With the rainy season knocking on our door, it is important to make certain construction sites and building materials─wood and plastic alike─are ready for the impending wet weather. Its impacts to building materials can result in fungal growth issues, including toxic molds.
Traditional responses to mitigating fungal growth during construction have involved the use of anti-microbial solutions to clean surfaces. However, as newer plastic polymer plumbing components have become more prevalent in the construction industry, plumbing manufacturers are becoming more aware of potential incompatibilities between their materials and the antifungal solutions commonly used for mold cleanup. These compatibility issues can lead to warranty questions down the road for plumbing companies and general contractors.
To be sure, some plumbing components have pre-existing issues with things like light sensitivity, chlorine in drinking water, permeability, chemical leaching, and dezincification. As plumbing components in existing buildings reach the end of their lifetimes, manufacturers also are becoming aware of premature failures that are being attributed to the use of anti-microbials and other chemicals applied around the plastic polymers used for plumbing.
Industrial Hygienists with EHSI and SoundEarth Strategies can help our clients get in front of these issues by devising recommendations for plumbing-friendly biocides that are compatible with plumbing components already in place or those being suggested for a new construction project.
Contact us today to learn more.