10 percent of Americans are allergic to mold, and for about half of them, the allergy may result in an actual illness. The good news is that you can reduce your exposure to mold with a few simple steps.

What is Mold, and Where Does It Grow?
Mold is a type of fungus, a diverse kingdom that also includes mushrooms and yeasts. Unlike plants, molds and other fungi feed on organic material, whether it's a rotting tree or a carpet in your basement, by breaking them down and absorbing their nutrients. (Learn about other common environmental allergens.)

Mold thrives in warm, moist environments. The air can be full of it in warm summer months, often causing seasonal cases of hay fever. In the South, where it's warm and humid enough for mold to live all year long, allergies to outdoor molds can be a constant nuisance.

Molds can live indoors, too. They've even been found in subfreezing temperatures: The only thing they need is oxygen, something to feed on, and moisture. A damp basement is the classic hotspot. Mold can also thrive on carpets in other moist places, such as basements, closets, and bathrooms. Other potential moldy places include tubs, shower stalls, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage cans, mattresses, and upholstered furniture.

How Do I Know If I Have a Mold Allergy?
Your doctor can give you a test to see if you're sensitive to mold, but the test isn't exactly foolproof. For one thing, doctors don't have samples for every common type of mold. (Molds can be surprisingly hard to grow in a lab). In most cases, however, you can find out with reasonable certainty if you have anything to fear from mold.

How are Mold Allergies Treated?
The best treatment for mold allergies is avoiding mold in the first place. But if you live in a place where mold is unavoidable, your doctor can offer additional help. You may need an antihistamine medication to control your symptoms. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a series of allergy shots to help reduce your sensitivity to mold.

What Can I Do to Get Rid of Mold?
Even if you aren't sensitive to mold, you don't want it to take over your house. Not only is it unattractive, but it can start to smell if left unchecked. If you happen to see a patch of mold growing in your bathroom or anywhere else in your house, you can quickly kill it with a dilute bleach solution or any other product that is specifically intended to treat mold or mildew.(Does your home also have these common household pollutants?)

There are also extra steps you can take to keep mold under control. Wash your bathroom once a month with a diluted bleach solution or another mold-killing cleaner, whether you see any mold or not. Cut down moisture in the bathroom by turning on an exhaust fan and opening a window after a shower. If you live in a humid climate, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to keep the humidity at no more than 50 percent. A recent ACAAI report also suggests sealing all leaks to prevent water accumulation, using a sump pump in basements to avoid flooding; and using an exhaust fan to ventilate the kitchen while cooking.

To prevent mold from taking hold, your kitchen and bathroom should be well ventilated. If possible, get rid of carpets in your basement or bathrooms. If a carpet or upholstery gets soaked, have it removed or replaced immediately.

By Chris Woolston, M.S.

References
Portnoy JM et al. Health effects of indoor fungi. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. March 2005. 94: 313-319.

American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Mold allergy a bigger concern than toxic mold. March 18, 2005.

Jaakkola JJ et al. Home dampness and molds, parental atopy, and asthma in childhood: A six-year population based cohort study. March 2005. 113(3): 357-361.

National Jewish Medical and Research Center. Mold Allergy. March 2009.

The University of Texas School of Public Health. Fungus Among Us. 6/28/01.

The Cleveland Clinic. Allergy overview.

Medical College of Wisconsin. Mold Allergies. 03/17/05.

BioEd Online. The Kingdom Fungi. Introduction to Organisms.

The American Industrial Hygene Association. The Facts About Mold.

Is A KILLER LURKING in your attic...?

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:19:16 -0800

Here is a small segment of a fascinating article by Andrew Schneider Senior Public Health Correspondent...

Americans living in millions of homes will soon crawl into their attics to collect their holiday decorations.

But with those colorful lights and ornaments could come invisible and deadly asbestos fibers that decades from now may destroy or end the lives of some of the celebrants.

For years the government has known that the attics and walls of as many as 35 million homes and businesses are insulated with Zonolite, which contains lethal asbestos-tainted vermiculite.

Some medical authorities believe that people are still dying because of it.

More than 400 deaths have been attributed to exposure to vermiculite in the community in which it was mined, and a litany of solid scientific studies has shown that it can kill.

Yet the government has steadfastly refused even to issue widespread warnings to the public about its dangers.

The tale of this confirmed killer includes political intrigue, White House intervention, industry meddling and the failure of three Environmental Protection Agency administrators to act on their promises

When asked what they've done to alert the public, EPA officials repeatedly point to the vermiculite page on the agency's website,

...which even many inside the agency say is inadequate. W. R. Grace & Co., who produced the vermiculite ore used in the insulation, has continued to insist that the insulation is safe and presents no health risk to homeowners.

Zonolite insulation hasn't been sold for years, but experts fear its dangers may be more acute today than ever. They worry about the spread of asbestos contamination in aging homes containing this insulation. And they fear that government-funded plans to weatherize millions of homes will increase the likelihood of exposure among installers and residents.

While the threat exists all year, every year until the Zonolite is removed, experts like Miller believe the potential for exposure to the asbestos is greatest during the holidays.

"There are millions, likely tens of millions of homes in the United States probably contaminated with this [lethal] material. The inventories show it was pretty much distributed from coast to coast, most heavily across the tier of Northern states -- New England, the upper Midwest and the Northwest -- and in all likelihood, it's still there," toxicologist Weis said.

Agency statisticians geographically plotted sales of Libby vermiculite and showed it went into homes at least as far south as Jacksonville, Fla., and deep into the northern portions of the Canadian provinces. Sales were highest from Grace's national network of processing plants.

