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Controlling Microbial Contaminants |
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Building components (walls, floors and ceilings) and building furnishings such as wall coverings, carpets and furniture, provide ideal locations for the growth of molds which can produce odors, allergens, and even toxins. The odors can cause discomfort for a building's occupants, while long term exposure to allergens and toxins can lead to health problems including allergies and asthma. Lets look at how molds occur.
For microbial growth to occur, certain conditions must be present.
* A source of food (usually in the form of wallboard, ceiling tiles, carpet or cardboard)
* Temperatures which fall between 45 degrees and 100 degrees Fahrenheit
* Moisture or humidity to support the growth (usually above 60 % RH)
* A source of spores (existing growths or high ambient dust load)
All of these conditions can certainly be present in a commercial building. Materials used in building construction, building furnishing, and any accumulated dust or dirt can all become foods for these growths.
Controlling moisture levels and relative humidity indoors is a key to providing a healthy, productive workplace and maintaining property value. Excessive moisture levels in buildings can significantly increase maintenance and operating costs through damage to furnishings, wall coverings and carpeting, and more frequent cleaning. Most importantly though, uncontrolled moisture can allow growths to develop and flourish over a very short period of time.
The bottom line is, that if you can control moisture and humidity levels indoors, microbial growths and IAQ complaints they bring can be reduced greatly or eliminated entirely.
This information was taken from a Trane Application Engineering Manual entitled, "Managing Building Moisture." For a copy of this publication, contact your local Trane Commercial Sales Office and ask for a copy of SYS-AM-15, 9/98 or it can be ordered on the web at: http://www.trane.com/bookstore.. |
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