Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings

Across the US, thousands of businesses and schools have shut down. In many cases, the HC/AC units have been turned off, and the water has set stagnant in the pipes.

When not enough air circulates, pollution builds up indoors.Sometimes efforts to make buildings more energy efficient can backfire by not allowing enough air to move, building up pollution.

Carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels indoors without proper ventilation, but it is not the only risk. Concentrations of radon, which can cause lung cancer, can increase in homes with low ventilation.

High humidity outside can make indoor air more humid, increasing the risk of moisture damage indoors, such as mold growth or wood rot.

Additionally, workers headed back to the office face new risks once stay-at-home orders are lifted: Legionnaires’ disease.

With buildings closed to non-essential workers, water in plumbing systems can stagnate and increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The conditions caused by stagnant, damp air and stagnant water can make a difficult situation even worse for employees returning to tainted air and water. To read about conditions in New York, visit https://www.pix11.com/news/coronavirus.

Author: Carolyn Willbanks