The threat may be even more pressing today because the potential for hazard is increasing as the homes containing this insulation age.

"They're being renovated. New wiring is being put in as the aging wiring becomes unsafe. Internet wiring and cabling is being installed in these attics, as well as exhaust fans and various type of winterization," said Weis, who is now senior toxicologist with the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.

"All of this activity -- even the most gentle action -- disturbs the asbestos, endangering not only the workers but spreading it though the homes," he added.

But even if the attics are well sealed off from the rest of the house, the EPA and its outside asbestos consultants have found asbestos-contaminated vermiculite dust seeping through wall switches, ceiling-light fixtures and fans and sometimes through the dried-out joint tape in ceilings and walls.

"If I had Zonolite in my house I would want to know it, and if I knew it, I would do everything I could to get it out of there," said Paul Peronard, who headed the EPA's cleanup of Libby.

Some additional links of interest:

Part 1: Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Insulation
Madison Square Garden Case Illustrates Paranoia
What to Do If You Have Zonolite Insulation
Part 2: Cancer Patient's Home a 'Living Laboratory' for Deadly Fibers
Part 3: 'In Libby, There Was No Maybe' About Dangers
Part 4: Asbestos Dangers Known Centuries Ago, but Battle Continues

IS MOLD THE NEW ASBESTOS???

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 09:25:59 -0700

Just came across this very informative article about MOLD REMEDIATION LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION, and while it's dated 2003, everything it brings up holds fast to this day.

The only point I disagree with is:

"3. There are no specific tests doctors can use to test for mold exposure"

Yes there are.

At least an allergist who knows what he's doing can.

Once you have a MOLD TEST performed and you receive the quantitative as well as qualitative data, you can take results to an Allergist, I only recommend one and his name is John Santilli in Bridgeport Connecticut.

He can then perform a mold screen of the blood to help show correlation to possible exposures.

This is a VERY long article but one worthy to keep for reference and particularly useful for my Realtor community and clients going through a 'MOLD NIGHTMARE"

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

MOLD REMEDIATION LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION

By: Paul Frisman, Associate Analyst

September 16, 2003

SUMMARY

The Connecticut General Assembly passed legislation in 2003 that addresses the issue of mold and other potential health hazards affecting indoor air quality, but only in school buildings (PA 03-220, attached). Among other things, the act requires, that starting January 1, 2008, local school boards periodically evaluate school buildings built, extended, renovated or replaced after January 1, 2003, for potential exposure to microbiological airborne particles, including mold. The act makes school boards responsible for maintaining their facilities, requires operation of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment according to prevailing standards and allows school board to create indoor air quality committees to increase awareness of indoor air quality.

The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) reports that six other states (California, Montana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas) have enacted mold legislation. Another 38 bills were not enacted or were pending in 12 other states this summer (see attached lists).

This legislation focuses primarily on (1) gathering information about mold and its hazards; (2) establishing exposure standards; (3) regulating mold inspectors and remediation specialists; and (4) requiring Realtors, landlords, and homeowners to disclose the presence of mold when selling property. We have attached summaries of this legislation compiled by NCSL and the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) (Legislation - Mold Bills).

On the federal level, U. S. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) has introduced "The Toxic Mold and Safety and Protection Act of 2003" (H. R. 1268). It would direct the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control to study the health effects of indoor mold growth, direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish inspection requirements for existing housing and construction standards for new housing, authorize EPA grants to remove mold in public buildings, create a toxic mold insurance program, and provide Medicaid coverage to mold victims unable to secure adequate health care. A more complete summary of Conyers' bill is online at Bill Summary & Status. The full text can be found at http: //thomas. loc. gov/cgi-bin/query/C?c108: . /temp/~c108wNADkv

We could not find any laws specifically referring to mold remediation. However, plaintiffs may sue for damages resulting from exposure to mold under several legal theories, such as negligence and breach of contract.

Law journal articles estimate that there were about 10,000 mold cases nationwide in 2002, with the number expected to increase, particularly in states where the climate and construction of air-tight buildings are conducive to mold growth, such as Texas, California, and Florida. Claims were based on such grounds as personal injury, construction defects, bad faith, negligence, and failure to disclose. The largest verdict was apparently $ 32 million in the Texas case of Ballard v. Fire Insurance Exchange. (An appeals court later reduced that verdict to about $ 4 million in actual damages. )

BACKGROUND-WHAT IS MOLD?

Stephen C. Redd, chief of the Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch of the National Center for Environmental Health, states that there are an estimated 50,000 to 250,000 species of fungi, which includes mushrooms, mildews, molds, and yeasts. More than 1,000 different kinds of molds have been found in U. S. homes. Some species of mold produce a potentially toxic substance called mycotoxins, and these have tended to be the focus of mold litigation. Mold grows in moist, warm, places on such nutrients as wood, paper or other cellulose or carbon-based material. Although older buildings are more likely to have leaks that contribute to mold growth, newer buildings often are susceptible because their energy-efficient and air tight structure traps moisture and contains material conducive to mold growth, such as sheetrock.

Health Hazards

Although mold has been linked to allergic reactions, exacerbation of asthma, and other respiratory complaints, there is less certainty about some of the claimed links between mold and serious illness. According to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, "current scientific evidence does not support the proposition that human health has been adversely affected by inhaled mycotoxins in home, school or office environments" (Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment, October 27, 2002).

