So we kind of feel like douchebags for saying that Brittany Murphy was just an anorexic cow that ODed on some prescription meds. The investigation into Brittany Murphy and Simon Monjack’s deaths is now being handled by the Department of Public Health… and it’s all because of mold found in their home. Ergo, they might have been killed by some nasty mold spores.
Law enforcement sources report that the issue of mold in the house came up early during the investigation into Brittany’s death, but it was deemed “not to be a contributing factor.” But when Simon passed away a few months later, the issue came up again. The reason this time for the delay was that Brittany’s mom, Sharon, wouldn’t let the L.A. County Coroner’s Office in to investigate the mold. Now, Sharon has agreed to let Public Health investigators into the home.
Mold could be relevant to Simon and Brittany’s respiratory health. Pneumonia was a cause of death for both of them and hey – Big, Bad Mold is a common cause of moldy pneumonia.
Its called “CLEANING”
As if any of these celebrities know how to clean up after themselves…. They should have just thrown that house away and bought another one!
Man I’d be a real douche if I jumped straight to the filthy living habits idea because mold can be caused by improper or missing vapor barrier within the exterior walls, unknown leak inside a wall or crawlspace, air handling equipment maintenance, etc, etc, etc. Yup I’d be a real douche.
Report just in. Mold did NOT cause death.
Damn It.
“Doctor: No Way Toxic Mold Killed Brittany Murphy, Husband” AOL — by Catherine Donaldson-Evans
AOL and its author are in serious danger of litigation from this article and its consequences. Not only has AOL committed journalistic fraud on a health crisis impacting millions of Americans, but you have deliberately given dangeous medical and remediation advice that will cause injury and possibly morbidity to thousands of trusting readers. You will notice that EVERY case-specific argument is invalid, there are gross scientific facts that are lies or gross misrepresentations in the article, and you actually give remediation advice? Is $$$$$$ a word?
Dr. Len Horovitz should have his medical license suspended for commenting on a case where he knows nothing about the victims or the environment. How can a physician make these case-specific comments in your article with:
1) No allergy studies
2) No blood antibody studies
3) No air samples
4) No qualified inspections of the property
5) No fungal studies in the sinus or lungs
AOL’s “experts” say “the chances that mold could cause pneumonia, particularly a lethal strain, in two young people are highly improbable” ABSURD! You NEED to quote the names of these experts along with their credentials on the subject. We have hundreds of very experienced doctors in the US treating mold victims, and we all know the dozens of bought and paid for physicians who deny mold as a matter of finance. WHO are your experts AOL? NAME THEM.
How then, doctor can you have an opinion?
Next, what about these statements:
“mold is rarely, if ever, deadly” Absolutely false. PROVING mold is the primary cause of death is rate. Mold as a co-factor is an epidemic across the nation, and the doctor knows that.
“There’s probably just as much mold in her shower as there is in yours.” Excuse me? What does mold in shower have to do with chronic long term exposure? Dr. Horovitz, property insurance defense can’t even use that asinine backwards logic any more. How the hell can AOL print such a grossly ignorant statement?
“If they had a mold problem, the environmental inspectors would come in. They wouldn’t go to the hospital over it, and they certainly wouldn’t die over it.” Is this “doctor” implying that the patient should be able to self-diagnose when they are environmentally exposed or have a hidden cause of illness? Tell that to the millions who have died from unnoticed heart conditions, you damn fool. You are actually blaming the victims that they would have gone to a hospital from acute mold exposure? What kind of insane logic is that for a modern doctor. Plus, with a mother like Sharon, even now denying the possibility of mold, do you really think they would have come to the conclusion that mold caused their illness?
“Symptoms of mold exposure are similar to those that accompany asthma and allergies: shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and sinus problems” Good, you’ve covered the allergenic effects. What about the irritant effects? And, what about the toxigenic effects.
“In rare cases, mold can cause a certain type of fungal pneumonia in people with severely compromised immune systems, like those with HIV.” True, fungal infections are rare — (where the fungus is actually growing in the patient). It is most common with sinusitus — which the national institute of health says is practically always mold infection. But, you don’t need fungal infection to have pneumonia, do you? And, pneumonia can be deadly correct doctor? And, when you add immuno-compromise caused by mis-prescribed medications to cover mold symptoms, you have a person who may be weakened to the point approaching HIV.
“Mold does not cause anemia” This is a lie. How can you make such a broad statement that is absolutely false? Mold and mycotoxins can absolutely impact red blood count, and increase white blood cells — and that’s just the beginning of how it can impact bloodwork. How can this doctor lie like this?
Shame on you AOL! But wait, there’s more:
“Mold that is black in color is a common household variety and tends to lurk on painted or wallpapered walls and in carpet, tile, insulation and upholstery, DIYLife reported. “ Excuse me? Again, there are hundreds of thousands of species of mold and many go through a black phase. Are you speaking of stachybotrys or fusarium? Based on the blanket ignorance of your article, I assume you mean the former, but the latter is up to 100 times more deadly. You really don’t have any idea what you are talking about do you AOL?
The L.A. County Health Department is the WORST SOURCE of information on this issue. Ask Betsy P (if she works there) about her qualifications on the subject. She is completely incompetent on the subject and Betsy will not admit you have mold unless she sees it — even if 1000 square feet are concealed behind your walls and your children are dying. I know this personally.
The only statement he got right: “black mold” is vague as it doesn’t identify the specific type” Somewhat true. stachybotrys, for instance, is only black during certain growth phases. Many other species go through a black colored life cycle as well. I would say the only red herring, doctor is this word… but that has nothing scientifically or medically to do with disproving this case — that’s the media’s buzzword and has no relevance scientifically.
“wear a full face mask and get rid of it using a mix of 20 parts warm water, one part detergent and five parts bleach, DIYLife advises.” I AM WARNING DIYLife and AOL that you are 100% accoutable for those individuals who follow this insanely dangerous advice. The WHO, the CDC, the NIH, and OSHA should collectively slam you on the heads… and I pray you are held accountable for the poor souls who become injured by following your glib ignorant advice. But hey, to spice up your imminent lawsuits, DIYLife, why not just tell folks to tear out their asbestos themselves while they are at it?
Last, AOL shot yourself in the foot once and for all with this little factoid: “The Murphy home had been plagued by persistent leaking,” Aha! So there have been water leaks and inspections and even a lawsuit. My guess is that they want to sell this property but do not want to go through the economic hassel of Ed McMahon, who was also a mold victim…. and could not sell his mansion do to bad press.
Shame on you AOL heath. Shame on your ignornace, which can only be explained away as deliberate. You get a worse grade than “F” on this article. And, the millions who believe you can hold you accountabl for their mold damages, because everything you said is a lie that will harm and possibly kill countless readers. Shame on you!
Don’t blame the final bullet in a firing squad execution. Don’t blame the shower, you horse’s ass. Brittany seemed to be a lovely person and a kind spirit. I doubt she would want her mom Sharon to lose her chance to save millions of lives. Right now Sharon is guaranteeing repeat performances of Brittany’s tragedy across the US.
You are awesome.