Are microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) useful predictors for a hidden mould damage?

Schleibinger H., Brattig C., Mangler M., Laußmann D., Eis D., Braun P., Marchl D., Nickelmann A., Rueden H.
prediction, mould, organic compound
Year:
2003
Bibliographic info:
Healthy Buildings 2003 - Proceedings 7th International Conference (7th-11th December 2003) - National University of Singapore - Vol. 1., pp 706-710, 3 Tab.

Laboratory trials were performed in order to search for the variety of the production ofmicrobial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), which could be used as indicators for hiddenmould damage. Concerning the MVOC production the experiments showed a dependency onthe building materials used as substrate and on the genus or species. It could be proved thatthe production of certain MVOC is not consistent at all times. On the whole low emissionrates in terms of g h-1 of the MVOC were found. Extrapolating the emission rates from thelaboratory trails to an indoor air situation results in concentrations below the analyticaldetection limit in most cases. According to these results only heavy fungal contaminationsmight be detected by this method in indoor air. But the method could yet be very useful forthe search for microbial damages in small cavities with normally very low air exchange rates.

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