You might not be aware of a risk management issue lurking on your premises. Mold flourishes in wet conditions with poor ventilation if there’s organic material present in the environment. These conditions can exist in hidden or little-used areas of a building, such as behind walls, in ventilation systems, on support structures, or in basements, according to loss control specialists.
Mold can lead to costly property damage or serious injury. The New York City Health Department notes that indoor exposure for humans requires that mold or fungus materials be released into the air and inhaled, exposed to the skin, or ingested. Some of the 100,000 mold species give off spores that cause allergies. Certain mold species produce “mycotoxins,” which many health experts believe can lead to asthma, headaches, memory loss, and seizures.
Insurance trade groups have questioned whether there’s a relationship between mold and injuries. However, courts have allowed damage awards in mold-related cases — and defendants and insurers have settled injury claims, driving up insurance premiums.
It makes sense to have the surfaces and air of your premises inspected for potential sources of mold. Government regulators and businesses throughout the nation are following the New York City Health Department’s “Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments.” These standards stress that “the underlying cause of water accumulation must be rectified” or mold growth will recur.
If you have any questions about keeping your workplace free from mold, please feel to give us a call.
