MOLD AND SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

General

MOLD and SICK BUILDING SYNDROME are referenced here as a single topic because in both instances there can be a toxic environment causing serious illness.

Mold is a fungus. There are many thousands of species of fungus or mold, but only a relatively few of these species are harmful to humans. Air motion over mold can cause the release of airborne spores, contaminating airspace and attaching to surrounding surfaces. Individuals can be affected by mold through inhaling or ingesting toxic spores and on occasion by skin contact. The variety of human effects from mold can be very broad, subject to individual sensitivity and the species of mold and the concentration of airborne spores in the location of interest. Ill health effects can range from coughing; eye irritation or headache, to nosebleed, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and, in rare cases, there can be respiratory dysfunction or impaired immune function.

Mold requires three ingredients for growth: food, temperature and water. Cellular fungi or mold can use any organic material for food. Mold can flourish in temperatures ranging from 40 degrees to 100 degrees. Water can be found almost anywhere in nature. Therefore, mold exists almost everywhere in outdoor areas. Buildings are expected to resist water intrusion, but building interiors do not always resist mold.

When there are leaks in the building envelope, water from the exterior will provide the essential ingredient for mold growth. The air in enclosed buildings and in concealed spaces within buildings will contain moisture. This moisture can condense onto surfaces that provide a food source for mold. As an example, consider the condensation of moisture in the air onto the surface of a paper cup containing iced water.

Mold will develop more rapidly in spaces where there is little ventilation. Many species of mold also seem to develop better in darkened areas or away from sunlight.

Sick Building Syndrome is the term used when buildings harbor conditions that cause building occupants to become sick. Research in building workplaces has revealed that 20% - 28% of employees complain of eye, nose and throat irritation and of headaches and fatigue. Further, 25% - 30% of work absences are said to be building-related. Sick Building Syndrome generally stems from one or more of the following causes: contaminated air, geopathic stress and poor ergonomic conditions.

Contaminated air:

Smoke and dust are visible evidence of indoor air pollution. Sources of air contamination that are not so visible include volatile compounds from solvents used for cleaning and maintenance. Most of these pollutants can be detected by odor. Recently manufactured building finishes, furnishings and equipment can also release volatile chemicals into the air. Invisible and odorless gasses can infiltrate into interior spaces from the outside air or from below grade such as Radon gas. Virus, bacteria and mold spores can be collected and distributed throughout a building by its air conditioning system. And finally, the absence of fresh air in buildings can lead to a deprivation of oxygen, so essential to human activity.

Geopathic stress:

Electro-magnetic energy can induce stress within the human body, leading to biological changes and a reduction of resistance to illness. Effects will be different among individuals, subject to their natural resistance. The most frequent public announcements about this danger relate to cellular telephones and television sets. This dangerous energy is also emitted by items of office equipment, such as computers and photocopiers. In addition to internal sources, electro-magnetic energy can be induced into a building from external sources, such as from nearby electric transmission lines or from cellular telephone systems relay transmitters. Even the action of waterways deep below the ground surface can induce this force into a building area, originally giving rise to the term "geopathic."

Poor ergonomic conditions:

Ergonomic conditions are physical and can lead to physical injury. These conditions are generally thought of as associated with production of a work product, such as seating or standing positions and/or repetitive body motions. Poor lighting or glare is degenerative also, as are loud sound and sudden noise.

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