Effects of Mold in the Workplace

One of the biggest setbacks in the workplace is when an employee is absent due to illness. One employee being out of the office is bad enough, but having several out for several days could hinder productivity.

Even worse is when several employees on the workforce are complaining of allergy-like symptoms and are unable to complete their work to their full potential.  For one, this means that productivity is affected and two, that there maybe an underlying issue causing this illness.

If multiple employees are complaining about similar symptoms you could be dealing with environmental issues in the workplace.  One of the most common issue: mold. A high concentration of mold in a workplace can lead to low indoor air quality which directly correlates to employee health.

Mold Basics

In order to find a solution to mold in the workplace, you must first understand what mold is. Mold is the general name given to many naturally occurring types of fungi that can grow both inside and outside.

Since it is such a simple organism, it does not take much for mold to grow, and once it does, it grows fast. Mold is everywhere all the time, but majority of the time it does not pose a problem. In fact, mold can be beneficial to the environment around us. We use mold for medications, aiding in gardening, and even in cheese.

However, mold can also create serious health issues if left in high concentrations. Did you know that mold can cause cancer, almost all sinus infections, and even multiple sclerosis?  If you have moisture and the right temperature, you will probably have a mold issue on your hands.

It is almost impossible to avoid mold growth in large commercial spaces because it can grow practically anywhere where there is moisture.  This includes air ducts, basements, and attics.  Remember: sun is not necessary for mold growth. Just moisture.

In order to prevent large mold outbreaks make sure you have regular HVAC checks to make sure HVAC systems are not leaking.  Additionally, keep an eye out for leaks or indoor spills.

Common Symptoms

While mold might be tricky to clear, it is pretty simple to notice the symptoms.   Regardless, though, if you are unsure whether or not employees have symptoms of allergies or symptoms of mold exposure, encourage your employees to see a healthcare professional. These are the most common symptoms of a mold allergy:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Irritation of skin, eyes, nose, and throat
• Hay-fever type symptoms

Remediation

The last thing you want is for your employees to be sick from mold exposure. Noticing a problem and contacting specialists is the first (and most important) step on your way to remediation.

Professional mold remediation specialists will inspect the contaminated area, then use negative air pressure machines to clean the contaminated air.  After this step, everything is cleansed with a HEPA vacuum and then cleaned with antimicrobials. A clearance test is then performed to ensure that all of the mold has been cleared out of the workplace.

After a visit from a specialist, you can expect healthier employees which will mean a more productive work environment. If you suspect you have mold, be sure to take care of it as soon as possible. The longer you wait to solve the problem, the more of a problem it becomes.

 

 

 

 

AdvantaClean Environmental of Cary/Apex
(919) 297-2715