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Analysis of microbial contamination of a ventilation system detected by measurement of microbial volatile organic compounds

Foruk, M. J., Uhlman, S., Baker, D. B., Yang, H.
2001
In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York

Foruk, M. J., Uhlman, S., Baker, D. B., Yang, H., (2001), "Analysis of microbial contamination of a ventilation system detected by measurement of microbial volatile organic compounds", In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York.
Abstract:
Introduction

Measurement of atmospheric microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) has been identified as a method to assess microbial growth in indoor environments. Complex mixtures of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alcohol, ketones, aldehydes, aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons, sulfur-based compounds, amines, and terpenes are known to be produced by microbial metabolism (Burge, 1995).

The measurement of atmospheric MVOCs has several potential advantages in identifying building microbial amplification sites compared to measurements of atmospheric fungi or bacteria. MVOC analysis may also serve as a sensitive marker of microbial growth. Periods of high mold spore production may be preceded by increased MVOC production (Abramson et al. 1983). MVOCs are gases and can readily disperse throughout a building and potentially penetrate barriers such as vinyl wallpaper and polyethylene sheeting (Strom, 1994). Such barriers may impede spore transport. MVOC analysis can potentially identify indoor microbial amplification sites before there are any visible signs of growth, especially if the growth is present in poorly accessible areas or areas that are not subject to direct inspection (Borjesson, 1990).

MVOC analysis has not been widely utilized in the assessment of building microbial problems for several reasons. The factors responsible for stimulating and modulating MVOC production and metabolism in fungi and bacteria have not been well characterized. Although fungal growth as measured by carbon dioxide production has been correlated with MVOCs, data on specific MVOC production associated with individual fungi and bacteria are scant (Borjesson, 1990).

The interpretation of MVOC results is difficult since there is limited information on concentrations that represent normal or typical indoor values. VOCs that have been identified as being produced by fungi and bacteria can also be generated by other biogenic sources including trees and algae. The other limiting factor is the concern that indoor MVOC concentration may not be related to other measures of fungal activity (Miller, 1988). MVOC testing is also more costly than many other tests commonly used to assess indoor microbial problems.

Using data from an office building in California, this study demonstrates that measurement of MVOCs can be an investigation tool to assess hidden bioaerosol sources when there is a high index of suspicion of a source, and, especially, when other environmental tests fail to identify a problem.
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Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Foruk, M. J.
     
Uhlman, S.
     
Baker, D. B.
     
Yang, H.
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