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Baltimore Law Doesn’t Recognize the Scientifically-Proven Connection Between Damaged Buildings and Human Illness

Cynthia Madison

The Maryland Worker’s Compensation Commission frequently faces claims coming from workers that are confronted with building-related illness. However, although specialists have proven on multiple occasions the undeniable connection between air particles such as mold, asbestos, and allergens and workplace illnesses, the employer and insurer don’t admit such explanations as valid.

In the Chesson case, the Circuit Court of Special Appeals ruled that the theory according to which exposure to allergens might cause illness, although scientifically approved by multiple physicians, is not generally accepted in the relevant scientific community. Due to this reason, the workers’ claim for compensation from their employer was dismissed.

This case created a dangerous precedent because although the medical and scientific community accepts the fact that mold and asbestos are having dangerous effects on human health, the case was dismissed, regardless.

This means that, in the future, similar claims will be dismissed as well, as long as in the case of Montgomery Mutual Insurance Co. v. Chesson, the Maryland Court of Special Appeals found “that there is a genuine controversy within the scientific community with regard to whether exposure to water damaged-buildings causes human health effects.”

While the employee cannot force the employer to create the necessary workspace environment to eliminate the risk of building-related illness, there are some ways in which employees can create a healthier living environment in the workplace, but especially in their homes.

Creating a healthier workplace environment

If you are part of those unlucky employees whose employers don’t bother with creating and maintaining a healthy workplace environment, there are still some strategies to reduce the risks associated with the sick building syndrome. Below are described some of those.

  • Eat healthly. Eating healthy is more than about restricting your diet. It’s about eating regular meals at the office and eating healthy foods. Avoid skipping your lunch, even if you have urgent tasks to solve and avoid eating unhealthy foods. Your lunch should consist of lean meats, fish, plenty of vegetables and at least a fruit daily.
  • Always clean your desk. Dust is another dangerous allergen to human health, so make sure that your desk is always clean and dust-free. Even if you have a team of expert cleaners scheduled to take care of this aspect, you should make sure that every two days you carefully clean your desk.
  • Bring some air-filtering plants into your office. There are several plants, proven to have exceptional air-filtering properties. Search for those and bring some into your office. They will make a difference when it comes to allergens and mold, but unfortunately, asbestos will most likely persist in the air. On the other hand, some greenery will certainly boost your mood at the office and make you feel more relaxed.

While these don’t solve the major issues rose by the sick building syndrome, they will make you feel a little bit better. Ideally, your employer should listen to your concerns and address those.

Creating a healthier living environment at home

Sick building syndrome symptoms are especially dangerous to human health, regardless of the age or gender of those living in a damaged home. Some of the most common concerns are mold and mildew, pests, asbestos, and volatile organic compounds. They all act on the respiratory tract and they oftentimes leave severe damage behind.

  • Mold and mildew are guilty of numerous allergies and asthma, toxic syndrome, and so on. Testing is the first step to finding out if your home is infested with mold. If you notice symptoms that have no apparent reason in you or any other family member, you should consider hiring a team that specializes in air testing.
  • Asbestos exposure and human health. You should know that all older houses show high concentrations of asbestos. It has severe effects on human health. It acts on the respiratory system, and if the exposure times are too high, there may appear pulmonary fibrosis or even pulmonary cancer. You notice why eliminating this issue is extremely important. The InchbyInch asbestos inspectors inform us that asbestos particles have no smell and their presence can be identified only by hiring a specialized team. However, in spite of the fact that these are odorless particles, they have negative effects on the entire respiratory tract. Long-term asbestos exposure can lead to pleural effects, laryngeal effects but also immune system effects. The only way to get rid of similar issues is having a team of professionals to assess the state of your home and eliminate any potential source of asbestos.
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature. These are components of cleaning products that we usually have at home, paints, fuel for lawn equipment or pool cleaning products. Instead of using dangerous chemicals around your home in the cleaning process, try switching to organic alternatives. Baking soda and lemon juice or vinegar make a great cleaning mixture. Olive oil can be successfully used to polish any piece of furniture. This way, you eliminate the cause for skin irritations, rashes and respiratory issues.
  • Poor ventilation. A poor indoor ventilation is another major issue in homes around Baltimore. Poor ventilation increases the indoor concentration of all the pollutants described above and increases the risks associated with those. On the other hand, proper ventilation reduces mold and mildew, as well as VOCs. Asbestos will not be eliminated by simply cleaning or improving your ventilation system, as this is a far more severe issue. However, to eliminate the health dangers associated with various allergens and mold, experts recommend taking better care of your ventilation system.

The Maryland court will most likely face similar cases like the Montgomery Mutual Insurance Co. v. Chesson case. For now, the court doesn’t admit that similar allergens and air particles have a negative impact on human health, in spite of the obvious proof. But you can always look forward to creating a healthier living environment at home, as well as in your workplace. Bring specialists for severe issues, bring in some plants and make sure that your space is properly ventilated.