Health risks of mold in the workplace
If mold of any type is discovered in a workplace, it is a potential health risk to employees and should be removed as soon as possible.
According to NIOSH, the following health conditions are associated with mold exposure:
- Allergies: Symptoms include sneezing; irritation of the nose, mouth or throat; nasal stuffiness and runny nose; and red, itchy or watery eyes. For employees who already have allergies, mold can trigger asthma-related symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing.
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: HP is lung inflammation that occurs in people who develop immune system sensitization to inhaled organic dust. It can be mistaken for pneumonia, but cannot be treated with antibiotics. With continued exposure, the persistent lung inflammation may cause permanent damage.
- Asthma: With this lung disease, the airways develop inflammation in response to sensitizing or irritating exposure. Asthma sufferers may experience shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness and wheezing.
If employees suspect workplace exposure to mold is affecting their health, NIOSH advises them to immediately report all concerns to their supervisor, visit their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment, and ask their doctor whether they should be medically restricted from the work environment.
NIOSH states that excess moisture usually is the cause of indoor mold growth. If supervisors suspect mold is causing health problems among their employees, they should:
- Regularly inspect buildings for dampness.
- Prevent high indoor humidity with HVAC systems.
- Always respond when employees report health concerns.
- Establish procedures for recording and responding to indoor air quality complaints.
- Develop a plan for response and perform remedial action.
- Follow up to ensure corrective action has been successful.
- Encourage employees who have developed persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms to see a health care provider.
- Follow health care provider recommendations for relocation of employees diagnosed with building-related respiratory disease.
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Title
November 2, 2013
This article rightly attributes mold to health problems. But I saw one shortcoming. You say “Prevent high indoor humidity with HVAC systems.” You need to add that HVAC must be maintained and operated is such a way that it does not become a mold source itself. I am the victim of just such a problem.
Title
February 22, 2015
Have been subjected to mold on my job for 3 mos. now. Work goes on as usual. Recently developed infection of outer ear, the outside attached to your head, nothing deeper! Clinic did an otoscopy and immediately declared it wasn't a w/c issue without further ado. I, personally, find his diagnosis questionable for his credentials on-line are not those of an Md. Having to pay out of my pocket not my"greatest" concern, but this is a motel of @ 150 rooms. I am greatly concerned by the fact that this "known" issue is not being addressed properly. Any suggestion for proper recourse would be appreciated. Thank you.
Title
August 18, 2015
My daughter is working as an electrician apprenticed at Ford on fernvalley today.She sent me a picture of her in a cheap mask.I don't want to alarm her but I know it is dangerous to work in an enclosed area with black mold.She has one of those cheap little mask.I am worried about her health.Isn't that dangerous?
Title
December 16, 2015
I am suspicious of mold in area I work with children as a contract Pediatric OT. Since I am not an employee but do wonder how it affects kids I work with who have mild disabilities . I myself have been getting sick a lot. Please advise.
Title
January 16, 2016
I work i a building with lots of leaks and signs & smells of mold. I am experiencing inflammation in my lungs and have been prescribed steroids. I had asthma as a little girl and I feel this has triggered this condition. Not sure what to do
Title
March 15, 2016
The company i work for tore a wall down almost 7 months ago and discovered that there was black mold underneath it and have yet to repair it and i have been sick alot here lately i can't go to the doctor because there's no health benefits my life sucks!! Any suggestions??
Title
March 16, 2016
My doctor diagnosed me with chronic inflammatory response syndrome do to having two muti susceptible genes. Mold and lime. My employer had the building tested because it had a leaking roof for two years. They called me and said there is no mold. None. I have pictures of stained and moldy looking ceiling tiles. Over 20 so it's hard for me to believe. They said they will send me the report. So far for almost two weeks they give every excuse why they haven't shown me the report. What should or can I do?
Title
September 20, 2016
The building where I work had a leakey roof for many many years and the mold that developed was clearly visible on the ceiling. I am very healthy when I am not at work I take yoga and/or cycle every day. When I'm in the building I can feel my lungs full of toxins and taking deep breaths cause me to cough. This building is a school and is over 100 years old. Everyone knows there is a mold problem but repairs only scratch the surface. We need a new building but always seem to get put off. Please help, what action can I take without being at risk of losing my job.
