It has gained significant media attention, and the courts are hearing more lawsuits for third-party injuries related to microbiological exposure. For any business that owns or manages a building, preventing the growth of microorganisms has become a top facility management concern, and for good reason.
Fungi come in a variety of forms.
Stachybotrys is known to produce a series of potent toxins affecting the immune system, resulting in adverse effects on the central nervous system, upper and lower respiratory tract, eyes and skin. Chronic fatigue and adverse reproductive effects also have been linked to this mold. In May 2000, bricklayers at Philadelphia's Albert Einstein Medical Center were removing a building's exterior facade to identify the source of water leaks. Shortly after, three workers were hospitalized, and it was discovered the substance contained a variety of molds, including Stachybotrys and another toxic fungus called Aspergillus. Remediation A Business Council on Indoor Air study of 695 commercial buildings revealed that 35 percent had fungal growth.