Redd has stated that respiratory infections have been found in people with compromised immune systems and some farm and industrial workers regularly exposed to mold and that outbreaks of respiratory ailments have been reported in office buildings with mold-contaminated humidifiers and ventilation systems. But Redd said it is not known whether airborne mold causes such claimed health effects as pulmonary hemorrhage, memory loss or lethargy. He said people allergic to mold, or with chronic respiratory disease or suppressed immune systems (including people receiving chemotherapy, organ transplant patients, AIDS patients and people with uncontrolled diabetes) are more susceptible to fungal infections. The Centers for Disease Control began a five-year evaluation of work-related asthma and mold exposure in 1999. Redd said preliminary results show significant relationships between reports of work-related respiratory disease and water and mold damage in two studies.

Attorneys Cameron Kerry and Deborah Johnson write in "The Growing Problem of Mold," in the September 2002 issue of Metropolitan Corporate Counsel that while there are "strongly suggestive case reports and animal studies," there are not many comprehensive studies of the dangers of mold. The authors write that (1) there is some association between the presence of mold in homes and a number of respiratory symptoms, particularly among sensitive individuals, but that the symptoms may also be associated with other factors; (2) the relationship between levels of exposure and illness is uncertain; and (3) the burden of mold-related illness on the general population is unclear.

Acceptable Mold Levels

There are no accepted standards for indoor mold sampling or for analyzing and interpreting the data in terms of its effect on human health. Redd states that sampling difficulties and differing individual sensitivities make setting standards and guidelines for indoor mold exposure levels "difficult and [perhaps] not...practical. " But Redd agrees with EPA that it is best to correct indoor mold contamination to prevent adverse health effects. (Testimony before the subcommittees on Oversight and Investigations and Housing and Community Opportunity, U. S. House of Representatives, July 18, 2002).

STATE MOLD LAWS

California's law, the Toxic Mold Protection Act of 2001(California Health and Safety Code, § 26100 et seq. ) directs the state department of health services to determine the feasibility of adopting permissible exposure limits for indoor mold and develop standards for assessing the health threat it poses. It requires landlords and sellers of residential and commercial property to disclose in writing the presence or prior existence of mold. The disclosure requirements take effect after the state adopts standards and develops guidelines concerning toxic mold exposure limits and remediation.

The Montana law requires sellers of property, landlords and others to disclose the presence of mold if they know of such a problem. They may do so on at least one document executed before or at the time an offer is made to buy, rent or lease habitable property (HB 536).

The New Jersey resolution urges the state to develop ways to help residents identify a particular mold and develop strategies to address it. The resolution urges the commissioners of health and senior services and of community affairs to investigate the mold's health effects and ways of removing it (SR 77).

Oklahoma created a 28-member task force on mold and mold remediation and required it to report its findings to state legislative leaders by February 2, 2004 (HCR 1011).

Tennessee requires the state education commissioner to establish guidelines for mold abatement in public schools, and creates a mold abatement task force (HB 891).

Texas requires the state health department to license mold assessors and remediators, and to establish and enforce minimum performance standards and work practices for conducting mold assessments and mold remediation (HB 329).

MOLD LITIGATION

Law journals estimate about 10,000 mold cases nationwide in 2002, with more expected. Many of the cases were filed in warm weather states. Gordon Stewart, president of the Insurance Information Institute, testified before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on July 18, 2002, that mold claims had reached "crisis proportions" in Texas and were a serious problem in California, Florida, Arizona and Nevada.

Defendants and Theories of Liability

Claimants are suing a variety of defendants under several theories of liability. The author of an April 2003 article in the Pepperdine Law Review entitled "Mold Is Gold: But Will It Be The Next Asbestos?"states that the most common claims are negligence in investigating or correcting leaks and mold growth, construction defects, bad faith, and failure to disclose mold's presence. The most common defendants are landlords (failure to ensure property is fit for human habitation); builders and contractors (for violating a construction contract or an implied warranty that the structure is designed in a reasonably workmanlike manner); realtors and property owners (for failing to reveal the existence of mold); and insurance companies (for failing to adequately respond to mold claims).

Because there are so many cases, each with a unique fact pattern, it is hard to discern a trend in how courts are handling them. Below are some of the cases reported in "Litigation Soars on the Menace of Mold Spores" (The Legal Intelligencer, August 25, 2003). (Case names are provided where known. )

Admissibility of Expert Testimony in Personal Injury Claims

A key factor in these personal injury claims is the admissibility of expert medical evidence on the effects of mold exposure to health.

The lack of medical certainty about mold health risks has caused several courts to refuse to admit testimony from plaintiffs' expert medical witnesses. According to the National Law Journal, trial courts in Delaware, New York, Texas and a federal court in Arkansas have excluded expert testimony linking mold to various ailments, but the Delaware Supreme Court, and courts in Florida and Nebraska have allowed such testimony. (It should be noted, however that the Ballard jury awarded the plaintiff $ 32 million in damages even though the court in that case excluded such evidence. )

IS MOLD THE NEW ASBESTOS?

The difficulty in proving causation between mold and illness is one of the factors that distinguish mold claims from asbestos claims, according to the Pepperdine Law Review. Additional distinguishing factors are that:

1. there is no "signature disease" linked to mold, such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, connected to asbestos exposure;

2. mold injuries are less severe than those related to asbestos, which can kill;

3. there are no specific tests doctors can use to test for mold exposure;

4. symptoms associated with mold occur only in its presence, and symptoms generally disappeared when exposure ends, unlike asbestos;

5. there are no federal guidelines for permissible mold exposure limits;

6. there are no "deep pockets" product manufacturers, as there were for asbestos; and

7. insurers often exclude mold coverage from insurance policies.

The law review article concludes that these and other factors will prevent mold litigation, at least as far as personal injury claims, from reaching the level of asbestos litigation. Furthermore, the author writes, insurers are actively seeking to limit their potential liability for mold damages, which should further limit the size of mold litigation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There is an abundance of information about mold and mold litigation on the Internet. Some sites that may be useful are the EPA site, Indoor Air - Mold Resources, the Centers for Disease Control, Mold - National Center for Environmental Health, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, ACOEM - Evidence Based Statements, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, Chamber Calls Mold Litigation A Growing Problem-Papers Conclude There's No Scientific Evidence To Support Lawsuits, the NAMIC site, MoldUpdate. com, and any number of plaintiffs' attorneys sites, such as TOXIC MOLD - TOXIC MOLD LITIGATION,LAWYER,ATTORNEY - TOXIC MOLD SYMPTOMS!

One should bear in mind that some of these sites offer a particular point of view concerning the hazards of mold.

Thanks To Our Thermal Imaging Investigation...

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 20:35:52 -0700

For the past 8 years, my companyTurtle Clan Environment Testing Inc which is located in Connecticut and New York and proudly serves the tri state area,has been conducting environmental assessments using lot's of state of the art equipment such as our Thermal Imaging Equipment,

Thanks to our Thermal Imaging Camera, we were able to find a hole this small in a huge commercial space without having to tear out any walls! This tiny hole had been leaking water unnoticed until there was a horrible mold event that had been brought about by this unnoticed water behind the walls...

For years this had been going on and it only takes 24-48 hours for the mold which is already there naturally, to colonize making a lovely moldy garden patch right where you don't want it...

Plus, everyone in this building was getting really sick and no one knew why. They went to their doctors armed with numbers from our test and found that there were correlations to exposures and mold found in clients blood stream...

Once building was remediated, everything and everyone went back to normal!

Thanks to our Thermal Imaging Camera and Thermal Imaging Investigations!!

Extremely useful during environmental investigations of large industrial size buildings and other commercial spaces..

Cholesterol is a fake!

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 08:16:02 -0700

My holistic practitioner has some interesting news...thought you might agree!

He says that Cholesterol problems and medication are the biggest fake perpetrated on mankind...that there is no such thing as good cholesterol/bad cholesterol....

IT'S ALL GOOD!!! And necessary!

The PROBLEM is with Fluoride, Chlorine and Trans-fat that literally sandblasts the walls of our arteries making the plaque of the cholesterol stick...

Kind of like when you lay tile down on a textured surface it will adhere better...

So fascinating, eh?

He also said the medication prescribed for cholesterol makes you have several other symptoms requiring additional meds!!!

What a racket!

When is it a BAD idea to test for Radon?

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 21:32:06 -0700

If you read my blogs, you'll see that I have done a lot of posts on the subject of Radon, since my company Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc. is certified by the National Radon safety Board.

http://www.nrsb.org/

I wanted to make sure that everyone who reads this understands when it's a bad idea to have your home tested for Radon, especially in when EPA suggest yearly testing.

The only time it's a bad idea to test for Radon is during barometric activity such as storms when the Radon is actually sucked up to the surface through cracks and fissures in the substrate...

Remember, yearly testing by certified professionals and NOT during storm activity. Check these links for further information and check out map to see what YOUR levels are...

http://www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html

And don't worry, even with high numbers, it's an easy fix ...but always use professionals and ask for recommendations...we recommend Connecticut Basement Systems and have had very good feedback from our clients...an easy fix and costs approx $1-1,200 to have radon remediation system installed...

Green Collar Jobs...and dreams coming true

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:50:28 -0700

Wanted to share in this post an incredible time in my life...

My lifelong dream and purpose is finally coming to fruition in a few weeks if everything continues to go as well as it has been.

We are finalizing funding of sustainable manufacturing project in both Canada and US that would employ 300 Aboriginal and Native Americans on tribal reservations in it's first phase.

We will be saving trees and replacing plastic with our first two products that will revolutionize the building market...

Imaging a sustainable home that gets insulating factor of over R-40 for wall, R-60 for ceilings!!

Here is the latest article that came out in Indian Country Today if you'd like to read more...

http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/Green-collar-work-99848819.html

Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.: Center for Green Building

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:09:25 -0700

As anyone who reads my blogs will quickly find out...I am REALLLY into sustainable building.

Even if you're one of those who think going GREEN is a big gimmick, being a better steward of the environment just makes sense!

My company,Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc. is dedicated to providing GREEN, LEED certified building products that are energy efficient to our many forward thinking clients. In fact, our clients often refer to us as "The Center for GREEN Building"!

I work with many LEED accredited architects and engineers that are trying to incorporate LEED certified products into their building design such as the products listed below that we offer our clients.

If you suffer from allergies, you may have taken steps to remove the obvious sources of allergens in your home. But, what about your flooring? The flooring you choose from your home can have a definite impact on your allergy symptoms.

You're probably already aware of the potential for carpeting to harbor allergens such as dust and dust mites. These tiny dust mites that take up residence in your beautiful carpeting can produce up to three hundred eggs during their life time. This means lots more little dust mites to exacerbate your sneezing and runny nose. Fortunately, you do have an alternative. There are various types of hypoallergenic flooring that provide a viable alternative to conventional carpeting for allergy sufferers:

Flooring made from Sustainable Forests, Bamboo and Cork, that are solvent free with zero VOC

With our roots entrenched deeply in the environmental testing industry, it is hard for me to get too excited about carpeting, which I usually refer to as " A Giant petri-dish of yuck!" However, we've found a source for carpeting made form 100% natural raw materials, zero VOC, 100% naturally pigmented and biodegradable that I can safely and confidently recommend to our clients who absolutely positively MUST have carpeting beneath their feet.

