Apartment Living and Mold Issues in Puerto Rico

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - July 7, 2014 - PRLog -- Due to the high cost of living and numerous other factors, many people in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean choose to live in apartment complexes.  These properties range from low income apartments to luxury living accommodations.

Apartment complexes, as is the case with virtually any type of building, can suffer from mold growth due to water damage and elevated humidity levels.  The presence of mold can cause a wide range of health concerns from triggering asthma and causing allergies to hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), infections and exposing people to toxins known as mycotoxins.

Although mold is a natural part of the environment, tropical conditions can be especially conducive for its growth.  Mold spores can enter an apartment from the outside air through open doorways and windows as well as through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system’s outdoor air intakes. Spores can even attach themselves to people, making clothing, shoes, bags, and even pets all convenient vehicles for carrying mold into an apartment.

“All mold needs to grow in an apartment or other type of building is elevated humidity levels or water damage,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Mold can begin grow in as short as 24 to 48 hours. Many apartment building materials and tenants’ furnishings and belongings provide suitable nutrients that encourage mold to grow when moisture is present.  Because tenants do not typically know if there has been prior water damage to a unit before they move into an apartment, it is imperative that the property manager or landlord has previously dealt with any moisture issues in a timely and effective manner.  At Zimmetry, our building science professionals help to ensure that apartment complexes do not have elevated levels of mold or other indoor environmental quality problems.”

To help educate property managers, landlords and tenants about mold and apartment complexes, Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video that can be seen at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFjuj-Asb5I



To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and mold, indoor air quality, environmental and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com.

About Zimmetry Environmental

Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase IESAs and general environmental consulting services.