Huntington Beach, CA, March 18th, 2020
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) provides a four page fact sheet that describes health effects that some workers may experience if they are exposed to mold on the job. Molds in Indoor Workplaces lists allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), dermatitis, asthma, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, aspergilloma and other health effects.
When health problems are believed to be caused by exposure to dampness or mold in the workplace, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that building owners and managers should do the following:
- Always respond when occupant health concerns are reported.
- Establish clear procedures for recording and responding to indoor environmental quality (IEQ) complaints to ensure an adequate and timely response.
- Regularly inspect building areas for evidence of dampness; take prompt steps to identify and correct the causes of any dampness problems found.
- Conduct regularly scheduled heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system inspections, and promptly correct any problems.
- Prevent high indoor humidity through the proper design and operation of HVAC systems.
- Dry any porous building materials that have become wet from leaks or flooding within 48 hours.
- Clean and repair or replace any building materials that are moisture-damaged or show evidence of visible mold growth.
- Encourage occupants who have developed persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms while working in the building to see a healthcare provider.
- Follow healthcare provider recommendations for relocation of occupants diagnosed with building-related respiratory diseases.
- Establish an indoor environmental quality team consisting of a coordinator and representatives of the building’s employees, employers and building management who would oversee implementation of an IEQ program.
“Employers are responsible for providing a safe workplace for all of their employees so workers who suspect they have indoor air quality problems should report concerns to their supervisors and/or to those people who are responsible for building maintenance,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “At LA Testing, our facilities in California are also here to help. In addition to providing mold and other IEQ laboratory services, we offer all of the sampling supplies needed, easy-to-use test kits, building inspection tools and air monitoring instruments.”
LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about mold and moisture in the work environment that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/VuBbFTWCXsQ.
To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794. For access to IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.
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