We also have a line of Hypoallergenic Bed and Bath Accessories that are 100% Organic with Zero Pesticides and are sustainable, sumptuous and gorgeous.

It wasn't more than a few years back where no one had even heard of GREEN BUILDING!

Agriboard: Sustainable Disaster Relief Shelters That Can Be Shipped All Over The World

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:04:44 -0700

I've been writing about our Green sustainable product Agriboard alot recently since we are finalizing negotiations and funding to manufacture it on our tribal reservation in Canada and the Northeast of United States, I am getting really excited!

Our first phase will employ 154 tribal community members in good paying green collar jobs!

One of the features that makes this sustainable Green LEED certified building productso unique, is it's ability to be stacked onto container ships and assembled like Lego's on site by 8th grade children where ever there is a need for homes that are earthquake-hurricane-tornado-blast-sound proof, fire rated 2.5 hours...that can be designed any way a client wishes.

In fact, Agriboard Industries who we've partnered with to manufacture on Native American communities, has sent many homes and churches to Haiti already!

They are cool homes in hot places, and warm homes in cold places, and made from agricultural waste by-product such as wheat and/or rice straw!

So for less than the coast of tents and trailers, families who survive disasters can live and regroup in beautiful, environmentally friendly, energy efficient homes.... that are pretty!

Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc : GREEN Collar Work in Indian Country

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:00:19 -0700

I began my blog last October talking about several Native American initiatives our company was trying to implement on tribal lands around the world and wanted to share this recent article that came out in Indian Country Today by Jennifer Ashawasegai.

I couldn't be a prouder mom that when I talk about what we're trying to accomplish and coming so close to seeing our dreams beome a reality...We're inches from this now, so please keep your fingers crossed!

Enjoy the article!

Turtle Clan Customized Environmental Services and Technologies

By Jennifer Ashawasegai, Today correspondent

Story Published: Aug 3, 2010

There is some exciting albeit hush-hush initiatives going on with Turtle Clan Environment Testing Inc. these days.

The green company is currently in negotiations with a couple of Native American communities on both sides of the border, in eastern Canada and northeast U.S. One project involves constructing relief shelters from agri-board (a straw based building material) and the other involves manufacturing a wood product to replace plastic.

"We're hoping the manufacturing project will employ 128 to 154 people in the first phase," said Lesley Burton-Dallas, co-founder and co-owner. "These are green collar jobs that are good paying jobs."

The company, developed in 2002, started out as certified environmental inspectors with state-of-the-art industry equipment. The company has had contracts with government, educational institutes, health care buildings and homes to sniff out mold and other contaminants to clean them up. Not only that, the company also has teams on stand-by to clean up meth labs, hazardous and nuclear waste sites as well as crime scenes.

The clean-up of sites involves using nanotechnology with the Ti02 application. Ti02 is a light activated coating to clean up mold, bacteria, air pathogens and odors at the molecular level and it continues to self-clean and deodorize.

The company has been steadily branching out over the past eight years. Burton-Dallas and her founding partners, Dr. Albert J. Snow and his son Matt from Kahnawake, Quebec, Canada have been expanding the company to include larger initiatives like manufacturing relief shelters for tornado or hurricane stricken communities and working to replace plastic with an organic material.

Turtle Clan partners with Native American and First Nation communities to work on initiatives such as those and others because not only do the owners believe in helping clean the environment but they also believe in helping to create green jobs in a sustainable economy.

"We get together with federally recognized tribal communities and we identify what their community needs are. Some tribes want solar energy, alternative energy, some tribes want dairy farms, some want universities. ... there's a host of things the communities want."

After identifying the goals, Burton-Dallas said they help the communities achieve their goals with the help of various Native American companies, "We sponsor the project and work on it with international banks and get the funding on our own and bring the solutions to the communities that we're working with."

Since the two projects are in negotiations, Burton-Dallas said not much can be said about the projects' specifics or locations, but what they do have in common are environmental issues. "It's not surprising that tribal lands are very contaminated with horrifying environmental issues and that's one of our heart issues that we want to help rectify and help find solutions for and help bring the funding to the community and see that the proper job is done."

The company couldn't have expanded without the help of the United Indian Development Association. Burton-Dallas calls George Williams her guardian angel. He is the program manager of UIDA Business Services. She said he has been a great help to the company in obtaining contracts and providing networking opportunities.

It also seems Williams strongly believes in Turtle Clan's philosophy "to make a positive difference in people's lives as well as the health and sustainability of the planet." He said, "I like the company very much. They have an environmental and business focus from a Native American point of view. They have ideas that could be used to increase their personal wealth, but prefer to use money as a tool to accomplish their vision of a better world, both environmentally and economically."

But that's not stopping the little company that can. The dreams are big and the ambitions high. And once the projects under development come to fruition, Burton-Dallas said, "We can go all over the world with this model. That's my dream, that's our dream."

When Having Your Home Tested for Mold: Beware of the MOLD MAFIA and "Recommended Remediator Lists"

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:35:21 -0700

This just happened to a client of ours and I thought it might be a good topic to write about.

Beware of companies working 'too closely' with each other, I call them 'THE MOLD MAFIA', and the recommended remediator lists!

If you have ever spoken to me about getting your home tested for mold, one of the first things I teach my clients is toBEWARE of Mold testing companies that Test AND Remediate!!!

Huge conflicts of interests...like having a home inspector who also owns a roofing company...it's where the monkey business in this industry sometimes unfortunately occurs.

