Environmental factors influencing fungal growth on gypsum boards and their structural biodeterioration: A university campus case study

Abstract

The new era in the design of modern healthy buildings necessitates multidisciplinary research efforts that link principles of engineering and material sciences with those of building biology, in order to better comprehend and apply underlying interactions among design criteria. As part of this effort, there have been an array of studies in relation to the effects of building characteristics on indoor microbiota and their propensity to cause health issues. Despite the abundance of scientific inquiries, limited studies have been dedicated to concomitantly link these effects to the deterioration of ‘structural integrity’ in the building materials. This study focuses on the observed biodeteriorative capabilities of indoor fungi upon the ubiquitous gypsum board material as a function of building age and room functionality within a university campus. We observed that the fungal growth significantly affected the physical (weight loss) and mechanical (tensile strength) properties of moisture-exposed gypsum board samples; in some cases, tensile strength and weight decreased by more than 80%. Such intertwined associations between the biodeterioration of building material properties due to viable indoor fungi, and as a function of building characteristics, would suggest a critical need towards multi-criteria design and optimization of next-generation healthy buildings. Next to structural integrity measures, with a better understanding of what factors and environmental conditions trigger fungal growth in built environment materials, we can also optimize the design of indoor living spaces, cleaning strategies, as well as emergency management measures during probable events such as flooding or water damage.

A comparison of several media types and basic techniques used to assess outdoor airborne fungi in Melbourne, Australia

“…Exposures to mould varies depending on a range of factors including regional differences, local climate including outdoor humidity and wind, shade, organic debris, landscape maintenance, etc., heating and cooling systems, indoor humidity and air-filtration and ventilation systems [ 2 ]. Dampness in a house is also associated with the deterioration of structural components such as plasterboard / Gyprock / drywall panels [ 4 ].…”

New Biological Targets in Fungi and Novel Molecule under Development: A Review

“…Fungi are saprophytes of the body surface and mucous membranes (vagina, throat, intestine). However, they can cause fungal infections in humans in certain favorable situations [3,4]. Thus, they can cause localized and/or disseminated or even invasive fungal infections when they develop uncontrollably in the bloodstream or in certain internal organs (kidney, heart, brain) [5,6].…”

Assessment of Fungal Concentrations Associated with Relative Humidity and Temperature Variations in the Indoor Environment

“…In indoor environment fungi grows on commonly used cellulose products including paper, paper products, wood and wood products and cardboards and ceiling tiles. The indoor quality of built environment is very important because humans speed over 90% of their time indoors [3]. Reviews of epidemiological evidence have identified damp living conditions as a major risk for reporting respiratory symptoms in children and adult [4].…”