(Source (www.moldtreatment.com/mold_performance_of_some_constru.htm))

At suitable retentions borates have biostatic properties enabling them to be used for biodeterioration control in wood and other materials. Currently though, many construction products contain added borates for non-biodeterioration control objectives. In these products borates are only used to improve physical or processing characteristics or to impart flame retardancy. In other products where they are used for biodeterioration control, they give performance against decay fungi or wood destroying insects. Work examining the performance of both sets of materials against mold, is presented in this paper. Solid wood, wood composites and gypsum wallboard treated with different borate loadings were tested, and work on cellulose insulation was reviewed. The objective was to see if the current commercial levels of borates used would also render them resistant to mold growth. The performance of products pre-treated with borates also led to some remedial type superficial applications being tested. It was confirmed that the presence of borates significantly decreases the amount of mold growth in these products. Whilst borate containing materials should not be considered as a substitute for good design and maintenance, that prevent moisture ingress, the results obtained show that the addition of borates to construction products provides more performance than was their original objective. This knowledge could have some significance because of the rising concern due to illnesses associated with 'sick building syndrome' caused by in-house toxic mold growth. Borate containing materials could be considered as a part of an integrated control strategy for the prevention of mold infestation. For complete control however, higher retentions of borates and/or the use of co-biocides should be considered in some cases.

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• envelope materials
• fungi and molds in buildings and their envelopes
• insulation
• wood panel