Our first Damn Questions! go to Kevin H. Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the National Apartment Association (“NAA”). NAA is a political action committee located in the DC area. They respresent and lobby on behalf of multi-million dollar property management companies from across the US. Among other functions, these property management companies oversee the leasing and maintenance of multi-tenant housing of thousand of US Citizens.

The Damn Questions! for Mr. Brown are: “Isn’t it insurance fraud to present the purported environmental science of the US Chamber of Commerce to the courts in an effort to bias their decision in favor of an NAA member, while telling the courts that ‘years of intense study have failed to produce any causal connection between exposure to indoor mold and adverse health effects’…and then turn around and warn the NAA members via your blog that NAA is aware ‘mold can cause major health problems and even death. Don’t let it get out of control and affect your company or your residents.’?

So, aptly spoken…are you lying to your members or lying to the courts?”

We have a blog called “Katy’s Exposure – Exposing Environmental Health Threats & Those Responsible for Them”. I think you are aware of this blog, because you were sent a certified letter on April 28, 2010 telling you of its existance and how it relates to you, the NAA and a particular Amicus Curiae brief the NAA submitted in a legal proceeding in Arizona involving new born infant deaths and an apartment building documented to have an atypical amount of mold.

On August 31, 2009, the NAA submitted an Amicus to the Arizona courts that stated:

“In a report entitled, ‘A Scientific View of the Health Effects of Mold’, a panel of scientists, including toxicologists and industrial hygienists stated that years of intense study have failed to produce any causal connection between exposure to indoor mold and adverse health effects.’ U.S. Chamber of Commerce, A Scientific View of the Health Effects of Mold (2003)”

[FYI, purported author for US Chamber who says under oath that he never even read the Chamber’s “Scientific View” even 3 years after it was published, UCLA physician, Andrew Saxon]

But on May 19, 2010, the NAA blogged a warning to its members titled “Mold: Your Silent Enemy”. This blog states:

“Remember, mold can cause major health problems and even death. Don’t let it get out of control and affect your company or your residents.”

So….Isn’t it insurance fraud to present the environmental science of the US Chamber of Commerce to the courts in an effort to bias their decision in favor of an NAA member, while telling the courts “years of intense study have failed to produce any causal connection between exposure to indoor mold and adverse health effects”…and then turn around and warn the NAA members via your blog that NAA is aware “mold can cause major health problems and even death. Don’t let it get out of control and affect your company or your residents.” ?

So, aptly spoken…are you lying to your members or lying to the courts?”

You may send your answer via email to our new blog, “Just Answer The Damn Question!” and we will post your response on your behalf. Link to our email address: DamnQuestions