Mold In The Office
Office workers don’t expect their jobs to come with risks, but if they work in a building that has mold growing in it their health is at risk.
Molds are natural and can be found anywhere – both inside and outside. They grow all year long and don’t even need sunlight to thrive. In the United States, there are about 1,000 species of molds. Some molds are helpful to man (for example, penicillin) and some can be harmful.
The mold that grows indoors can be harmful to people’s health and it can also cause damage to buildings, as it eats away at different materials, including wood. There are molds that grow on wood, paper, fabrics, carpet, food and in air conditioning systems, which are all found in most office buildings. Moreover, mold spores (which are their seeds) are easily transferred into buildings, either in the air or by attaching to a person who will bring them indoors and from there they might attach to furniture or walls and in the right condition they will spread. Molds thrive in warm, damp conditions, and these too can be found in many office buildings, in coffee rooms, restrooms, and even in places where there may be undetected leaks from water heaters or the roof.
Health Risks Of Mold In The Office
Mold grows easily and quickly and sometimes it takes a while before it is noticed and can be treated. The problem with mold is that it can pose a health risk for some employees.
Employees that already suffer from allergies are most at risk because some types of common molds can cause the following symptoms:
Allergies – symptoms include sneezing, irritation of the nose, mouth or throat, nasal stuffiness and runny nose, red, itchy or watery eyes. People who already suffer from allergies that are exposed to mold often suffer from asthma-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, breathlessness or coughing.
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis – a rare immune system disorder that affects the lungs. HP occurs in some people after they breathe in certain substances they encounter in the environment. These substances trigger their immune systems, causing short- or long-term inflammation.
Asthma – a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
How To Prevent Mold In Your Office
Your office building should be inspected for leaks, condensation or any places where moisture is retained in the building and make sure that these are dried and do not reoccur because this will cause mold.