When you imagine the ideal place to work, it isn’t likely that mold makes the list of “must-have”s. Even though mold isn’t something that you’d like to see in your workplace, the reality is that there are countless buildings that have mold hidden within them, and the health risks associated with that are serious.
In today’s blog post, the team at Building Enclosure Specialists is going to talk about a few of the health risks that one could experience when spending extended hours in a building that has mold in it. If you feel that a building you’re in has mold or you’re the manager of a building that you know has mold, we can help. Contact us for more information on what we can do to help you eliminate the mold in your building.
Respiratory Issues
When it comes to exposure to mold, the most harmful means of exposure is through inhalation. With that in mind, respiratory issues are some of the most common health risks that individuals will experience. In fact, a majority of the most severe health risks associated with exposure to mold are tied to your respiratory system. It makes sense that this would be the case, given that time spent in a building with mold means you’re inhaling it. Some of the most common respiratory issues include the following.
Asthma
This is easily the most recognizable breathing issues that people experience in their lifetime, but it’s not so well-known that asthma can happen because of exposure to mold. If you notice that you start to have issues breathing easy or start wheezing, you should take a second to visit your doctor and see if it’s asthma causing these issues.
Respiratory Infections
Mold is, as you may have guessed, not something that you want to inhale. Given that it is a such a serious fungus, it’s not so surprising that it can break down your lungs’ ability to conquer the side effects. In these instances, respiratory infections are a highly likely effect of exposure to mold.
Throat Irritation
Again, inhaling air that has been exposed to mold is never good. This harsh fungus can affect the health of your throat through the inhalation. At first, this may seem like an itch in the throat or even the first signs associated with a cough or cold. As the exposure to mold goes on, the irritation can get worse and leave your throat feeling raw.
Mold Allergies
While mold allergies are not something that happens because of exposure to mold, they are relatively common. The most common signs of mold allergies are extremely similar to those of hayfever. Signs and symptoms include itchy eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, and dryness. While allergies are not extremely harmful, the signs and symptoms can get so much more severe over time, making life unbearable.
What to Do if There is Mold
Mold can truly be a dangerous factor to encounter in the workplace. The health risks that we’ve mentioned above are only a few of the ways that mold can affect your well-being. If you come across mold in your building, it’s crucial that you get it taken care of immediately. The longer that your employees are exposed to mold, the more serious the health risks. When employees spend extended periods of time in a building that has mold, for years on end, the health risks can be as serious as mold in the bloodstream.
Building Enclosure Specialists understand the importance of having a space that is free of mold. Contact us today and we would be happy to provide you with a consultation on getting the mold out of your building.
Contact Building Enclosure Specialists
Exposure to mold can be extremely dangerous and comes with various health risks. If you believe that your building has mold in it, or you’re entirely sure your building has mold, our team can help. Building Enclosure Specialists is dedicated to providing building owners with the quality building envelope needed to ensure moisture doesn’t become an issue. Let our team help tackle any mold that you have encountered in your building and we would be happy to give you a quote on a new building envelope for your building.
Reach out to us today and get started on your project.
