Tips to Prevent Indoor Mold Growth and Optimizing the Built Environment

Exposure to elevated levels of mold can cause a variety of health concerns. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports mold can cause a stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, wheezing, burning eyes or a skin rash in some people. Asthmatics who are allergic to mold may have severe reactions. Immunocompromised individuals, and people with chronic lung disease, could also be at risk of getting lung infections from some types of mold found indoors.

Many building materials, furnishings and personal belongings will support the growth of mold if enough moisture is present. This could be due to flood damage, elevated humidity levels, condensation, or water leaks. To help prevent indoor mold growth, CDC provides the following tips:

• Control humidity levels
• Promptly fixing leaky roofs, windows and pipes
• Thoroughly clean and dry after flooding
• Ventilate shower, laundry and cooking areas

“Mold can grow or amplify in indoor environments if moisture conditions are uncontrolled which is why it is so important to quickly respond to any water damage,” said Derrick A. Denis, Vice President of Indoor Environmental Quality for Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “If mold growth has occurred, it may be visible and there may be a moldy odor, but it could also be hidden under or behind items like cabinets, carpet, cushions or walls. These are all reasons why a thorough mold investigation should involve an experienced indoor environmental quality professional with a discerning eye who is equipped with state-of-the-art tools, various sampling methods and qualified laboratory analysis.”

Building owners, landlords, renters and homeowners concerned about exposure to mold can turn to CSC for indoor environmental quality (IEQ) assessments conducted by experienced professionals. Their IEQ experts offer testing, monitoring and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to mold and a wide range of other biological and chemical pollutants.

CSC also recently sponsored an educational video that shares the CDC’s tips to prevent indoor mold growth that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/7XthSUBvJ0k

To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, occupational, environmental, health and safety services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.

About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail