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INTEROFFICE MEMO #1
| TO: |
CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS GROUP |
| FROM: |
DR. I. M. NOTAQUACK
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY |
| RE: |
MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE CITIZEN FAMILY |
| PRIORITY: |
[URGENT] |
Dear Investigators,
Your excellent research in the fields of chemical and medical research has earned you a formidable reputation. To that end, the management at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) respectfully requests your assistance in evaluating the illnesses of a family in your area. Your task is to research and evaluate some of the principle causes of the homeowners’ ailments.
The case has just recently been brought to our attention. A few months ago, Sally Citizen just couldn’t believe that she was living her dream. Sally and her husband Bob had just completed their new custom-built home in the country. Their two girls, Ima and Ura Citizen, were quite happy in their new dwelling. Each girl finally got her own bedroom and truly enjoyed decorating her personal space. After moving in, the family quickly unpacked their belongings and went about their daily business. The girls went to High Sierra Mountain High School while Officer Bob went off to fight fires every day. Sally was the stay-at-home mom and continued with her duties of being the homemaker.
Sally noticed after a couple weeks had passed that she had a headache and the sniffles. Not thinking too much about it, she took an over-the-counter allergy medication. Two weeks passed and Sally decided she must have the flu. Two weeks after that, her sniffles had progressed into what she thought were full-blown allergies. Knowing that allergies can often cause toothaches (which she was now experiencing), Sally finally decided to see her family physician. He quickly prescribed allergy medication for Sally. The medication did seem to help her feel better for a while. Particularly when she went for her five-mile runs, Sally definitely noticed she could breathe easier.
Three months have now gone by and Sally still has allergies. Her respiratory ailments have progressed into asthma. She still has a pain in her jaw. Sally’s skin rash continues to spread all over her body. Poor Sally seems to be the only one in the family with these symptoms.
Bob, the good husband that he is, recently found an article about the effects of black mold on the human body. When he brought it home to Sally, she immediately took the article to the family physician to ask about the possibility that black mold is causing her symptoms.
Your task today is to perform research of black mold as a potential cause of Sally’s afflictions. Your research team will need to find evidence that supports or disputes the claim, The kinetic molecular theory explains that black mold spores are being spread throughout the home by air molecules and causing Sally's allergic reactions.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to working with you and your team as we work toward the common goal of the health and well-being of the Citizen family.
Sincerely,
Dr. I. M. Notaquack
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