Q. I took your advice and had the bathroom mold tested. Yesterday I received the devastating news that one of the molds discovered in the mold lab analysis was stachybotrys mold. What do I do next? I live in a co-operative housing project in northeastern Ontario. I do not know of any local lawyers, or even if they would take my mold problem seriously. The mold lab has taken it very seriously, and the lab recommended that I see my doctor. If I can avoid any drawn out court battle, that outcome would be good. This Co-op has insurance for such things. I just don’t know what steps need to be taken first. I had contacted the City Building Standards department a few weeks ago, and I was faxed a report to fill out. Should I follow through with that first, or seek legal advice? This Co-op is government run, and I just know that my unit is not alone here in having a mold problem. Most residents are too afraid to complain. [Feb. 24, 2005]
        A. Yes, do file the complaint form with the city building department, especially in view of the government ownership of your co-op project. Do your complaint in great detail and attach your mold lab reports to it. Your official written complaint might get co-op board results and it will strengthen your prospective mold lawsuit. You would be wise to move temporarily to a mold-safe place to live until your co-op apartment has been mold remediated successfully and it tests as being mold-safe by an independent Certified Mold Inspector who was uninvolved in the mold remediation effort. Learn the 25 steps recommended for safe and effective mold remediation to make sure that the Co-Op does the mold remediation thoroughly and completely. The best type of local physicians to seek mold diagnostic help from would be a pulmonary physician [lung specialist], neurologist [for possible brain and central nervous system damage, and an infectious disease specialist. Learn about available medical mold diagnostic and treatment procedures in the in depth ebook Mold Health Guide. Find a local real estate or environmental attorney to represent you in getting the Co-Op to do mold remediation and to pay for your needed medical diagnostic and treatment procedures [if any]. Buy a copy of our ebook Mold Legal Guide for both you and your attorney to read to know about the prosecution of mold health claims against the Co-Op.

      Q. I recently had a condo inspection done and the inspector said the condo was very well built. The one problem is that there is a fiberglass tube and water is leaking through the metal handle where the soap dish is and there is a small water stain the size of a grapefruit on the dining room ceiling below. The inspector said caulking the metal bar area should stop the problem. However, who is to say there is not excessive mold in the walls. If I purchase this condo I was told that the best way to approach t his is to cut through the sheet rock in the dining room ceiling and address the possibility of mold this way. However, is it possible that the problem is<