I'm on the Medical Merry-Go-Round

[Gimpy]

What does everyone think about one of these?

http://mold-test-kits-review.toptenreviews.com/davis-all-in-one-mold-test-review.html


Lab fees are included in the price? I'm still digging into this, no pun intended.

It's a place to start. FOTCM can certainly pay for it. With lab results in hand, pronouncing the word "lawyer" at regular intervals, she might get some action.

If it looks like the best, and if it looks like the results are accepted generally, at least to start with, let's do it asap.

From the site that sells the kits...I'm liking the comprehensiveness of this one...https://www.davistestkit.com/mold-test-kits/

The site states "online ordering temporarily closed." But it still has a toll free number on it. Let me give them a call when business hours start up....

 

[Gimpy]

http://www.davistestkit.com/contact-davis-labs/

Not sure if this is the right kit for you?

We are standing by to help you take the guesswork out of Do-It-Yourself testing.Feel free to call Toll Free (877)453-2847 or email us.

What is a good list of questions to ask when ringing these guys up? I don't want to forget anything....


More from their page on what they do:

The Hazards of Toxic and Black Mold

There are over 100,000 species of mold. Although many molds are considered common to the outdoors or "normal" all fungi are considered potentially problematic to human exposure. There are three factors that will determine the relevancy to exposure. The first is the type of fungi, the second is the dosage or measured amount and the third is the immune system of the person exposed. Let our kits help determine what you are being exposed to including the presence of BLACK MOLD. Our reports will always include recommendations along with contact information to address any additional concerns.
Our Kits have the highest Quality and Standards

Our kits are packaged under our own ISO-9001 standards.
Our kits include 1 Laboratory Analysis.
We test for ALL known molds present.
Our kits use scientific standards for Quality Control.
Our kits include the finest material that our own Project Managers use.
We have referral experts for on-site testing, remediation, and legal assistance.
Our reports are written specific to your samples, location and concerns.
Consultations can be arranged 24/7 to meet your schedule.
We can process the laboratory analysis and report the same day.
Our kits allow you to test the air, any surface, dust, and material.
Written directions are included, along with customer support.

Our All in One Mold Test Kit Includes

LABORATORY ANALYSIS
Customer Support
DVD Instructional Video and/or Easy To Use Instructions.
(1) Surface Sample Kits
(1) Swab Kit for Advanced Analysis (Culture)
(1) Air sample Kit for Standard and Advanced Analysis (Culture)
(1) Dust Sample Kit
(1) Bulk or Material Sample Kit
A Chain of Custody Form so we can provide you with specific detailed recommendations pertaining to your sample.
Self Addressed Return Packaging.
Immediate Processing and Shipping.
Complete results SPECIFIC TO YOUR TEST, with recommendations and solutions to solve your problem-NOT generic or template results.

You Get 5 Kits for the Price of 1

*Don't see what you need, Call us NOW, We will assemble a custom kit for you at no additional charge.

Price: $39.99

Online ordering is temporarily closed.
Not sure if this is the right kit for you?

We are standing by to help you take the guesswork out of Do-It-Yourself testing.Feel free to call Toll Free (877)453-2847 or email us.

 

[LQB]

What is a good list of questions to ask when ringing these guys up? I don't want to forget anything....

I guess one thing I would ask is: how do the tests measure the severity of infestation and what is the reliability of this? And can the results be used in a legal context?

 

[Laura]

What is a good list of questions to ask when ringing these guys up? I don't want to forget anything....

I guess one thing I would ask is: how do the tests measure the severity of infestation and what is the reliability of this? And can the results be used in a legal context?

Yeah, definitely can they be used by a lawyer and/or doctor so as to narrow down further medical tests that can be performed.

 

[Guardian]

I would make seeing a "1-800-We sue um" lawyer the TOP priority. He will tell you what tests you need to get, and from where...but I'm guessing it will be a government agency of some kind.

