Indoor Air Quality and
Mold
Every year billions of dollars
are spent addressing indoor air quality (IAQ) problems that are directly linked to
numerous negative physiological effects in people. These health problems include: chronic
headaches, fever, bloody noses, blurred vision, chronic sinusitis, memory loss, chronic
fatigue, asthma, allergic shock, and immune system impairment.
Indoor air pollution became an
issue because in the 1970's rising energy costs lead to the design of "tighter"
buildings and homes, resulting in reduced ventilation rates in occupied buildings. This
means that various indoor air pollutants remain in the building instead of being
circulated out of the building. One of the most serious and potentially dangerous indoor
air pollutants found in occupied buildings is fungi or mold. There are tens of thousands
of identified species of fungi, many of which have been proven to cause allergic reactions
in sensitized individuals. The spores of fungi are always present in the air or on
objects. They lie dormant, waiting for the perfect combination of moisture, appropriate
temperature, and nutrients to occur. Various mold species have been shown to cause
toxigenic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects in people. Some of the molds commonly found
in homes and buildings produce aflatoxins, the most carcinogenic compound known to man.
Once growth begins, it amplifies quickly, digesting its food source (usually dust) on the
surface where it resides. Microbial growth is exponential, and fast response is critical.
Because of the known health hazards associated with mold, building owners, employers and
insurance companies are faced with enormous potential liability. Because high profile
contamination events continue to peak public awareness of the mold issue, organizations
can no longer afford to not quickly address it. A slow response to complaints greatly
increases the risk of lawsuits. It can also increase the final cost of remediation.
Strict remediation protocols
must be followed during all phases of the remediation process, to prevent the spread of
contamination and to protect the health of building occupants and remediation personnel.
Building owners should use only properly trained specialists to remediate mold
contaminated materials.
S. Chatarum
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Stachybotrys
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S. Chatarum
(mature spore) |
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CLARK-TECH follows all state of the art
project protocols, and utilizes only trained personnel during all phases of remediation.
We depend on the latest technology and biological testing before and after remediation.
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