So, now what? Are you on your own to go and interview MORE companies to FIX the mold??

We offer our clients a 'remediation company referral list' of anywhere from 6-12 companies we have delt with and have done our due diligence on to choose from as well as point them in the direction of the IAQA and the IICRC...we've seen their work in the field and know them as people and business men...but have NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM FINANCIALLY...kick backs all that is a huge no-no in my book...but it's done all the time.

However, the lists ARE important and are what inspired this story:

A dear client of ours didn't like our remediators tone of voice ( he happened to be one of the best in the business, but was having cell phone issues and came across as being short..he was just trying to speak quickly!). This caused them to not trust our list and they went searching on their own to find some guys who spray some stuff H-7 ( whatever snake oil that is) all over their house they promised would 'encapsulate' the mold...

Well, they now have a hard encrusted milky substance all over their walls, ceilings, floors...and to make matters worse, no one knows how to clean it up. The company sent over a couple guys with paper towels and seemed confused as to what to do.

All this will end up costing thousands of dollars plus additional unecessary headaches!

This is why the list is important. Just ask some questions and don't be afraid to hurt feelings...use the IAQA and IICRC to hire contractors instead of the phone book...

And simply ask the environmental testing company you hire to test your mold POINT BLANK if they take any 'kick backs' from people they recommend.. and let that help you make your decision on whether or not to use them.

Litchfield County Connecticut: Heaven on earth!

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:34:35 -0700

I've written about my move east from California many times. But I wanted to show everyone how beautiful my little piece of heaven in Litchfield County Connecticut is! I've wanted to live here my entire life! Close to New York, Boston, Jersey and DC where I can get to in just a little bit to attend meetings and such for my environmental testing, sustainable building, construction and manufacturing company, Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.

My corporate offices for Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc are between Kent and Sharon Connecticut in the beautiful Litchfield Hills, Connecticut and the Berkshires of Massachusetts where we help our many clients solve their mold, radon, lead and asbestos issues by testing their homes for mold, chemical VOC's, air pathogens,...from smelly basements, to respiratory problems with family members.

And everyone who lives in New England know how much rain and moisture we get which is why everything is so gorgeous!

Enjoy some pictures of the beautiful little town of Kent Connecticut and have a great week!

One of the most wonderful people in the whole world as well as being one of my top favorite Realtors of all time, Andrea Swiedler from New Milford CT took this shot:

Agriboard: Earthquake-Tornado-Hurricane-Blast-Sound-Mold and Insect Resistant Building Material

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 09:02:06 -0700

Finally after years and years of negotiations...our company, Turtle Clan, is getting ready to set up manufaturing of our sustainable building product on our Tribal reservation in Kawhnawake!!!

Turtle Clan's Compressed Agricultural Fiber Panel (CAFP) otherwise known as a Structurally Insulated Panel System (SIPS), is US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL and Department of Energy and Department of Defense approved, while being one of THE sustainable building material of the future.

Not only is this GREEN, 13 LEEDS CREDITS product a marvelous tool for the design of the structures for many of our projects, it simplifies the structural design and allows the reduction of the number of trades and suppliers on the job.

The plenum space is freed for duct work and electrical/data distribution, which cuts time from the project schedule.

Turtle Clan is a one stop, turnkey firm that delivers a superior structural wall system to your site that is sustainable, insulated, air tight, noise resistant, mold-insect-fire-blast-hurricane-earthquake resistant and made from agricultural by-products.

Plus, it goes up 8x faster than conventional methods which saves our clients money

In high wind load zones and seismic areas the product allows less detailing and calculations to meet the structural demands.

Because of the fire rating of the panels, less material and concerns of fire proofing is eliminated. In the interior fit-out, we are able to wall mount furniture and equipment without the necessity of blocking or plywood.

For our clients, whether a single occupant or a multi-tenant building, the long term energy savings and the sustainable material is a huge benefit in tax credit, LEED certification and the speed to market.

Agricultural fiber panels manufactured from compressed wheat straw that replaces structural steel and reduces overall project cost.
These sustainable panels have several key benefits:

* Installs 8x faster than conventional methods saving clients thousands
* On site within 4 weeks of plans being approved.
* Negative carbon footprint
* Tested safe up to F5 wind conditions - Miami Dade County approved
* Fire rating of 2.5 hours for dramatic insurance savings
* Delivers up to 13 LEEDS points - halfway to USGBC LEEDS accredited status
* Thermal envelope that is 7x tighter than traditional construction
* Mold and Insect Resistant
* F 5 Category Hurricaine and Tornado Proof
* Classifies as Department of Defense Approved Blast Proof Bomb Shelter
* -Earthquake Proof
* No jobsite waste.
* Save thousands on energy bills and insurance costs on the jobs site

Currently the choice for Wells Fargo, Wachovia, Ft. Hood, US Postal Service, Cutting Edge Architects, Builders and many more discerning forward thinking clients wanting to become better stewards of the planet.

Ideal for:
Hotels, Resorts, Military Installations, Banks, Restaurants, Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Schools, Commercial Retail Spaces, High End Housing, Low Income Housing.

From the farmland to your job site, this product feeds and houses people and is the sustainable building material of the future.

Why use anything else?

Blueberry Picking Weekend

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 08:38:09 -0700

Being a transplant from Southern California to New England around 8 years ago, I still haven't gotten used to the beauty of my new surroundings...I live in a little town named Sharon, Connecticut which is where we run our Mold Testing company, Turtle Clan Environment Testing, Inc.