Can you make an appointment with a lawyer Lisa, and get someone to take you?

 

[Gimpy]

Okay. Any other questions before I hit the phones?

What is a good list of questions to ask when ringing these guys up? I don't want to forget anything....

I guess one thing I would ask is: how do the tests measure the severity of infestation and what is the reliability of this? And can the results be used in a legal context?

Yeah, definitely can they be used by a lawyer and/or doctor so as to narrow down further medical tests that can be performed.

From G:
I would make seeing a "1-800-We sue um" lawyer the TOP priority. He will tell you what tests you need to get, and from where...but I'm guessing it will be a government agency of some kind.

Can you make an appointment with a lawyer Lisa, and get someone to take you?

 

[Guardian]

Okay. Any other questions before I hit the phones?

My concern is that any home test would not be admissible because you can't prove where the test was taken in a court of law since the plaintiff has a vested interest in the results. I REALLY think the lawyer should be first, then the testing so we know the results are admissible?

A good lawyer should know a professional to do the testing, who can later be called to testify.

Edited to add: Lisa just sent me some photos and there is NO question that there is mold in her apartment, the only issue is what kind. To my unprofessional eye, it sure looks like Black Mold, but if there is to be any legal action, a mold specialist will have to give their opinion. I can't see any home/self test being useful in court, although it might help get the doctor to order further tests?

 

[Gimpy]

Lisa....what would you prefer here?

Okay. Any other questions before I hit the phones?

My concern is that any home test would not be admissible because you can't prove where the test was taken in a court of law since the plaintiff has a vested interest in the results. I REALLY think the lawyer should be first, then the testing so we know the results are admissible?

A good lawyer should know a professional to do the testing, who can later be called to testify.

Edited to add: Lisa just sent me some photos and there is NO question that there is mold in her apartment, the only issue is what kind. To my unprofessional eye, it sure looks like Black Mold, but if there is to be any legal action, a mold specialist will have to give their opinion. I can't see any home/self test being useful in court, although it might help get the doctor to order further tests?

 

[Gimpy]

Called the number and got a modem noise...may be a fax line?

Will try an email next for fact finding purposes.

 

[Lilou]

Lisa, are you able to to stay somewhere else until you get this sorted out? It does sound like mold is certainly an issue in your basement apartment. I did a search for reynaud's and black mold, and I didn't find any definitive connection, but it does seem like a possibility. That and Lupus.

I am hoping for your sake, that leaving the moldy apartment will make an immediate improvement. It is certainly worth a try if you can get out of there. Let me know how I can help! I am willing.

 

[Lisa Guliani]

Okay, I talked to the nurse this morning and the doctor has agreed to give me a referral to a chiropractor, which I hope will help alot with the hip/pelvic pain I'm experiencing.
Also, I told the nurse I found mold in my apartment and I think iit may be behind the walls, so I want to be tested for mold toxins.
when she calls me back, I will tell her AGAIN that I want to be definitively tested for lupus too. I need to know if I have it or I don't.

I think if I have test results in hand, the landlord and the rental management company will be less inclined to push me around like they've been doing ( the rental management company he hired is a real piece of work and I've already gone a few rounds with those people, since they've already tried to rip me off regarding one of my utilities. I won that battle with them.)

My landlord has known about the flooding situation in this apartment for years. I told him about it the very first time - and every subsequent time it happened - for the last 4 years.
I've been the one that cleaned it up every single time. The wet/dry vac I have to keep in my bathroom all the time is HIS.

No, I have no place to stay other than here, as my friend Becky who lives a few blocks away, lives in an even tinier space than I do. I took some photos of my shower walls and the exposed space above the shower yesterday ( the area that looks like it has insulation stuffed into the open space between the shower wall and the house wall). I emailed those images to Laura and Guardian and Guardian thinks it is black mold on the shower. So I can show a lawyer these photos. I'd like to have the lab results in hand when I speak to the lawyer. Between that and the photos, that should be plenty to get me out of my lease without being sued. These people are very sue-happy when tenants break their leases. I've seen them slap court papers on the front doors of three previous tenants since I've lived here.
But I have this sneaking, growing suspicion that they will not be trying to sue me.

