Social Security Disability Awarded for Mold Toxicity

Lourdes Salvador
In a landmark case, a Social Security judge granted benefits for Kristina Townsend for a mold exposure which resulted in her disability in 2007.

Townsend suffered both physical and cognitive impairments as a result of toxic mold exposure and is no longer able to work in any substantial gainful activity. She was awarded benefits dating back to 2007.

Townsend´s physician testified that she was colonized with mold from a contaminated residence her employer provided while she was away from home on a temporary work assignment. A mycotoxin report confirmed elevated levels of trichothecene in the residence.

Toxic mold exposure resulted in mycotoxiciosis, or toxic mold poisoning. Townsend now suffers form chemical sensitivity, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and other related injuries.


Townsend was cleared of any primary mental health disorders in an assessment. Her symptoms have improved slightly and she is scheduled for a disability review next year.

This article originally appeared in the MCS America News, November 2009 Issue http://mcs-america.org/november2009.pdf. For more articles on this topic, see: MCSA News.

Copyrighted 2009 Lourdes Salvador & MCS America
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Lourdes Salvador

Lourdes Salvador is the founder of MCS America, a science writer, and a social advocate for the greater awareness of environmental contamination, human toxicology, and propagation of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as a disorder of organic biological origin induced by toxic environmental insults.

The mission of MCS America (MCSA) is:

1. To propagate medical, legal, and social recognition for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as a disorder of organic biological origin induced by toxic environmental insults. 

2. To provide support and referral services to the individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), electrosensitivity, Gulf War Syndrome (GWS), autism, and other illnesses of environmental origin.

3. To ensure that environmental toxicants are identified, reduced, regulated, and enforced through lobbying for effective legislation.

MCS America serves as a partner for Environmental Education Week, a partner for the Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE), and a supporter for the American Cancer Society: Campaign for Smokefree Air.

For more information, please visit:
MCS America
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Collaborative on Health and the Environment (CHE)
American Cancer Society: Campaign for Smokefree Air

All articles Copyrighted © 2007 - 2009 MCS America