Mika, T., Marju, R., Anne, H., Teija, M., Aino, N.
2001 In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York
mold, buildings, methods
Mika, T., Marju, R., Anne, H., Teija, M., Aino, N., (2001), "Different methods to characterize moldy buildings", In "Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins: Health Effects, Assessment, Prevention and Control", Edited by Johanning, E., Boyd Printing, Albany, New York.
ABSTRACT
Different methods were evaluated for their potential to show unusual microbial conditions in a building. The buildings studied were schools and offices. The buildings were inspected for visible signs of moisture by a civil engineer. Samples were taken from the air, surfaces and structures. Indoor air concentrations of viable microbes were higher in moldy than reference buildings. This difference could not be seen in the total counts of biological particles. In most cases, the concentrations of microbes on the surfaces were low. In some cases microbial concentrations were high in material samples although no contamination could be seen in surface swab samples from the same damage area. With one sample or one method alone, the conclusion of the mold problem in the building could not necessarily be drawn.
Bioaerosols, Fungi and Mycotoxins, Ed. by Johanning, E. "papers presented at the September, 1998 Third International Conference in Saratoga Springs, New York. clinical and epidemiological studies and technical reports on an emerging public health topic affecting people in indoor environments at work and at home."