Oh, one more thing regarding radon. There is a good possibility there may be a radon issue here as well. In my former home just 3 miles away, we had to have people come in and install some kind of moniitoring apparatus in our basement because there were high levels of radon present. We discovered this from the house inspection, and the problem was corrected and the levels were monitored daily. We wouldn't have been allowed to live in the house if they hadn't gotten the radon venting to the outside and at a 'safe' level in the basement. I've not seen anyone come intoo this apartment to test for radon since I've lived here, and this doesn't surprise me. If he could get away with it, my landlord would try to get out of ANYTHING. His only interest in this property is to either receive his rent checks or to sell this property. With the right maintenance, this would be a really nice investment property, and probably used to be.

Just last night, my fellow tenant and neighbor was outside complaining that the rental management company has not fixed their clothes dryer properly and she's concerned about safety. I told her about the mold issue and she said that there's water leakage in her cottage too ( across the driveway from me).
The water is coming in at the front door.

So it looks like it's not just me with this situation.


Thank you all for your help VERY MUCH. Will keep you posted.

 

[Gimpy]

Okay, I talked to the nurse this morning and the doctor has agreed to give me a referral to a chiropractor, which I hope will help alot with the hip/pelvic pain I'm experiencing.
Also, I told the nurse I found mold in my apartment and I think iit may be behind the walls, so I want to be tested for mold toxins.
when she calls me back, I will tell her AGAIN that I want to be definitively tested for lupus too. I need to know if I have it or I don't.

I think if I have test results in hand, the landlord and the rental management company will be less inclined to push me around like they've been doing ( the rental management company he hired is a real piece of work and I've already gone a few rounds with those people, since they've already tried to rip me off regarding one of my utilities. I won that battle with them.)

I've emailed the Davis testing people for information on their kits, and looked up another place on amazon that looks just as good, with
a simpler process: http://www.amazon.com/5-Minute-Home-Aspergillus-Penicillium-Stachybotrys/dp/B006JAERJK/ref=cm_rdp_product

The technical support is there, and it will let me ship direct to Lisa, so if it looks good we'll get the ball rolling.

 

[Voyageur]

Might be a idea (even if just a phone consult) to try someone like this as an example:

_http://www.atlenv.com/mold.html

Note: you want a firm with good Industrial Hygienist background looking to these toxins and well versed in sampling and lab testing.

As example, the above states:

Litigation Support and Expert Witness

Our experts have experience in expert reports, depositions and trial appearances in mold and water damage claims. We can perform site visits, sampling, and data interpretation of existing reports. We can render opinions on adequacy of remediation, illness causation, and sources of mold growth. Our expert services are available nationwide.

Testing sampling along these examples:

Spore traps
Particle analysis
Bulk material incubation and analysis for mold and/or bacteria
Air Sampling for biological VOC’s
Analysis for mold mycotoxins
Analysis for bacterial endotoxins
Analysis for microbial VOC’s

 

[Voyageur]

Sent a request to a friend who is an Industrial Hygienist (a very good one) for any advice re mold, also mentioned possible Radon influences. Have asked for any known recommended US contacts in this specific field, knowing also this is not in his country and litigation is a direct possibility. Will see what come back.

 

[Lisa Guliani]

Thank you everybody for all your efforts on my behalf. I really appreciate you.

I got a call this morning from my doctor's nurse and I am going to be referred now to an allergist because of my concerns regarding being tested for mold toxins.
Yay! Another co-pay!

One piece of good news. I was told I do not have lupus, that my previous bloodwork results showed I test negative for that. ( Would have been nice of them to tell me that by now, eh?)

So I'll keep you posted on the mold testing appointment.