Over the last seven years, water damage in the air conditioning system has compromised the delivery of clean air to the building's 585 occupants. The leaks have created conditions favorable for the growth of several kinds of mold on the interior surfaces of air ducts and on walls and ceiling tiles in sections of the building. At least 20 employees have submitted written complaints alleging a link between their health problems and air quality problems in the building.
Molds are microscopic fungi.
Many molds reproduce by releasing spores into the air, triggering allergies or flu-like symptoms in sensitive individuals. Airborne mold spores are far more numerous than pollen and can be found in most environments. Molds are present in both outside air and in buildings, but spore release may occur on one day and not another, making air sampling unreliable. Molds don't use sunlight and air to produce their own food, but instead feed on plant or animal matter. In buildings, they are likely to be found growing on water-damaged materials like wallboard and insulation paper or in dirt and dust trapped in ventilation systems.