November 16, 2012 (New Brunswick, NJ)—The first of a series of FREE online seminars to help victims of Hurricane Sandy were held by the NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force (www.NORMIProETF.org) on Friday, November 16, 2012. Lance Eisen, Executive Director of the TASC Force, interviewed a panel of national experts who presented information to help hard-hit Sandy residents more effectively cope with the challenges that resulted from the devastation of one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the Northeastern seaboard.
The panel included Doug Hoffman, Executive Director of the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (www.NORMI.org) who discussed the importance of understanding how to deal with the rebuilding process when professional contractors are hard to find. “NORMI™ has done some of the most comprehensive training in mold remediation techniques in the industry today,” said Hoffman. “Homeowners need to know how to do the work themselves or understand the process well enough to be sure that those who are doing the work are doing it properly to protect themselves and their employees from the harmful effect of mold and bacteria contamination and to be sure that the structure will be safe for the occupants. Our discounted online training, available at www.BestTrainingSchool.com and my book, Mold-Free Construction, available at www.Amazon.com are full of invaluable information to help the homeowner through this rebuilding process.”
Mr. Eisen also interviewed Dr. Doris Rapp, a Board Certified Pediatric Physician who has dedicated her life to helping diagnose allergic reactions. “My book Is This Your Child’s World talks about the unrecognized effects of mold contamination,” said Dr. Rapp. “My website at www.DrRapp.com is full of great information to help people realize that reactions to poor environments are real and can have long-lasting effects on anyone, even if they don’t already have asthma or allergies.”
During the one-hour segment, Lee Ann Billings, co-author of Mold: The War Within, Lessons Learned from Katrina, expressed her concerns about people in groups she calls “hidden high-risk groups”. Ms. Billings said, “All high-risk groups should be careful to protect themselves by either staying out of mold-contaminated environments or by creating a clean sleeping room to lessen the amount of mold and bacteria contaminants in the air they are breathing.” She suggests this can be done very inexpensively with the right kind of air purification technologies. Lee Ann, her husband Kurt, and their children became ill from mold and chemical exposures as a result of Hurricane Katrina and, now recovered, they help as victim’s advocates sharing information that is often difficult to dig out from the overabundance of misinformation that seems to follow these kinds of events.
Mr. Eisen also spoke with Linda Eicher, a certified disaster recovery expert, who shared valuable information about preparedness and what steps should be taken immediately following such a disaster. “Resources are often hard to find,” said Ms. Eicher. “However, there are often people willing to give of their time and money to assist those who have been left homeless and simply need some financial assistance to get them through events like this.”
“The NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force has provided information to the public and will continue to do so through free seminars. NORMIPro Environmental TASC Force members are also available to provide information to the media,” Mr. Eisen states. “It is our goal to help as many people as we can. We feel these free seminars are a first step in the right direction.”
For more information about upcoming events, donation outlets or to schedule a seminar in your area, please contact Lance Eisen at lance@NORMIProETF.org or call 877.751.3100
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