Title
October 4, 2016
Hi. I've told two supervisors of their being mold and the dishes vent being broken. Still no response. I have told them how to completely remove it and yet no action. I have offered to help after it was returning since I removed it when I first began washing dishes. Its been a while and I'm filing a complaint as well as Continuing to press the issue to supervisors. Is their anyway I can get them to fix it immediately and close the kitchen for an hour or two ore even receive hazard pay???
Title
October 9, 2016
Hello my name is Kevin I work for stop and shop In Amityville, Long Island and there has been some form of mold and or mildew growing on the ceil tiles in the café area and the in the dairy department and I have reported it numerous times to my managers as well as getting customer compliments and not once have they done anything about it it's been that way for at least 2 months and still haven't done anything I'm just worried about my health as well as our customers what should I do ?
Title
October 17, 2016
If my boss knows about this mold and how it can effect your body a dose nothing can I sue
Title
December 26, 2016
My work place has alot of mold, its visible to the eye. I have told management nothing has been done. I have been feeling ill like a cold , but never a full on flu.The mold is every where in the walk in cooler. How do I go about handleing this situation to protect myself?
Title
December 29, 2016
Hi I'm a painter and decorator been doing for 12 years never had to touch or be involved with mould but in last 4 years I have been working for a large housing doing repairs to there propertys. Which nearly every job involves damp and mould. My work have been using me to clean/mould wash all mould in propertys from ventilation mould spores to rising damp even rotted mould from ongoing leaks. In last 2 years I have been feeling really ill. I had severe rashes. Visited many doctors/hospitals had biopsies taken to be told its chronic idiopathic urticaria. I have Informed supervisors and mangers I have an allergie to mould and can't be having 4 mould washes a day which I was doing not realising work had not been solving damp issues just using me to wash and paint over causing me and tenants at risk. When I fall ill its horrible like I have no immune system no energy. No one seems to help. Doctors won't put in writing that it's mould causing me to be ill and have hives. Work just provide me with more ppe and respirators. Can anyone help? Who do I contact for advice and is this breaching my employee rights. Please help
Title
January 19, 2017
I am regularly made to scrub black mold from walls and ceilings at work (as a hsirdresser) have never been given ppe for it and my boss laughs when I say it is the reason I am chronically ill just because she isn't ill! Help?
Title
February 4, 2017
I worked at a job for a year in a deli. They have a whole wall of black mold that they put a sheet of meatal over the wood its on. Been there so long it's starting to come out from the meatal, on top of them trying to scub it with bleach and it's just feeding it. I swear its mutating. I left, guess I didn't really realize how bad it was hurting me I went back and after 2 weeks there i got these severe headache out of no where making me nauseous. They also have one lady there that has had a cold sniffling and stopped up since I've known here and she been there for 3 years before I got there. On top of that they have a girl that recently had her knee swell to where she couldn't walk on it and she's been there about 3 years. I have put hints out to them while I worked there but they blew it off, they know it's there of course they put a sheet of metal over it. So to say, I'm not working there anymore and I'm not worried about it, but I am about my friends it seems like the more time goes on the sicker that all get. I tried to call OSHA and they said cause it been 5 days since I been employed there they can't do anything. Is there anyone else to call that will listen????
Title
March 9, 2017
Our work place has been victim to several floods from a faulty roof and humidity system. Several cieling tiles burst from amounts of water damage. Our carpets were dried over a week but kept being subject to additional water damage. Our employer had the ground maintenance man climb into the vents and spray Lysol spray. We have pictures of the extensive damage. Several employees have throats issues and actually I was scoped at the hospital and have active mole growth. Also 3 employees were treated for pneumonia, nasal irritation and sinus issues from the exposure. This fungus mold has not responded to common medical drugs. Our employer refused to share info on how they are trying to clean it up or that they contracted any certified professional to come assess the building. There were major problems with the dampers in our OR suites. The fire dampers were not functioning. They have since contacted to have the fire dampers repaired. Out of 40 employees more than half exposed in the preop , or , post op area are suffering signs and symptoms of continued exposure.
