Mold is a naturally occurring organism that can be found in many places, including homes and office buildings in San Diego, CA. While mold itself isn’t toxic to humans, it can cause various health problems when its spores are inhaled or ingested. If you suspect your premises may have a mold problem, you should schedule commercial mold damage remediation services immediately.
But why is this so? Why is it so dangerous to work in a building with mold? We’ll be answering that question in this article by listing the top 8 problems a mold infestation can cause. Be especially mindful of these 8 symptoms if you notice any common signs of a mold problem in your premises. Read on to learn more.
Is it safe to work in a building with mold?
Absolutely not. Mold exposure has been linked to chronic respiratory issues, like asthma. Some people may also experience allergic reactions to mold, causing skin irritation or rashes. Finally, mold can ruin furniture and even damage the structural elements of your building.
You need to make sure your office space is safe for all employees by hiring professional mold remediation technicians. This will get rid of the mold, so no one has to work around it anymore. Mold can also be prevented from growing too quickly by controlling indoor humidity. However, this isn’t something every company knows how to do successfully.
When you’re working in a building with mold, these side effects could show up on their own without you knowing what’s causing them at first. So make sure to address any air quality or water leak problems before they can get worse. If you find mold in your workplace, immediately contact a professional commercial mold damage remediation service.
What happens if you work around mold?
When there’s mold in the workplace, there are several symptoms that can be attributed to having been exposed to high levels of it, including:
- Headaches;
- Fatigue/exhaustion;
- Congestion/chest congestion;
- Watery eyes/itchy eyes;
- Skin irritation and rash(es).
If these symptoms don’t go away when you move out of an environment where you’ve been exposed to mold, it is important to see your doctor. Your physician will be able to determine whether there are any toxins present that may have come from being around this type of fungus.
In addition to the above list, it’s important for those who have been around certain types of mold in their work environment not to ignore any strange physical changes they may be experiencing such as:
- Weight loss/gain without dieting/change in appetite;
- Swollen face or eyes;
- Difficulty breathing (shortness of breath) when at rest and increased difficulty breathing with exercise.
If you experience any symptom that does not go away and/or seems unusual after working near molds, then please seek medical attention immediately.
How long do you have to be exposed to mold to get sick?
How quickly mold affects your health depends on your individual allergies or sensitivities to it. If you’re allergic, have any respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma, or have a compromised immune system, you may experience symptoms immediately after you’ve come in contact with mold spores. However, if you’re not sensitive to it and your immune system is strong, symptoms may not appear for a long period of time.
What are the standards for mold exposure?
While there are standards that address mold for different industries, there are no current OSHA mold regulations regarding the concentration of airborne spores and research on the relationship between the exposure and health effects is still ongoing.
However, according to some sources, a normal amount in a room is from 200 to 500 spores, and up to 1500 is considered safe as long as there isn’t any water damage and there are no visible colonies growing.
Can you sue for working around mold?
Employers should provide a safe and protected working environment for their employees, by law. This means that an employee can sue their employer if they fail to do the following:
- Install HVAC systems to properly regulate indoor humidity
- Check the building for any form of dampness
- Have in place an appropriate strategy for recording and responding to any complaints regarding air quality
- Respond to any safety or health concerns that an employee may report
- Create an efficient response plan for the appropriate action
- Verify that the applied action is successful
Luckily, most employers in San Diego, CA, act promptly and hire dependable professionals to secure normal business operations as they carry out their commercial mold damage remediation services.
As for the legal theories regarding mold in the workplace and the adverse health symptoms it may cause, negligence is the most common one. Negligence means that the responsible party, in this case the employer, has failed to act with the degree of care that a reasonable person would apply under the similar or same circumstances. For instance, an employer may be negligent if they didn’t apply reasonable care in addressing the moisture within the building.
Litigation vs settlement
Suing for mold exposure at work typically includes scientific questions regarding wrongful acts related to dangerous chemicals. Therefore, many lawsuits require expert testimony on toxins which can be costly. In this regard, a settlement is usually less expensive, but if you decide to take your case to trial, you may enjoy a larger recovery.
Where can I book a truly in-depth San Diego, CA commercial mold damage remediation services?
Whether your business is located in Hillcrest or at the very heart of San Diego, you can count on Risk Free Serv to meet all your mold, water, smoke, and fire damage remediation needs in a highly precise and diligent manner.
Our emergency hotline is available 24/7, and our expert technicians are equipped with the very finest remediation tools available today. You can count on us to address any problem with maximum care and efficiency. Get in touch with us today.