Today on this unbelievably beautiful day and feeling particularly like a little girl again,, I'm putting on some shorts and walking around the corner to Ellsworth Farm and picking some blueberries and raspberries and counting my blessings that I live in one of the most gorgeous places in the world...Litchfield Hills, Connecticut!

I wish all of my AR family a peaceful joyous weekend and...

Luv2uall!

Water in the Basement...No Big Deal? ...or MONEY PIT!!!??

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 07:32:54 -0700

When shopping for homes in this market, there are alot of really great deals to be had...or ARE they MONEY PITS waiting to happen!!!???

Especially if house has been vacant for awhile.

I kind of pride myself for being able to assess a home from the OUTSIDE never taking a step inside...

But when I do get to look around inside, the first thing I check is WHAT GOT WET!!!

One of the biggest things I'm on the watch for is ANY WATER INTRUSION!!! Water in the Basement...or water markings...This is the first sign I look for when thinking about purchasing a home to know if I'm going to get in over my head...

Also be sure to check:

Grade outside of home. Will water be diverted away from home, or directly into basement?

Is shrubbery away from side of home, is there excessive shade on a particular side of the home?Does shade correlate to basement water?

Is there ventilation in bathrooms etc..?

Where are HVAC handlers housed?..attic or basement...check ducts...

Check for roof leaks, pipe bursts, anything that says"wet/damp"...

In the olden days, homeowners would just slap a coat of paint over the telltale signs and let buyer beware.

But now with due diligence and full disclosure, these things are more difficult to hide.

Water in the basement/water marks, are also signs of possible microbial infection...so see that a certified mold contractor that does NOT also perform remediation, does an assessment.

Then if counts are high and need remediation, you get a bid for clean up costs and use that number at closing if home isn't being sold 'as is' to negotiate price down.

Mold Season is Here!: Some helpflul hints....

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 07:31:30 -0700

With all the extra humidity, and with alot of people being away on vacation, it's not suprising that some people return home to a mold nightmare!

Some helpful tips for you...

Keep all basement and vents should be kept closed to keep humidity out of house
Best use some kind of fan or A/C to keep home conditioned to below 50% relative humidity(since mold is just a SYMPTOM of wet-damp)
Try to keep these fans and A/C running so home won't turn into a terrarium!
Turn off washing machines water supply to lessen chance of pipes bursting
Make sure to get HVAC system checked and if necessary, cleaned by a professional ASHRAE or NADCA certified contractor
Keep all shrubbery at least 12 inches away from home
When watering lawn, make certain auto sprinklers don't spray home
Clean gutters regularly and see that they discharge at least 6 feet from foundation

More Energy Saving Products: Harmonic Mitigating Transformers

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 22:39:10 -0700

For all of you seeking solutions to high power bills, check this out...

A series of Harmonic Mitigating Transformers will significantly save money as well as extend the life of electrical equipment by eliminating harmonic disturbance.

They are LEED certifiable and reduce the heat within computers, monitors, servers, A/C loading and all the circuits and transformers that supply them.

They also reduce voltage and current distortion as well as transformer losses.

We have helped hospitals, airports, Casinos, Universities, retail, restaurants, banks save thousands and create more efficient systems.

So definitely check this out if you get a chance!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Lesley

TURTLE CLAN ENVIRONMENT TESTING INC. is comprised of a team of EXPERTS with over 100 years intellectual capital to bring to our clients.

We are A CERTIFIED 3RD PARTY MOLD TESTING COMPANY, MOLD TESTERS, MOLD TESTING WITH OFFICES IN CONNECTICUT and NEW YORK serving the Greater Tri State Area and all of Fairfield County Connecticut, Litchfield County Connecticut, New Haven County Connecticut, Middlesex County Connecticut, Hartford County Connecticut, Westchester County New York , Duchess County New York, Putnam County New York, Orange County New York

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Choose This Protein for a Powerful Mental Boost....

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 06:57:58 -0700

Here are some of Dr. Oz's real age tips of the week for you!

Hope you enjoy!

This Week's Tips

By RealAge

Chicken or fish? It's not just a choice you make at wedding receptions. Your answer could be a ticket to a healthier mind, too.

A recent study suggests that regularly opting for the right kind of protein could mean a significantly lower risk of dementia later in life. And your brain will thank you if you choose finned foods.

The Fin Factor
The study evaluated the health and eating habits of close to 15,000 people age 65 and older from countries around the world, including Peru, China, India, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. And the people who ate fish often -- nearly every day -- were about 20 percent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia compared with the folks who never ate fish. Researchers suspect that the inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids in fish produce the benefit.

(Concerned about mercury in your fish? Here are the kinds of fish you should choose to reduce your intake of this environmental toxin.)

E-Mail Scams: Tracking Programs

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 07:37:00 -0700

Hello to all!

Last month we had to spend $$$ to have a virus removed from our computer. I'm not sure how we got the virus, but I can tell you I felt lost during the time I could not get on my system and we would rather spend our $$$ on other things.

In talking with the people that fixed our computer, they stated there are many ways the virus got through and several are mentioned below. I'm taking the information below seriously, so going forward I am going to try my best not to forward communications such as those mentioned below. I really don't want any of you to go through what we did. During this process I also learned that the best way to remove a "pop up" is to strike the "alt key" and the "F4 key" at the same time. I was told by my security people that a virus can still get in to your system by clicking the "close/cancel" or the "X" options on pop ups.... and yes, I do have pop ups blocked, but there are still some that appear.