OSHA was contacted about several issues but in a letter they sent to the company the air quality was not addressed.
Thank you for your attention to this issue.
Title
March 14, 2017
We working in a place where there mold up the walls we use hot walter to clean things down they reported it nothing being done I got pic on phone
Title
April 1, 2017
I deliver beer for a living and I'm in a lot of different walk in boxes where there is a lot of mold I'm not sure if it black mold or not I was wondering what the health issues are with the fans blowing and walking through plastic door covers with all the mold on them getting all over me and who would I report this to
Title
April 19, 2017
A member of my family is doing a hairdresssing apprenticeship. She has been asked to clean black mould from walls without any protective mask or clothing. Is this allowed ?
Title
July 13, 2017
Plumbers at my workplace cleaned heating/cooling units out by blowing them out with air pressure .The units had mold inside causing mold spores to release into the air. This was a college dorm.This was done in every room in every dorm.Many workers became very ill. They provide paper masks to clean mold.Any suggestions or advice?
Title
September 23, 2017
Where i work,there is black mold through out the building!! I work in a nursing home and residents rooms have black mold in them! A few of the rooms have been shut down and they are working on them. But the mold is really just so bad that all the rooms need to be shut down and they need to look at every room in the building if the mold is that bad in 3 of the rooms, ive been told that its in every room!! I feel that the residents and employees health are in danger!! Instead of excepting new residents they need to just fix every room and the whole building instead! Most residents have breathing issues and i know myself i have been really stuffy and can not breath good while im there!!! I dont know what to do or how to handle this!!!
Title
September 26, 2017
What can one do if an employee suspects mold, reports concerns and concerns are ignored and not addressed? Several respiratory illnesses are already a problem along with a bad Musty smell, yet no one is addressing these concerns and observations.
Title
September 29, 2017
My employer has 15 individual men showers
There is a black mold growing in several of
Them . Concerns have been brought to the health and safety .
but they laugh off and then threaten to close them ,what recourse is there on my part as an employee
Title
October 14, 2017
I'm working in a building for a lady supposed to be moving in there and while I work there and it has black mold all over the place and she acts like there's nothing to it but I already have COPD and I need to know what action I should take next if you can please help me thank you
Title
October 17, 2017
I have been off work due to the would on the office wall I have COPD and cannot work in this environment until it is fixed am I entitled to full wages as it is not my responsibly
Title
October 20, 2017
There is a very strong mold smell at my workplace for a while now. A couple of us did tell the manager. She did call maintenance but they didn’t find any water in the basement so nothing has been done about it. I do sneeze a lot, headaches and dizziness.i need my job and I am afraid of going to HR. Don’t want to go above my manager
Title
December 24, 2017
I recently left a maintenance engineer position and had to change jobs because the unsafe conditions of mold and sewage in the ceiling and walls, which I discovered. I informed my supervisor (owner) right away. When I shared the. Health concerns for me and the staff and guest. There was raw sewage dripping from the floor above caused by a broken toilet flange. It is in a wall behind the shower I’m almost positive the sewer is what has caused this issue. To my knowledge maybe 1/2of the affected drywall was removed. When I informed by a video I recorded when I was in the room working I was told not to do anything more except replace the drywall that was missing. I told him that I was not replacing the drywall until the entire issue got fixed.......the next morning I woke up to an email for applicants at my job on line, and when I asked about it......I got told it wasn’t the place I was working.......after the fact, it was actually a replacement for me. I cud not do what he was asking......I cannot and will not make a 1/2 ass repair to help him make a dollar and make that more important than the health of a guest or coworker. A couple days later.......I called and gave my immediate resignation effective that day, I explained that their business practices went against my morals and my const ethic. I was then told if I wouldn’t do.....there is someone who will. I feel like they put me in a very,very sensitive and dangerous situation........they was well informed of the issue, but kept telling me to just patch it and ignore the concerns I have. It feels like they wrongly pushed me out the door for not doing something illegal instead of FIXING the issue.
