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R. Paul Roecker knows his mold. A shareholder in the environmental practice group at Greenberg Traurig law offices, Roecker now practices environmental law, which has led to his knowledge of toxic mold. He also practices aviation and insurance law.
Previously, he worked as special assistant to the U.S. attorney for the district of Maine, prosecuting environmental crimes and offenses committed on federal enclaves. He also practiced law as part of the U.S. Naval Judge Advocate General's Corps and was legal adviser for all environmental issues and 12 supervised sites.
Orlando Business Journal talked with Roecker about toxic mold and the problems it can create for Central Florida homeowners and businesses.
Q What is toxic mold, and how much of a concern should it be to people who live in Central Florida?
A Toxic mold, or mold in general, is a naturally occurring plant matter. It grows, or lives, primarily on moisture. There are approximately 40,000 species of mold. Five of them can be toxic to humans and animals.
When they grow in a sufficient quantity, they give off a microscopic spore that you breath in, or ingest. We don't know if it affects every person, but it can cause respiratory and cardiac cases. It can get to the point where you have trouble with breathing, it causes your eyes to water, etc.
Q How many cases of toxic mold have there been in the Central Florida area?
A I can think of maybe a dozen cases involving commercial or industrial properties or buildings, and dozens of cases where I've been involved with residential buildings. At least three dozen, and maybe six or eight tested out to be a case of mold that we're concerned with. If it's a toxic mold, the technical term is you do a mold abatement in the home. If it's non-toxic, you can spray it with bleach and see if it...