5 Tips to Prevent Mold Growth in the Workplace

Is your workplace a haven for mold? Consisting of multicellular fungi, mold is all around us. In most cases, it's completely harmless. Spaces with high levels of mold, however, can prove problematic. It can trigger asthma, allergy attacks and other respiratory ailments. Exposure to high levels of mold can also weaken the immune system. To prevent mold from taking over your workplace, consider the five following tips.

#1) Run the AC

Running the air conditioning (AC) system can prevent mold growth in your workplace. AC systems filter particulate matter from the air. Mold spores are particulate matter, so running the AC system will remove them. At the same time, running the AC system will dehumidify your workplace. Mold thrives in humid environments. With the AC system running, your workplace will be better protected against mold.

#2) Clean Spilled Liquids

Spills are bound to occur. Spilled liquids, however, can encourage mold growth. Mold requires moisture to grow. When a spill occurs, it will create a breeding ground for mold. While you can't always prevent spills, you can clean them in a timely manner to protect your workplace from mold. The sooner you clean a spill, the better. Not only will it protect against mold growth, cleaning spills in a timely manner will lower the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.

#3) Use Natural Light

You can use natural light to discourage mold from growing in your workplace. Sunlight is ultraviolet (UV), and like other forms of UV light, it's able to neutralize mold. If your workplace has windows, consider opening the curtains during the day. With the curtains open, natural light will beam into your workplace while providing it with mold-killing UV rays.

#4) Clean Surfaces

Cleaning is essential to preventing mold growth. Surfaces that are rarely or never cleaned are more likely to harbor mold. From counters and cabinets to doors and handles, you should get into the habit of cleaning the surfaces in your workplaces. Don't just use any cleaning product. Instead, use a bleach-based cleaning product. Bleach is one of the few cleaning chemicals that's capable of killing of mold on contact.

#5) Install Fans

Installing fans can help to prevent mold growth in your workplace. Whether freestanding of overhead, fans will increase airflow. They'll push stagnant air through your workplace. Why is this important? Mold spores are more likely to settle and spread in areas with stagnant air. Installing fans will prevent this from happening by increasing airflow.