Title
January 2, 2018
Have been shopping at Woolworths whitfords on numerous occasions and have noticed a large amount of mould built up on the shelves in the milk fridge. Have questioned this with staff more than once and never seems to get cleaned. I refuse to buy milk from this store as I don't wish to transfer mould to my home fridge. I would have thought a store like Woolworths would have a strict cleaning policy
Title
March 1, 2018
I have a friend who has been complaining about headaches, upper chest pains, having a terrible cough and shortness in breath but never before. We dance and have danced for two years now and I have not ever witnessed what she is now dealing with. Three (3) months in her office building they experienced a flood. In the process of cleaning this mess, they only cleansed the carpet and removed certain items within her office. This one heavy bookshelf remained as well as the original carpet, which was not pulled up to dry. Within a day or two the company had tested their air quality, however, not ever after that day. Now after several doctor visits after suffering headaches, which she never complained about, sinus infections, ear infections a bad and constant cough she was told that they found black mold in her office after she found green mold inside the bookshelf under a few cardboard items and black mold under the actual bookshelf that they finally removed on yesterday.
As of yesterday, Upper Management has moved her from this office location into another area, but has not mentioned anything to her other than they are looking in to matters. Her direct line of Management said to her that she must have wasted water to cause this mold issue!!! How sad!! What would anyone who has experienced this other than do other than go to the doctor to assure that she is not suffering from any other ailment?
This is in VA an at will state and that would be sad if they are trying to place blame on the victim
Title
April 10, 2018
I work for McDonald's and was made to clean black mold today and have to do it again on my second shift (oh yea they make me work 2 shifts in one day a 11-7 than a 4-12 and it's 2 hours to get there giving me only 5 hours of sleep) and they made me clean up black mold from under the sink of which I wasn't aware of untill I had done most of the job
Title
May 18, 2018
My employer is aware of a serious mold problem in the building in which we work. We also have leak in the floor that he has not had checked and repaired. My concern is long term health issues. I have worked in this building for 20 years and no repairs regarding this issue have been made. I have recently begun to have slight memory issues and respiratory trouble in the fall and winter when the heat is running. What options do I have besides quitting my job?
Title
May 24, 2018
Hi just to find out in my work place been delivered some units which ones are mouldy we straight away informed management and we get answer from management the health and safety guy told its fine unload the lorry and keep thes mouldy units inside of warehouse and the units no been placed inside for more than week and no response from management been taken .
Title
May 30, 2018
Been working for this retail company for almost 8 mos now. I noticed that ever since I worked there I tend to be sick with unexplained headaches, constant sneezing, coughing, low grade fever 101.6 etc, runny nose, watery eyes, memory lapses, tiredness & fatigue & body aches. Several times, storms had caused some leaks on the ceilings, walls busted open with rainwater causing flood on the floor. Water damaged ceilings & walls are evident & musty odor lingers. Employees had been Ill with walking pneumonia, asthma attacks, similar allergies like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose etc etc. But nobody had concluded that it might be the mold lurking in those walls & ceilings that had been water damaged that's causing all these ailments. What can I do besides going to my doctor to check if my symptoms are related to mold infestation?
Title
July 15, 2018
Work place kitchen mold ? I do believe this is not good .. I luv and enjoy everyone I serve I pointed this out and I'm now gone it's not safe
Title
July 16, 2018
I worked private duty home health in the same house 12-24 hrs daily for over a year. I stayed sick, Found that there was a very bad mold / mildew oder in the house. Basement stays flooded and sepit kept backing up. I complained to them all the time. Finally pumped out Sept thank after 10 months but there is still water flooding out basement. Walls stay wet & patient stays very sick. I was just diagnosed with heart & lung issues and I'm only 44 yrs old. What can I do??
Title
July 31, 2018
I have to work in a dorm that has mold all throughout , the sad part is every one higher up know about it . the kids are living in this and know nothing about it.
They pay all this money for school and no one cares about their health..
