What to Do When Mold is Found in Commercial Buildings

Posted by eegrestoreatlanta on September 26th, 2019

Commonly called fungi, mold is something that can grow indoors as well as outdoors in any season. While there is no record of the exact number of species in mold, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention disclosed that the range of mold species can vary from tens of thousands to more than 300,000. Even though mold is so ubiquitous, you should not ignore when you start noticing signs of mold in commercial buildings. Why? 

 Is mold harmful to the health of people?

The answer is obviously YES. Mold in commercial buildings is extremely harmful as it poses several health hazards. 

 Most people get affected when they are exposed to the mold. They tend to have a sensitivity related to allergies or weakened immune system. This sensitivity to mold can result in various problems such as:

• Nasal congestion
• Skin irritation
• Itchiness in eyes
• Watery eyes
• Difficulty in breathing

As black mold starts spreading in commercial buildings where people work, study or live (possibly housing rentals), their exposure to the spores of mold increase. This increased exposure of mold in commercial buildings can lead to severe reactions, for instance:

• Chronic lung illness
• Chest inflammation
• Upper respiratory tract symptoms

Some molds also release harmful toxins in the air which may lead to potential health hazards even in those people who are not sensitive to mold spores. 

 Prevention of Mold in Commercial Buildings

Owning and maintaining a commercial building comes with the responsibilities and if the condition of that building is putting people’s health at risk, the owner is held responsible. So, it is necessary to stay vigilant when it comes to mold prevention, mold remediation, mold inspection, or mold testing. Controlling moisture is the key step to prevent mold from growing at all. 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the USA suggests tips to prevent mold growth. Some of them are:

• Fix the plumbing which is leaking
• Keep an eye on the building for wet spots and correct them as early as possible
• Perform insulation or increase air circulation to eliminate the problem of condensation. 
• Reduce moisture levels in the air, get leaks repaired and add ventilation
• Ensure that the HVAC drip pans remain clean, flowing properly, and unobstructed.
• To moisture-generating appliances such as dryers, add outdoor venting.
• Maintain the humidity level below 60 percent relative humidity. If possible, keep the goal of 30 to 50 percent. 
• Slope the ground away from the foundation.
• Maintain proper drainage

How to Respond to Mold Problems

One should respond to mold in commercial building instantly to avoid the aggravation of the condition. Here are the key steps:

• Don’t touch the mold directly
• Use a respirator for lung protection
• Turn off HVAC systems to prevent further spread of mold spores
• Hire mold remediation professionals
• Fix the root cause of mold problems with the aid of professionals
• Routinely check to make sure mold problem doesn’t occur again             

Mold Remediation

If you have already spotted mold in your commercial building, hire professionals as soon as possible. Even if you are skilled in keeping your building maintained, performing mold remediation is better left for professionals. Mold remediation is utmost necessary because ignoring mold in your building can lead to severe health issues as mentioned above.

So, take action without any delay and save the occupants of your building from mold health hazards.