SitexOrbis UK

Mould in buildings endangers health

23-Feb-2010

This article was published in the most recent edition of "Tomorrow's Cleaning" magazine

Most people think of mould as something that spoils the look of the bathroom or kitchen – a minor problem that can just be painted over. Those people could not be more wrong.

Mould is a serious health risk - a Category One risk to health and a statutory nuisance under the Environmental Protection Act (1990). Not dealing with a statutory nuisance can result in prosecution. What is worse, exposing employees to mould can result in civil court actions and awards of damages.

This is because spores released by moulds can both cause and aggravate asthma, can cause aspergilloma (growth of mould in the lung) and can aggravate other nasal and respiratory problems such as sinusitis and rhinitis. Allergic conditions can be caused by moulds, notably skin irritation. Moulds have been linked to liver disease, infertility and some cancers*.

Yet many commercial buildings have mould somewhere about the place, usually caused by high humidity and modern heating solutions. Reduce the humidity to below 50% and you will greatly reduce the risk of mould and also of illness among those who work in the building.

Surprisingly, a recent e-poll conducted by property security and management experts SitexOrbis in collaboration with Excel Publishing showed that 43.8% of those polled believed that the statement ‘Mould is a Category One health hazard - the same as asbestos’ to be false. Response to that and other questions, put to building and property professionals, revealed that the level of knowledge of the dangers of mould in buildings, and of the risk of prosecution that it brings, to be alarmingly low.

Aside even from that, there is the hard fact that mould reduces property values, and makes it less likely that a new lessee will be found. So why not deal with the problem? Properly. Once and for all.

Unless you eradicate its root system within the structure of the building, mould will always return - painting over mould is never permanent. To eradicate mould, you need experts like the SitexOrbis Mould Eradication Service, which offers a complete long-term solution.

• A four-stage process to treat the affected surface

• A unique vaporisation technique to kill mould spores in the air and on fixtures and fittings

Treating affected surfaces

Stage One is when experienced surveyors diagnose the type of mould (there are many) and the reasons for its presence. Sophisticated instruments measure moisture. Where necessary, laboratory investigation establishes a definite diagnosis.

Stage Two begins with skilled technicians using a bactericidal detergent to eradicate surface mould and prevent more spores escaping. All SitexOrbis technical staff are trained to City and Guilds standards, and all staff on customers’ premises are CRB checked.

“It is crucial that everybody working to eradicate mould fully understands the nature of the problem and the scientific basis for its solution”, explained Mark Cosh European Director of SitexOrbis.

Stage Three is root removal. The mould area, and one metre all around it, are treated with powerful agents to eradicate the root. Throughout the mould eradication process, clients can view the work in progress at the clients’ web portal on the SitexOrbis web site.

Stage Four is prevention. At the very least, fungicidal paint is applied so that any spores still airborne in the room cannot land and germinate. If no more spores germinate, mould will almost certainly not recur on that wall.

Killing the airborne spores

Mould spores can be carried on convection currents and by normal air movement to any point in the building, not just the wall to which fungicidal paint has been applied.

Therefore the best treatment to prevent recurrence of mould is the SitexOrbis vaporisation service, which kills 99.9999% of all known pathogens, both airborne and on surfaces, in minutes. Vaporisation of the building removes all airborne fungal spores, wherever they are in the building, and prevents further mould outbreaks, either at the point being treated or anywhere else in the premises. The process also kills all viruses, bacteria and bacilli present, and thereby greatly reduces risks of cross infections that can cause outbreaks of norovirus, swine ‘flu, seasonal ‘flu and other infections.

“The health risks from some moulds are so serious that they can trigger dangerous respiratory disease” emphasised Mark Cosh. “Employers and landlords should avoid putting workers into a building where such risks are present”.

If your buildings could be harbouring mould, have them surveyed to be on the right side of the law and to protect those working there. Normal air currents can carry dangerous spores to any part of a building. Reduce the humidity in the building to below 50% to reduce disease and absenteeism, as well as the risk of mould.

SitexOrbis can be reached on 08000 830 850 and will be happy to advise you on the best course of action. So tackle the problem, keep on the right side of the law and breathe easily, even if you are asthmatic. If you need further information, please email info@sitexorbis.com for our free white paper ‘Mould – the simple truth’.

* http://www.inspectapedia.com/mold/moldsymptoms.htm

ENDS

For press enquiries please contact:

Debansu Das - SitexOrbis marketing manager t 01895 465500

e:debansu.das@sitexorbis.com

Ceris Burns - Ceris Burns International t: +44(0)1825 714329 e: ceris@cbimarketing.com www.cbimarketing.com

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