Soldier Returns From Iraq To Battle Mold
Family Moves Out Of House, Into Tent
POSTED: 5:23 p.m. EST January 23, 2004
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A soldier stationed in the Persian Gulf said he had to take emergency leave to rescue his loved ones from a growing problem -- mold in their home.
The Dungca family said toxic spores have seeped through their walls and into their lungs, forcing them to move into a tent in their yard. And instead of helping, the Dungcas said their insurance company has made matters worse.
Eliseo and June Dungca said the mold began growing when a broken pipe flooded their home last summer. Now, mold has spread throughout the house, and it made the family sick.
Eliseo Dungca was overseas at the time in the Persian Gulf, so his wife had to deal with the problem.
"The insurance carrier said, 'If you having symptoms ... just go on and get a hotel room and we'll reimburse you for that.' So from that point on, we stayed out of the home," said June Dungca.
The insurance company agreed that the flooding caused the mold and did work to remove it. Although the company said the problem was fixed, June Dungca continued to experience health problems.
"Now, I'm having bloody noses, I'm coughing up blood, and I'm wondering, 'Why is this happening to me?'" she said.
June Dungca again moved out of the house and into a tent in the back yard. Then she called her husband, who was stationed overseas.
"I told my command [about the situation] and they said it was time to go," said Eliseo Dungca, who returned home last month.
"It's extremely hard to work out of a tent because the only thing you are worrying about is staying warm and water. … It's like camping," he said.
The family is out of the tent now, but not yet back in the house.
Though the drywall has been cut out because of the flooding, there is concern that if they rebuild a home in the same spot, the mold may not be completely eradicated and will return to cause future health problems.
The Dungcas hired noted toxicology expert Dr. Richard Lipsey to check the house. He told Channel 4 that there does seem to be a problem.
"All I saw is something when I went in there that made me suspicious. I took the sample and took the moisture test -- and the house needs additional work," Lipsey said.
"We love our home. We built it to live and die in," said June Dungca. "We didn't want it to kill us. … We want this to be over with. It's been a nightmare."
The insurance company told Channel 4 they will look at Lipsey's report. Meanwhile, the family is awaiting results to find out what kind of mold is in the home.
Copyright 2004 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Dungca family said toxic spores have seeped through their walls and into their lungs, forcing them to move into a tent in their yard. And instead of helping, the Dungcas said their insurance company has made matters worse.
Eliseo and June Dungca said the mold began growing when a broken pipe flooded their home last summer. Now, mold has spread throughout the house, and it made the family sick.
Eliseo Dungca was overseas at the time in the Persian Gulf, so his wife had to deal with the problem.
"The insurance carrier said, 'If you having symptoms ... just go on and get a hotel room and we'll reimburse you for that.' So from that point on, we stayed out of the home," said June Dungca.
The insurance company agreed that the flooding caused the mold and did work to remove it. Although the company said the problem was fixed, June Dungca continued to experience health problems.
"Now, I'm having bloody noses, I'm coughing up blood, and I'm wondering, 'Why is this happening to me?'" she said.
June Dungca again moved out of the house and into a tent in the back yard. Then she called her husband, who was stationed overseas.
"I told my command [about the situation] and they said it was time to go," said Eliseo Dungca, who returned home last month.
"It's extremely hard to work out of a tent because the only thing you are worrying about is staying warm and water. … It's like camping," he said.
The family is out of the tent now, but not yet back in the house.
Though the drywall has been cut out because of the flooding, there is concern that if they rebuild a home in the same spot, the mold may not be completely eradicated and will return to cause future health problems.
The Dungcas hired noted toxicology expert Dr. Richard Lipsey to check the house. He told Channel 4 that there does seem to be a problem.
"All I saw is something when I went in there that made me suspicious. I took the sample and took the moisture test -- and the house needs additional work," Lipsey said.
"We love our home. We built it to live and die in," said June Dungca. "We didn't want it to kill us. … We want this to be over with. It's been a nightmare."
The insurance company told Channel 4 they will look at Lipsey's report. Meanwhile, the family is awaiting results to find out what kind of mold is in the home.Copyright 2004 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
