ISHM Educates Workers about Elevated Mold Levels and Health Risks

May 29, 2012 - PRLog -- The Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) promotes the advancement of safety and health management for workers across the globe.  They achieve this goal by offering the prestigious Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) certification and the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) designation.

One area of concern for many safety and health management professionals is worker exposure to fungi that may act as pathogens, allergens and asthma triggers.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Molds have the potential to cause health problems. Molds produce allergens (substances that can cause allergic reactions), irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances (mycotoxins).  Inhaling or touching mold or mold spores may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.  Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms, such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash (dermatitis). Allergic reactions to mold are common.  They can be immediate or delayed.  Molds can also cause asthma attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to mold. In addition, mold exposure can irritate the eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs of both mold-allergic and non-allergic people.”

Larry Curtis, CSHM, Executive Director of the ISHM has dedicated much of his time to ensuring that the ISHM’s certificant holders and human resources managers are kept up to date on all issues related to safety and health issues.  “Employees exposed to elevated levels of mold can be adversely impacted,’’ stated Mr. Curtis.  “In addition to the health effects associated with exposure, there is often an increase in absenteeism, lost productivity and a host of other concerns.  People need to be aware that elevated levels of mold in the workplace can have real implications on people’s health and directly impact a company’s bottom line,” he continued.  

In the ISHM’s ongoing effort to educate people about safety and health management issues they recently sponsored an educational video about the fungi known as Fusarium.  It can be seen at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJwxKVuakTo



To learn more about the Institute for Safety and Health Management, please visit http://www.ISHM.org, email info@ISHM.org or call (877) 201-4053.

About the Institute for Safety and Health Management
The Institute for Safety and Health Management is the premier credentialing organization founded to promote the establishment of standards and recognition of safety and risk management professionals.  Through the ISHM’s certification programs, Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM) and Associates Safety Health Manager (ASHM), it promotes the advancement of safety management through the application of management principles and the integration of safety into all levels and activities of management.