![handle is hein.journals/envcl28 and id is 1 raw text is:
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS JOURNAL
2016, VOL. 28, NO. 1, 1-17
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0406026.2016.1129266
R Routiedge
Taylor& Francis Group
Courts Uphold Denials of Coverage Even in the Absence of
Mold, Lead, and Asbestos Exclusions
Howard M. Tollina,b, Frank Piccininnia c, and Chang Liud
'SterlingRisk; bEnvironmental Services; cSMPIL Consulting, Ltd.; d Kaufman, Dolowich, & Voluck, LLP
I. Introduction
Mold, lead, and asbestos claims are all commonly litigated environmental hazards.
They represent a serious threat to human health and safety,' and claims are expen-
sive to defend and address once they impact the environment. Insurance carriers
seek to exclude coverage for these three contaminants in comprehensive general
liability (CGL) policies.2 State court decisions arising from insurance coverage
CONTACT Howard M. Tollin 0 htollin@sterlingrisk.com (D SterlingRisk, 135 Crossways Park Dr., Woodbury, NY 11797.
1 Mark J. Mendell et al., Respiratory and Allergic Effects of Dampness, Mold, and Dampness-Related Agents: A Review of
Epidemiologic Evidence, Environmental Health Perspectives 119 (2011): 752,752 (mold [has been] associated consistently
with a wide range of respiratory or allergic health effects, including asthma development and exacerbation, current
and ever diagnosis of asthma, dyspnea, wheeze, cough, respiratory infections, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, eczema, and
upper respiratory tract symptoms); Lisa H Mason et al., Pb Neurotoxicity: Neuropsychological Effects of Lead Toxicity;
Biomed Research International 2014:1,5 (lead exposure has been shown to result in declines in intelligence, memory,
processing speed, comprehension and reading, visuospatial skills, motor skills, and, to a probable lesser extent, exec-
utive skills); Leslie Stayner et al., The Worldwide Pandemic of Asbestos-Related Diseases, Annual Review of Public
Health 34 (2013: 4.1, 4.2 ([asbestos exposure has been] associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma and lung,
laryngeal, and ovarian cancers).
2 See e.g., Bryan Lake, The Empire Strikes Back: The Insurance Industry Battles Toxic Mold; William Mitchell LawReview
33 (2007): 1527,1539 (At least forty state insurance departments have approved mold exclusions or limitations in home-
owners'policies); See also Howard M. Tollin and Boris F. Strogach, Defining 'Pollutant': What You Don't Know Can Hurt
You; Environmental Claims Joumal Environmental Claims Joumal21 (2009): 156,157 159 (discussing the litigation of pol-
lution exclusions); T. McRoy Shelly Ill, Insurance Coverage for Environmental Claims: Current Litigation Issues in the
United States; Environmental Claims Journal26 (2014): 4,4-5 (discussing emerging trends in litigation of environmental
claims).
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