The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Mold" ...
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Moldy Metropolis: Homeowners Struggle with Leaky Concrete
Poorly built condominiums and the homeowners are now seeing the consequences of the poor construction. The condominiums have severe mold problems, which is a result from using a material called split-free concrete block. The story reveals the lack of building inspection since the blocks should be built without leaks and inspected for leaks. Furthermore, if the homeowners complain to the city, they are held accountable for the code violation.
Tags: masonry; developer; real estate; market; condos; water; housing boom; ordinance; city council
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Betrayed
A former health inspector and environmental health specialist is now permanently disabled because of his exposure to toxic mold at his workplace, the Southern Nevada Health District's Environmental Health Wing, and he's not the only worker affected. Although his employer knew the problem existed (and was serious, as they are the agency that investigates and shuts down mold-infected sites) they fought correcting the situation, refused to re-locate infected workers, and contested their disability claims.
Tags: Mold; Air quality; Southern Nevada Health District; Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies at UNLV; rashes; Keck School of Medicine Environmental Sciences Laboratory at USC; Public Employees Retirement System of Nevada; U.S. Department of Labor Family and Medical Leave Act; Dan Pauluk; Apergillus; Stachybotrys; Yellow Rain; Aflatoxin; Saddam Hussein; Biological Weapons
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Wrongdoing in Wilmer-Hutchins
Using a hidden camera and the unpaid help of a mold remediation expert, reporters at KDFW exposed severe problems with the Wilmer-Hutchins district high school. News cameras also caught the district using illegal immigrants instead of mold remediation specialists to repair building problems. The investigation also lead to the discovery of mismanagement and fraud in the school district's leadership and its financial records. As a result of this report, a state education agency audit followed, along with investigations by the FBI, IRS, U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour division, and the Federal Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Throughout the investigation, district officials denied any wrongdoing, refused to hand over documents, and were eventually charged with tampering with evidence in the federal investigations.
Tags: standardized testing; bonds; mismanagement of funds; Wilmer-Hutchins school district
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"Mold and Fear Seep Into a Department: How a 'sick building' can destroy the trust and morale of professors"
The University of Maryland's language department lost two professors to cancer and saw several more diagnosed with cancer. Others experienced sinus problems. Professors were concerned that a high concentration of mold in their old building was contributing to their health problems. Administration officials and health researchers said there was no evidence to link the cancers with the mold problem.
Tags: mold; moldy; ventilation; workplace safety; university; Jimenez Hall; respiratory illness; cancer; professor
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Locked Out; Broken Homes
Shalhoup reports on how the renovation of eight public housing complexes "drifted off course - barring hundreds of poor families from decent housing and making room for middle-class tenants who pay full rent." The second story shows the fate of the displaced poor families, who received vouchers for reduced rent, and ended up in living in substandard buildings. The "negligence resulted in 50 families falling ill in one Section 8 apartment complex, due to a severe mold infection."
Tags: FOIA; Georgia Open Records Act; building codes; Department of Housing and Urban Development; HUD; city government
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The Trouble with Houses
New homes in the Minneapolis area are deteriorating at an alarming rate. Part of the problem arises because tighter, better insulated houses trap moisture that can rot out walls and studs. The other part is a home building industry that has few safeguards against faulty work.
Tags: housing; fuel conservation; mold; indoor pollution; mildew
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Mold Motel
Investigative reporter Michelle Davidson got a tip from a former Springfield Holiday Inn employee saying that the hotel had a possible mold problem. After examining the hotel first hand, Davidson found mold growing in certain rooms and wall paper falling in others. A number of Holiday Inn employees as well as guests complained of headaches while in the hotel. After filming shots of the hotel, Davidson tipped off the county health department, who determined there was a serious mold problem in the hotel.
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Dirty Donuts
KWCH-TV sheds light on the "sickening conditions" at the production facility of "Country Donut," one of biggest donut and pastry suppliers in the Wichita area. The investigating team obtained a video from inside the facility and talked to former and current employees. As a result of the investigation, the local health department inspected the facility and found mouse droppings, urine and mold on or around the food. The facility was forced to close, and the local convenience stores cancelled their contracts with the company, KWCH reports.
Tags: FOIA; FOI requests; health; safety; hygiene
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Home sick home
KWCH-TV reports on moldy homes in Sedgwick County. Mold poses significant risks to health, and is especially dangerous for children. The story reveals that the number of tenants' complaints about mold has been increasing in recent years, and that landlords have often been reluctant to fix the problems with leaky roofs and wet walls. Even when tenants force landlords to clean up the mold, this is not always done the right way. As a result, microscopic spores remain in the apartments, settle into the furniture or spread throughout the residences from leaky heating and air systems.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; health; children; property; rental units; apartment complexes; building code; city government
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Is Your Office Killing You?
"The EPA calls indoor air quality one of the top five environmental health risks of our time," Business Week reports. Recycled air in office buildings keeps dangerous chemicals from office furniture and machines circulating, and poorly maintained ventilation systems can introduce harmful molds and bacteria. The poor quality of air in "sick buildings" harms workers and bottom lines. Experts only expect the problem to get worse, Business Week reports.