Is it safe to work in an office with black mold?

If you work in an environment that is moist or inside a building that floods, you may have been exposed to black mold. Not all mold is unhealthy, but black mold can cause major health problems. If your place of employment has black mold, you and your co-workers are at risk of getting sick.

Is black mold an OSHA violation?

Currently, there are no federal standards or recommendations, (e.g., OSHA, NIOSH, EPA) for airborne concentrations of mold or mold spores.

What do you do if you have mold in your office?

Alert your human resources department and/or office manager to be aware of any such symptoms. If numerous employees complain, or if employees complain of moldy smells, put the building owner on notice and request an investigation. If you own the building, consider hiring an air quality investigator.

Do professionals have to remove black mold?

Black mold is a serious health hazard. It can wreak havoc on your home and begin to take a toll on your health. While black mold removal sometimes requires professional help, skilled DIY homeowners can learn how to kill black mold and effectively tackle the issue with the right supplies.

How long does it take to get sick from mold exposure?

These symptoms usually first appear 2 to 9 hours after exposure and last for 1 to 3 days. Other affected persons have progressive shortness of breath and cough, as well as weight loss. Work-relatedness may only become apparent over long holidays if symptoms resolve and then recur on return to work.

9 Signs You Have Toxic Mold In Your Home

Do you have to throw everything away with mold?

This is why many toxicologists recommend homeowners treat moldy belongings ASAP. Damaged items should be thrown away without question, and items that are easy to replace or inexpensive (i.e. clothes, food) should be tossed as a precautionary measure. Basically, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Is mold at work making me sick?

Exposure has been associated with symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and sinus irritation. Some of the more common symptoms of mold exposure are nasal congestion, sinus infections, irritated eyes, scratchy throat, fever, headaches, 'smokers' cough, chills, and weight loss.

Can you call OSHA for mold?

If you believe that there is a mold hazard, you have the right to file a complaint with Federal OSHA or, in states with OSHA-approved state plans, the state occupational safety and Page 18 health agency.

Can mold at work make you sick?

Mold Can Make You Sick

You may even experience other symptoms such as nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or sinus irritation. Pay attention to your health and take note of any changes that may have occurred since changing workplaces.

What if my work has black mold?

If your place of employment has black mold, you and your co-workers are at risk of getting sick. If you have symptoms of illness and you believe the cause is black mold, you may consider filing a workers' compensation claim to recoup your lost time at work and any medical expenses you incur.

How do you work around black mold?

Any time you are working in an environment near black mold, wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including a respirator mask, gloves and goggles. The respirator helps reduce airborne exposure and prevent you from breathing in mold spores.

Is black mold a safety issue?

Based on current research, black mold exposure is no more dangerous than any other type of mold exposure. It is impossible to avoid exposure to mold — the spores are almost everywhere around us. In high amounts or in people with allergies, exposure to any mold may cause allergy symptoms.

Is my office making me sick?

If you and your office mates are experiencing unexplained symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and nausea that only occur when you spend time in the workplace, you might be suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS).

How can I tell if my office has mold?

An independent testing company, like RTK Environmental, will conduct indoor air quality testing to determine if mold, VOCs, radon, or other harmful toxins are present in your environment. You may also want to see your physician to rule out any other possible medical conditions.

How can you tell if your office has mold?

Note crucial indicators like condensed liquids on surfaces, leaking pipes, structural damage on ceilings. Also, make sure you check for dark stains or musty smells from air conditioners or vents.

Is black mold considered a biohazard?

Contrary to popular belief, “Black Mold” isn't any more toxic than other molds. All molds are biohazards that can produce toxins and should be removed immediately when found.

What are the symptoms of being exposed to black mold?

Should I move if I have black mold?

Should I Move Out if I Have Black Mold? Ultimately, you should always prioritize your health above all else. If you have black mold in your house that is contained in a small enough area to be sufficiently removed, it's likely that this will solve the issue (although you'll have to keep an eye on it).

What is the difference between black mold and mold?

Both mold and black mold produce health problems upon prolonged exposure. Black mold is a type of mold, which produces a toxin called mycotoxin. This toxin may cause severe health problems than a usual mold. The main difference between mold and black mold is the intensity of health problems caused by each type of mold.

Is a dehumidifier good for mold?

If the humidity in a room increases, mold will start growing in patches on walls, clothes, and more. So, to answer your question, dehumidifiers do NOT kill mold, but they do prevent it by reducing humidity. If you have a mold problem in your home, don't wait. Mold spreads as long as it has a water source.

How do you test air quality in your office?

One of the simplest machines used for indoor air quality testing is a hand-held device that measures the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) in an indoor space. High levels of CO2 are indicative of poor ventilation and the need for more air circulation or high-efficiency air cleaning office plants.

What are the symptoms of sick house syndrome?

Why does my office make me cough?

The culprit isn't mold. It's dust -- the tiny particles of fiber, skin scales, insect parts, pollen, cobwebs and dirt that settle on surfaces everywhere. Indoor air quality is a growing issue. Belt-tightening has reduced custodial staff and budgets.

Should you wear a mask when dealing with black mold?

If there is mold in your home (or you suspect that mold growth has occurred), protect your mouth and nose against breathing in mold by wearing at least a disposable, NIOSH-approved N-95 filtering facepiece respirator (often called an “N-95 respirator” or “N-95 mask”).

Does a N95 mask protect against mold?

An N95 mask protects you from breathing in small particles in the air such as dust and mold. It is designed to filter out at least 95% of the dust and mold in the air.