Title
September 1, 2018
Seems this is a really concerning issue for many. I work in a very old building with visible ceiling tiles that show water damage as there are leaks (which in a down pour have to put out wastebasket to catch the water dripping). I know behind the tiles and walls is probably very dangerous molds. Also asbestos issues. In some rooms the tiles are actually breaking down. What can be done to at least have these old buildings tested for safety? It seems there should be at least some standards of work safety and that they should be inspected periodically especially if owned by the city.
Title
October 13, 2018
Work place knows and makes me clean the water up! Mildew- theatre that front of stage, and second entrance water come up under carpet! cleaning it up every day with machine! Foundation and comes through walls! Never try to fix the problems! My eyes are Hurting and swollen , Like Alergy! ty
Title
October 26, 2018
i was exposed to black mold at the Fred Meyer in Bonney lake Washington state it is no joke I became very ill in 2017 I had to clean it up because the company they brought in left a bunch behind I didn't know what it was at first it ruined my health I'm only 52 I will never be the same
Title
November 11, 2018
i was exposed to black mold for 5years worked as a meat wrapper at Bonnie lake Fred Meyer it was a horrible situation I'm very sick now if yu can help please call I have pictures and everything or just email the guy said worst case of black mold he has ever seen it ruined my. Health and my life
Title
November 27, 2018
I worked in a car wash from 2007 til 2013. Before starting I heard that as a result of a bad flood they sustained heavy water damage. A creek flows under the car wash. I asked if they had removed all the mould from office and work areas where workers could be exposed. I was assured that they had purchased stuff from a supplier that sells just the thing for mould. Over time I began to notice black mould in the office bathroom and on walls. I was told it was safe and said they had an employee put more product to clean it. I worked there for 7 years and began having health problem. Bronchitis, headaches and flu like symptoms and coughing till i was sick.I left in 2013 and have been in and out of emerge ever since. I am on puffers and have been rushed by ambulance to EMERG several times. I am under the care of a lung specialist, been to. An ENT and an Allergist. I suffer with Chronic bronchitis at least 3 times a year. I have nodules on my lungs. I have had a broncoscopy a tube down my nose and been on prednisone every time i get sick. Im only 67 and sometimes i can barely walk to the bathroom when i am so sick. Bottom line...could my exposure to the mould have triggered this chronic bronchitis. I am sccheduled for a CT scan and i am also Type 2 diabetic. Could i sue this company?
Title
February 20, 2019
If mold at your work place or other public places are making people sick ,then why aren't there laws in place? I had to quit a job because the building was water damaged and after working in that environment for over 2 years became very sick. I called several places even air quality environmental office to no avail. Over 50 percent of public places have water damaged building through out the United States. My question is WHY are there law's against this matter?
I'm having a hard time trying to find a safe environment to work, to eat and to shop in New Orleans, LA. Why?
February 20, 2019
P.S.... after reading all the below comment and still no one dose anything about this issue. why?
It is killer people little by little. The sad put is the medical field doesn't recognize mold illness or even know how to test for mold illness. And half of the diseases is caused by the toxins like mold,heavy metals,etc in your body.
Title
March 20, 2019
I work in Aviation and I am in a Hangar that is about 60 years old, the booths are over 10 years old. Back in Sept the AC went out in a couple booths and the smell was like dead fish, horrible.
We had to go back and forth between that booth and another to do our paperwork for several days and so they set up a temporary Duct until the AC was replaced.
Not that the AC has been replaced, but nothing else. I feel it covers up the real deal.
Ever since I have had bronchitis two or three times, sinus infections, Asthmas has not been under control ever since.
This is over 6 months now and I feel there is mold in the ac ducts and just changing the filter wont cut it.
but am afraid to say anything major of fear of loosing my job.
but my health hasn't been the same.
I looked on line to find Mold Test I could do myself to see if it shows up. haven't gotten it yet.
going to a lung dr to see if there is trace of it in my lungs and how to get rid of it.
got some decisions to make soon.
any advice?
Thanks
P.
