Mold slowly damages building materials and furniture. If it’s not addressed, mold in the workplace can weaken wooden structures like floors and walls by feeding on damp wood, which can lead to serious structural damage.

If you think mold has affected the building’s strength, it’s a good idea to consult a structural engineer or other experts.

Why Mold Grows in Buildings?

Mold needs moisture to grow, so controlling moisture is key to preventing it. Some moisture problems in buildings have been linked to construction changes since the 1970s.

These changes created tightly sealed buildings with less ventilation, which can trap moisture inside.

Other common causes of moisture problems include:

Roof leaks
Floods.
Landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under the building
Appliances that burn fuel but aren’t properly vented
Delayed or poor building maintenance
Improper design or maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can also cause problems. For example, an air conditioner that isn’t powerful enough might fail to control humidity, making it easier for mold to grow.

Signs of Mold

Mold in commercial buildings often grows in hidden spots like inside walls, under floors, or other out-of-sight areas, long before you can actually see it.

A clear sign of hidden mold is a musty smell, which might be faint or strong. If you notice this kind of odor without a visible source, it could mean mold is growing nearby.
Another clue is when people in the same building start feeling sick for no obvious reason. This is called “sick building syndrome,” and it can include symptoms like dizziness, nausea, headaches, or feeling very tired.
Mold and mildew often hide in places where water or moisture collects, such as window sills, HVAC drip pans, or between tiles.
Breakroom fridges or areas with water damage or large spills are also common spots for mold to grow.
Mildew is a type of mold that usually stays on the surface and looks powdery, making it easier to clean. Mold, on the other hand, grows deeper and is harder to get rid of.

How Mold Can Harm Employee Health?

Right now, there are no federal rules or guidelines (like from OSHA, NIOSH, or the EPA) about how much mold in the air is safe.

Scientists are still studying how mold exposure affects health.

However, hiring mold testing services in NJ, for example, can be a wise choice if you live in areas like NJ that are more prone to floods.

Types of Mold and Health Risks

There are many types of mold, and most indoor mold exposure doesn’t usually cause health problems. However, mold in the office can release allergens (substances that cause allergic reactions), which is why it’s important to prevent and remove mold.

Allergic Reactions: Symptoms like a runny nose, red eyes, or hay fever can happen right away or take time to show up.
Skin and Mucosal Infections: Mold can cause localized infections on the skin or in mucus membranes but rarely causes serious infections unless someone has a weak immune system (like those with AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or those on immune-suppressing drugs).
Asthma Attacks: Mold can trigger asthma attacks in people who are allergic to it.
Irritation: Mold at work may irritate the eyes, skin, nose, or throat in some people.

Other Effects

Some molds produce harmful substances called mycotoxins under certain conditions. Experts are still studying their potential health effects, which aren’t covered here.

Safety During Mold Cleanup

Avoid eating, drinking, smoking, or using cosmetics in areas where mold is being cleaned up. This prevents mold and other harmful substances from contaminating food, drinks, or personal products.

Effects on the Workplace

If mold isn’t dealt with, it can make the workplace unhealthy and reduce the amount of work employees do.

Serious health issues caused by mold might mean workers need to take more sick days. Even when they’re at work, symptoms like nausea and dizziness can slow them down or cause them to take more breaks.

Cleaning up mold (remediation) can also temporarily affect productivity because it disrupts the workspace.

Safety guidelines recommend working in areas away from where the mold clean-up is happening. For small to medium mold problems, nearby areas can still be used.

However, for bigger mold issues or major cleanups, workers might need to leave both the affected area and nearby spaces until the cleanup is complete.

How to Prevent Mold In Your Workplace?

Controlling moisture is the key to stopping mold.

If water leaks or spills happen inside, take quick action. Stop the water, clean up, and dry the area within 24-48 hours to prevent mold from growing.

Tips for Preventing Mold:

Fix plumbing and building leaks as soon as possible.
Watch for wet spots or condensation and address the source of moisture immediately.
Dry wet areas as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours.
Prevent condensation by either warming surfaces (through insulation or better air circulation) or reducing humidity. You can reduce humidity by repairing leaks, increasing ventilation with cool, dry air, or using a dehumidifier if the air is warm and humid.
Maintain indoor humidity below 70% (ideally between 25-60%).
Follow local codes to properly vent kitchens and bathrooms.
Schedule regular building and HVAC maintenance, including filter changes.
Keep HVAC drip pans clean and free-flowing.
Vent appliances like dryers to the outside when possible.
Ensure proper drainage around buildings by sloping the ground away from foundations.
Identify and fix areas where leaks have occurred to prevent them from happening again.

Questions to Check for Mold Problems:

Are materials or furniture visibly damaged by moisture?
Have materials been wet for more than 48 hours?
Has the building been recently remodeled, or has its use changed?
Do you notice musty or moldy odors?
Are there ongoing moisture issues in the building?
Has maintenance been delayed or altered?
Are people experiencing health issues they think are linked to mold?

If employees report health concerns, consider consulting a health professional.

To Sum Up

Once water or moisture issues are fixed, removing moldy materials and repairing any damage should be the top priority.

To stop mold from coming back, it’s important to fix the root cause of the water problem.

Preventing black mold in the workplace is best done by maintaining buildings and HVAC systems properly and quickly repairing any water damage.

For larger mold cleanups, clear communication with everyone in the affected area is crucial. The building owner, manager, or employer should notify occupants about the mold problem, explain the cleanup plan, and provide a timeline for when it will be finished.

Holding group meetings before and after the cleanup to share plans and results can help everyone stay informed and involved.

How Mold Affects Workplace Productivity and Employee Health?