Most molds that we see are outdoors, but when its growing inside your workplace, it can pose a health risk for everyone in the building. In offices where materials such as carpeting or insulation are wet, the conditions are ideal for mold growth.
The mold itself is not dangerous, but it can release toxins into the air. It's important for employees as well as building managers to be aware of leaks or dampness in their work environment so that the proper precautions can be taken and the mold can be eradicated.
You know what mold looks like, but do you know what's causing it? Finding the cause of mold in office buildings is the only way to keep it from coming back. If it's found inside walls due to a burst pipe or in carpeting that has become damp, the only solution is to remove the affected material and disinfect the area. Because there are different types of molds and they can be difficult to identify, all found mold should be treated the same.
If action is taken within the first two days after the leak or dampness has formed, getting rid of the material will prevent mold or mildew from growing.
You may be unaware that there is mold in your workplace unless you see it or smell it since, according to the CDC, "Standards for judging what is and what is not an acceptable or tolerable quantity of mold have not been established," and tests can be expensive and time-consuming. Unfortunately, some of the first signs of mold become apparent through the ill health of the workers in the environment. In nearly 15% of asthmatics, the illness may have been caused or exacerbated by workplace exposure. Other symptoms are similar to those of allergies, including itchy or red eyes, coughing, sneezing, stuffy nose, or sore throat.
