COPS FEAR GROW-OP EXPOSURE

It's more than just smoking the stuff that's bad for your health. Canada's
police chiefs are calling on the federal government to launch a study into
the health effects for police officers who bust marijuana grow operations
(MGO).

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police is particularly worried about
toxic mould often found in damp, poorly ventilated illegal grow-ops.

"Large amounts of moisture in MGO confined spaces create and encourage the
growth of many micro-organisms and indoor species of mould," said the
resolution, passed last week at the CACP's annual conference in Vancouver.

Some mould varieties are toxic, and can cause respiratory illnesses. One
veteran of the Edmonton Police Service Green Team said it's something he
and his colleagues worry about.

"It's not as bad as busting meth labs - it's a little more organic," said
Det. Clayton Sach. "But yeah, it's a concern.

"Some of these places are so clean you could eat off the floor. Some of
them are pretty nasty ... you can see the black mould just creeping out of
the drywall.

"One of the places we busted in that Mill Woods sweep back in the spring
was so mouldy, it looked like someone had filled a garden hose with mud and
just sprayed every wall and ceiling."

Police raided three addresses in Mill Woods in late April, seizing roughly
$2 million in plants, cash and bank drafts. One of the homes was condemned
by Capital Health two weeks later, in part due to widespread mould
contamination.

Grow-ops also use large amounts of pesticides and fungicides to keep plants
healthy. Between the mold and the poisons, said Capital Health's medical
officer of health, it's not hard for someone exposed to a grow-op to get
seriously sick.

"If you actually live in the house, these agents can be dangerous," said
Dr. Gerry Predy. "Some people are sensitive to mould, and can end up with
short-term respiratory problems. Long-term exposure to some of these
pesticides can cause cancers, nervous-system disorders and breathing problems."