Ask Ty…March 21

Q: Where I work, they are about to move us from separate (or semi-separate) work spaces to an open workspace. My concern is, one of the guys who works in a room of his own has an extremely moldy aroma, and his room smells like mold has been growing in it for years. Standing next to him is almost a toxic experience. What does a person do in this situation?

- Trippin’ Mold While Working for the Man

Ty: Good question and an even better observation.

Have you considered that this whole move is just a big guise to get mold guy out into the general ventilation stream? Maybe your company brass is just trying to find a way to clean up his office and get this guy some much-needed light and some air.
Here's what I know:

Exposure to mold is common both inside and outside the home, but some people are more sensitive to mold than others, especially those with allergies and asthma. Mold exposure may cause cold-like symptoms, watery eyes, sore throat, wheezing and dizziness, and trigger asthma attacks.

Because some mold spores are very small and can easily be breathed deeply into the lungs, it is not safe to live in houses with high mold levels. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to mold.

Molds grow on organic materials such as paper, leather, dirt and soap scum. They grow best at warm temperatures, between 77 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can grow in temperatures between 32 and 95 degrees.

Molds grow in moisture. Water leaks, flooding, high relative humidity and condensation are all situations that increase the growth of mold.

Your options as I see them, Trippin', are:

1. Lobby, finagle, jiu jitsu your way into a workspace far away from mold dude
2. Submit a report (even anonymously) that the company may have a mold situation that should be checked
3. Lobby, finagle, jiu jitsu your way into getting someone else to report mold guy so you maintain “plausible deniability.” I don’t know your company dynamics, but it’s always better to get some other sucker to do the dirty work, “Gee Sally. I read the mold can KILL!”
4. Ask the moldy dude, "hey, does it smell moldy in here." See how he reacts.
5. Suck it up, trip balls, and let the mold spread to the new and exciting open workspace.
6. Point your company or your little helper (see #3) to "mold facts" on Interwebs including clean-up tips such as:

• Materials should be dried quickly; mold will grow within about 2 days.
• Anyone spending more than a brief time cleaning in a moldy environment should use a HEPA filter mask; typically it will have two straps. Also, use gloves.
• Porous materials should be thrown out or completely decontaminated if they are moldy. Materials such as hard plastic, glass and metal can be cleaned and disinfected.
• Remove the mold using a non-ammonia soap or detergent. Never mix bleach and ammonia. Surfaces from which the mold cannot be completely removed should be treated with enough chlorine bleach to keep the surface moist for at least 15 minutes, rinsed, then rapidly dried.
• Disinfect by applying a solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach per 1 gallon water or follow manufacturer's recommendations. The surface should be thoroughly wetted with the solution. Keep the surface wet with the bleach solution 10 to 15 minutes to kill the mold. Allow the solution to dry naturally 6 to 8 hours.
• Other products that kill mold are biocides. These biocides have Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration numbers on the bottle and instructions for the intended application.

I’m guessing though that given some light, some air and a little time, this problem will clear itself up on it’s own. Or get much, much worse. Dunno, maybe the guy just stinks.

Just a guess. - Ty