Changing seasons are a norm that every living thing has to endure. Cool nights and humid days are approaching and some of us may dread this inevitable change which stirs about several implications that are not desirable. If your workplace is mold-infested, you are in for much more than just the regular sniffles and cold. Learn some of the symptoms which point to the situation that your workplace is currently in.
Health Symptoms
- Headache
- Irritation in the eye, nose, or throat
- Dry cough
- Itchy and dry skin
- Nasal allergies
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Malaise
- Difficulty in focusing
If you are suffering from the abovementioned symptoms, you may have been exposed to certain conditions unknowingly. Let’s find out more about some of them below.
Black Mold, Spores, and Fungi
Mold is one the leading causes of office sickness and it can stir about serious implications on your health. In fact, approximately 80% of office sickness involves mold infestation cases as one of the top causes of various illnesses.
Indoor mold is not just gross, but it is highly unhealthy. Mold can either be an allergen or even toxic and it can thrive in wet environments. It also spreads very easily and can be found at various locations like basements, kitchens, bathrooms, attics, and any other areas with high humidity levels. Mold infestations are also a result of several activities such as water leakage, broken pipes, and other water-related incidences. Mold spores are able to spread throughout an entire office building through the air duct.
The HVAC System
When we travel, we often have to breathe in stale air in air-conditioned buses, airplanes, and other modes of transportation. This situation is not that different from an office environment. As per records shared by the Environmental Protection Agency, the air indoors may be more polluted than the air outdoors up to roughly 100 times. Poor ventilation and inadequate air circulation force workers to inhale toxins, dust, asbestos, mold, pesticides, and so much more on a daily basis. As long as the HVAC is not regularly maintained, this situation will persist.
Carpeting
Carpets are a haven for bacteria and mold spores. Each time someone rolls his/her chair back and forth against the carpet, take a footstep on it, drag their feet across, mold spores as well as bacteria are released into the air. This daily process causes various implications to our health including symptoms like allergies, asthma, difficulty in breathing, and more.
Refrigerators
Offices usually have a pantry that is equipped with a refrigerator where employees can store their lunches and other perishable produce. If the appliance is not regularly maintained, mold can grow and its spores will remain undetected at the sides for days or even months until someone wipes it clean. A hygienic refrigerator will not only prevent bad odors, but it can also help prevent food poisoning when food products that get in contact with mold spores are consumed.