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Black Mold Exposure follows Michael Roland Williams, filmmaker, and Karen Noseff, founder and designer of Fortune Denim, struggling to regain their livelihood and well-being after they were unknowingly exposed to high levels of various molds that had infested Karen’s apartment. The entire 264-unit apartment community was evacuated and closed indefinitely. Michael and Karen claim to have developed allergies and sensitivities to virtually everything, causing them difficulty in finding “safe” housing as well as numerous other bizarre problems that have continued over the last five years.

A growing number of people from all ages and walks of life claim mold made them ill while physicians, lawmakers, and medical associations dispute the validity of these claims. Most of the symptoms of those claiming illness from mold can be caused by, and diagnosed as, any number of other illnesses. There are no standardized methods to measure what molds, at what exposure levels, over what period of time, might cause any given person to become ill.

BLACK MOLD EXPOSURE explores the bizarre illnesses associated with exposure to toxic mold and the film participants’ difficult task of regaining their health and lives in an atmosphere of political and social intolerance and disbelief.

BLACK MOLD EXPOSURE is a first-ever look into the lives of those claiming to be ill from mold and the controversial and volatile climate surrounding it.


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Katie, a former resident of the Dallas apartment community in which Michael and Karen lived, did not get ill. However, she says her infant son Sam was on numerous medications while living at the community, and one night while being fed he stopped breathing and was rushed to the emergency room.

Melinda Ballard, who won a record 32 million dollar judgment against Farmer’s Insurance, bulldozed her 10,000 square foot home due to toxic mold growth. Dr. David Straus, a microbiologist from Texas Tech University, says when he entered the home prior to its destruction, he became violently ill with vomiting and hearing loss within half an hour.

Due to health concerns his family believes to be toxic mold related, Colin, a secondary school student, has been unable to return to school. He was unable to return without his lip splitting open and bleeding as well as manifesting other symptoms. He’s been home-schooled for the past two years.

Jonathan moved out of his apartment in order to avoid illness. He’s been homeless and living in his car and a tent for over two years.

Two San Diego elementary schools were destroyed and rebuilt after numerous teachers claimed the buildings were making them ill. The school district denies there was ever a mold problem at the schools.

A limited number of physicians are treating illness from mold exposure, while others believe it’s impossible to become ill from it. Some are writing position papers for medical associations while at the same time being hired by the defense as expert witnesses in mold litigation cases. Laws that have been passed regarding mold are either unfunded or only refer to structural damage and do not address the health issues. Prior to the Hurricane Katrina disaster, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which is the US federal authority on health, had very little information on their website about mold.

 

BLACK MOLD EXPOSURE CAST:

MICHAEL ROLAND, filmmaker, and KAREN NOSEFF, designer and founder of Fortune Denim, ill from mold exposure in Karen's apartment. The apartment community was evacuated and stayed closed for five years.

CONGRESSMAN JOHN CONYERS, JR., Representing Michigan's 14th District.

RORY SCHOLL, narrator, New York based comic.

MELINDA BALLARD, her 10,000 square foot Texas home was bulldozed due to mold infestation that caused her family to become ill. President, Policy Holders of America.

COLIN, secondary-school student, fell ill while at school and is unable to return to school without becoming ill. He now becomes ill in other locations as well.

STEPHEN REDD, M.D., Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

JONATHAN, homeless and has lived outdoors for over 2 years. Became ill in his apartment and now becomes increasing ill when he remains indoors.

SUSAN BRINCHMAN, former teacher that became ill in an elementary school that was later destroyed. Director, The Center for School Mold Help.

HOLLY, a young California teacher who became ill while teaching in school, and is now unable to work due to her medical condition.

SHARON KRAMER, California real estate agent and mold activist.

Dr. DAVID STRAUS, Professor of Microbiology, Texas Tech.
University

Dr. NICHOLAS MONEY, Professor of Microbiology, Miami University,
author Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores.

DEBORAH ORTIZ, California State Senator.

WILLIAM REA, M.D., physician, Environmental Health Center of Dallas.

GEOFF SCOTT, M.D., UK physician, consultant microbiologist at University College London Hospitals.

RITCHIE SHOEMAKER, M.D., Maryland physician, specializes in treating biotoxin illnesses. Has made a number of national television appearances.

SNOOPS, canine mold inspector

and more.