Are you worried about the health risks of mold in your workplace?
Mold damage is not an uncommon occurrence in buildings, and your workplace is no exception. Mold growth is a product of water damage, and the dampness it causes. In offices, water damage is mostly caused by leaky air-conditioners, faulty fire sprinklers, and dirty HVAC ducts that contain mold spores. Mold growth not only jeopardizes the structural integrity of your office, but it also harms the health of the employees. However, we’ll talk about the health hazards of mold in a bit. First of all, let’s take about the signs of mold growth in offices.
Signs of Mold Damage
Allergies are one of the first signs of mold growth in the workplace. Some of the most common allergic reactions include coughing, sneezing, eyesores, and headaches. Another sign of mold growth in your workplace is a strange musty smell, which stems from the presence of mold spores. Chances are that you have experienced problems such as flooding, roof leakage, pipe dripping, and condensation. If such is the case, it is better to hire a mold removal professional for thorough mold remediation.
Common Types of Mold
Mold falls into the category of fungi, which can be found anywhere and everywhere. Before moving towards mold remediation, you must be able to understand the types of mold. The dangerous types of mold are listed below.
- Pathogenic
- Allergenic
- Toxigenic
As the name suggests, allergenic molds result in severe allergic reactions. In the case of pathogenic mold, the people vulnerable are the ones that acutely suffer from some form of disease, illness, and have a weak immune system. The people with a weak immune system are the ones that suffer from HIV, Asthma and autoimmune diseases. Toxigenic mold is the one that leads to bad health conditions, by producing toxic substances.
Health Risks of Mold in the Workplace
As discussed in the beginning, allergic reactions are the most common health issues related to mold. Mold can also affect your respiratory system, as well as your immune system, which results in breathing problems and even asthma. Prolonged exposure to mold can result in runny eyes, congestion, sneezing, throat irritation and coughing.
Some other health conditions caused by mold exposure include fungal infections. These fungal infections specifically target your skin, sinuses, lungs, and digestive tract. Inhaling mold spores can result in hypersensitivity, which results in coughing, sneezing, runny eyes and nose, and sometimes asthma. The hypersensitivity inflicted by mold can also result in swelling, headaches, and fever. If left untreated, these diseases can lead to weight loss, minimized lung function, and fatigue.
These were some of the many health risks of mold damage in your workplace. If you witness some of the most common signs of mold in your office, make sure to have the place thoroughly inspected.