By now, I suspect everyone is familiar with snopes.comand/or truthorfiction.com for determining whether information received via email is just that: true/false or fact/fiction. Both are excellent sites and you should learn to USE THEM. And don't be gullible.
Advice from snopes.com VERY IMPORTANT!! 1) Any time you see an email that says "forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends", "sign this petition", or "you'll get bad luck" or "you'll get good luck" or "you'll see something funny on your screen after you send it" or whatever --- it almost always has an email tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and emails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' email addresses to use in SPAM emails or sell to other spammers. Even when you get emails that demand you send the email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus/etc. --- that is email tracking and they are playing on our conscience. These people don't care how they get your email addresses - just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease "how would you feel if that was your child" --- email tracking. Ignore them and don't participate!
2) Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards. All it was and all any of this type of email is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers -- to validate active email accounts for their own profitable purposes.
You can do your Friends and Family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them. You will be providing a service to your friends. And you will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam emails in the future! Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listing regardless how inviting they might sound! Or make you feel guilty if you don't! It's all about getting email addresses and nothing more. You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT! Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later and very possibly a virus attached! Plus, we are helping the spammers get rich! Let's not make it easy for them!

ALSO: Email petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization - I.e., social security, etc. To be acceptable, petitions must have a "signed signature" and full address of the person signing the petition, so this is a waste of time and you are just helping the email trackers cause you serious problems.

.

Hypothyroidism During Menopause

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:07:10 -0700

So GURLS!

It's come down to me writing about Mold AND Menopause!!!WHOOHOO! What a joy-boy am I???

Anyway, I've been learning alot as of late from my Women to Woman OB/GYN group, that I thought maybe some of you who are sharing this time of life with me may benefit...

Maybe a Women-opause Blog in the future???haha

This is the first in a series I thought I'd bring you, so let me know if it rings a bell and if I should contine.

Have a blessed day and love to all my AR family!

Lesley

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

I talk to women daily about hypothyroidism in my practice, and one thing I hear over and over from those who have been diagnosed is, "I thought I was healthy. How did this happen?"

Many women with hypothyroidism are struggling with weight gain, fatigue, poor concentration, hair loss, even depression - and they want answers about how to feel better.

About one in five of the midlife women we see at our practice have abnormal TSH levels. So it isn't just a problem for women who don't pay attention to their health - even Oprah Winfrey, who's extremely health conscious, has talked about her hypothyroid condition.

The fact is, women are often diagnosed with hypothyroidism during perimenopause and menopause, but few conventional practitioners talk about this connection. And even fewer offer solutions beyond synthetic thyroid hormone replacement medications like levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithroid) to bring TSH levels down.
I know women want to support their thyroid health. One way to start is by realizing that hypothyroidism is rarely an isolated condition. There could be several factors leading to your thyroid disturbance, especially during the menopause transition, and these vary from woman to woman.

Genetically Modified Food and it's Implications for Vegetarians, Food Allergies & Intolerances

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:34:28 -0700

This recent story written by the prominent restaurateur Raymond Blanc raises the issue of genetically modified food (GM) and its implications for vegetarians, food allergies & intolerances.

Raymond Blanc's restaurant Le Manoir is very famous and highly professional in all aspects of preparing food but they feel that they have been caught by insufficient GM food labelling.

Le Manoir now set about sourcing cheese that was suitable for vegetarian use and came across a dilemma. Rennet is now produced by several organisms including Aspergillus niger that have had the gene for rennet introduced into them by genetic manipulation.

Quite apart from the debate of whether or not we should be eating GM food and whether or not those foods are appropriate in a high class restaurant that insists on the finest sourced ingredients, this means that we can now have rennet - in some ways an animal protein - produced by micro-organisms that are certainly not animal in origin.

Should a vegetarian accept these proteins as non-animal? They have never been near an animal but the DNA sequence originates in an animal. Perhaps individuals should be able to make that choice themselves? - but here there is a second point. Food that has been produced using a GM product does not have to be labelled GM, so no-one, restaurateur, customer or consumer knows that they are there and thus cannot make that decision for themselves.

There are now many more examples of foods or food constituents being made using Aspergillus. There is some evidence that foods can cause allergic reactions, even in parts of the body remote from the digestive system - in fact there are examples of a food made from a fungus (Quorn) that can cause repiratory problems and include cross reactivity to Aspergillus. This raises the possibility that such foods could adversly effect the allergies of patients suffering from a wide range of allergies, including allergy to Aspergillus e.g. ABPA, sinusitis.

If some foods can contain Aspergillus or other microorganism without our knowledge then perhaps the labeling regulations need to be rethought-out.

Everything you always wanted to know about Aspergillus...

Lesley Burton-Dallas (Turtle Clan Global) — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:20:11 -0700

Although Stachybotrys is the scary mold that captures the headlines, you won't find a six-thousand-page website dedicated to it.

That distinction belongs to another mold, Aspergillus.

Aspergillus, is a common genus of mold known for its practical uses (soy sauce, soft drinks) and serious effects on human health (aspergillosis).

The Aspergillus Website: http://www.aspergillus.org.uk/ is owned and funded in part by the Fungal Research Trust, based in Manchester, UK.

Here are five sections of the website:

History of Aspergillus
371 Mycotoxins and Metabolites of Aspergillus
Blog that is enjoyable to read
Articles Database
Aspergillus: a primer for the novice (learn about the soy sauce and soft drink connection)

If you have more time, I recommend going through the menu of the website. You'll find videos, discussion forums, conference proceedings, links to other online resources, and a free newsletter.

The next time Aspergillus is affecting indoor air quality on one of your real estate transactions you'll be well armed with scientific research and fun facts on the genus of mold named after a brush for sprinkling holy water!