Title
May 27, 2019
Mold is in the place where I work and I have asthma can I be fired if I don't go to work.I have reported the mold and the also know I have asthma.
Title
July 31, 2019
I have been employed as a caregiver for a bedridden disabled man in which i have a room and restroom at the back of the house. I didn't find out that the roof leaked until it started raining one day and he said"by the way the roof leaks in your room" by this time the water had done significant damage to my personal property. Now after 3 years of employment here nothing has been done about the leaky roof and there is black mold on the ceiling and several walls yet he doesnt seem concerned. Only saying "as long as it doesn't effect the space where he occupies it doesn't matter. I am here 24 hours a day 7 days a week for $200.00/week because he said i also get my room as part of my pay. But my room is toxic. Is he liable to fix it and replace my property?
Title
August 7, 2019
I go to a coffee shop every morning... the ceilings are covered in mold .. air vents are dirty and do not work properly... district manager was told many times... nothing is being done...
Title
August 22, 2019
I work at an office where black mold in the ceiling is in abundance. Several employees have reported it to the owners and the owners refuse to do anything about amending the situation. People feel sick all the time while in the office. Who can I contact to come in inspect the place and force the owners to fix this issue?
Title
November 5, 2019
what should you do when your employer outright denies your claim of spotting and smelling mold without even bothering to test for it?
November 5, 2019
i work in a warehouse for a very large company that sells whatever from whomever and wherever....they dont have regulations and QC processes that other regular retail stores do for the products they sell.
Recently and on and off I started to notice the odd almost chalk like spots mostly in a line or square shape white, black, and greenish blue on some of the packages and the strong nauseating odor of mold from some of the truckloads.
i brought it up to the station manager who just got defensive and poo pooed me and stated its not mold yet couldnt tell me or even offer up anything in the way of an explanation for these chalky substances on the packages.
This is a major concern to me and should be to anyone who buys anything online from this company especially if they have bad allergies or immune systems for they are bringing it into their homes unwittingly and exposing their families to it.
Am i just crazy ? I actually enjoy the job so its not like i am trying to get out of work. ive never been on workers comp in my life nor do i plan on ever. This was not the reaction I expected at all. i am worried now about keeping my job because of 1. retaliation for even mentioning the issue of mold
2. health problems continuing if they dont change anything and get to the bottom of the mold problem
Title
January 21, 2020
I was told that the stuff in the cracks of the floor tile over 10 years ago was glue from the floor cleaners and to scrape it off. Now I learn that it is not glue at all that it is MOLD?? Nothing was ever done to clean up the floor in the front office until now. Now they are just going to clean it off the surface? Which after doing some research isn't going to solve the problem. I was a long term smoker in which I have quit for 9 years now but I do have issues with my lungs, wheezing etc. So I am thinking that my lung issue is also derived from this mold issue at work? I am calling my doctor today to get tested, Thank you for your article.
Title
February 24, 2021
I work where there is black mold callings are leaking and the smell is awful I’ve been sick for awhile and can’t seem to know what’s going on is it the mold that is causing this? And what should I do?
Title
May 17, 2021
This is a great article. I am interested in the answers to the comments listed - can you please tell me where I can find the answers to the questions & comments?
Thank-you,
Maria
Title
November 19, 2021
My job role, to inspect customers internet returns, may of the garment are stained with bodily fluids, urine, face, blood and other bodily fluids. Clothes with damp and mould on, are placed in a large trolley near to staff working area for many weeks until it is full before being removed, management do not fallow H&S guidelines please help
Title
January 17, 2023
My employer has approached me as the Maintenance Technician to treat a bedroom within our Chester city hotel that has black mould in. I am highly allergic to penicillin and my employer knows this.
I am made to feel as though I am making too much a deal about this but this makes my airways tighten up almost instantly, it makes my eyes go puffy, water uncontrollably and sends me into a coughing fit.
I was told by my mother that I had been given penicillin when I was a baby and it almost killed me. It made me swell up all over my body and go a scarlet colour and sent me into anaphylaxic shock.
Is there any help I can get before my employer makes me do this task, as I am afraid that it's going to make me seriously ill.