Chronic water damage and dampness problems in buildings can result in fungal colonization of biodegradable construction and finishing materials. However, colonization is not always visually observed but may exist in enclosed building cavities within walls and ceilings. Air sampling can be used as an aid to the inspection process in determining whether fungal colonization or fungal amplification/reservoirs exist within a building.
Sampling for culturable airborne fungi using culture plate impactors with malt extract agar and cellulose agar media was performed quiescently in numerous water-damaged buildings, which had both visible and hidden fungal colonization. The summed total of phylloplane fungi (herein defined as Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Epicoccum spp., CAE) and soil fungi (herein defined as Penicillium, and Aspergillus, spp., PA) in the same sample is presented. The PA concentration was higher indoors as compared to outdoors in five of six water-damaged buildings. In two of three buildings with hidden mold growth in walls, the indoor PA concentration was also higher than that outdoors.

Authors:Bryan K. Ligman, Philip R. Morey, Ph.D.

Citation:Indoor Air Quality 2001: Moisture, Microbes, and Heath Effects: Indoor Air Quality and Moisture in Buildings Conference Papers

Keywords:November, California, 2001, IAQ