Analysis of mold and mycotoxins in naturally infested indoor building materials

Lindemann, Viktoria; Schleiner, Tim; Maier, Ulrich; Fels, Hubert; Cramer, Benedikt; Humpf, Hans‐Ulrich

doi:10.1007/s12550-022-00461-3

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…The 265 colonies screened as toxic out of the 412 tested colonies isolated from water-damaged buildings represented 21 species of filamentous ascomycete fungi. Many of these genera ( Aspergillus, Chaetomium, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Stachybotrys , and Trichoderma ) are known to produce toxic metabolites and mycotoxins and to colonize water-damaged buildings [ 23 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Representants of these species are also connected to building-related health complaints and are known as opportunistic pathogens [ 24 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indoor mold species have been categorized into species able to colonize wet building materials, indicating water damage, and some of these species are known as mycotoxin-producing species [ 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Mycotoxins and toxic bacterial metabolites have been identified in contaminated indoor building materials and indoor dusts [ 28 , 29 ]. Xenobiotic substances as biocides, synthetic tensides in cleaning chemicals, phthalates, flame retardants, and parabens, as well as unknown substances and heavy metals, have been found in indoor dusts [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods

Hintikka,

Andersson,

Lundell

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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It is controversial how useful bioassays are for identifying the in vivo toxicity of hazardous environmental exposures. In this study, fruiting bodies of forest mushrooms (n = 46), indoor mold colonies (n = 412), fungal secondary metabolites (n = 18), xenobiotic chemicals such as biocides and detergents (n = 6), and methanol extracts of indoor dusts from urban buildings (n = 26) were screened with two different bioactivity assays: boar sperm motility inhibition (BSMI) and inhibition of cell proliferation (ICP) tests. For the forest mushrooms, the toxicity testing result was positive for 100% of poisonous-classified species, 69% of non-edible-classified species, and 18% of edible-classified species. Colonies of 21 isolates of Ascomycota mold fungal species previously isolated from water-damaged buildings proved to be toxic in the tests. Out of the fungal metabolites and xenobiotic chemicals, 94% and 100% were toxic, respectively. Out of the indoor dusts from moldy-classified houses (n = 12) and from dry, mold-free houses (n = 14), 50% and 57% were toxic, respectively. The bioassay tests, however, could not differentiate the samples from indoor dusts of moldy-classified buildings from those from the mold-free buildings. Xenobiotic chemicals and indoor dusts were more toxic in the BSMI assay than in the ICP assay, whereas the opposite results were obtained with the Ascomycota mold colonies and fungal secondary metabolites. The tests recognized unknown methanol-soluble thermoresistant substances in indoor settled dusts. Toxic indoor dusts may indicate a harmful exposure, regardless of whether the toxicity is due to xenobiotic chemicals or microbial metabolites.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods

Hintikka,

Andersson,

Lundell

et al. 2024

Pathogens

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“…It should be noted that most of these studies were carried out in mouldy dwellings or dwellings in which inhabitants displayed respiratory problems [ 9 , 67 , 72 , 73 , 75 , 76 , 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 ]. Data are less numerous on normal buildings with no dampness, no visible mould contamination and no respiratory problems for occupants [ 63 , 66 , 75 , 76 , 81 , 82 , 87 , 88 ].…”

Section: Microbial Species Identified On Indoor Building Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fungal Contamination of Building Materials and the Aerosolization of Particles and Toxins in Indoor Air and Their Associated Risks to Health: A Review

Hallak

Verdier

Bertron

et al. 2023

Toxins

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It is now well established that biological pollution is a major cause of the degradation of indoor air quality. It has been shown that microbial communities from the outdoors may significantly impact the communities detected indoors. One can reasonably assume that the fungal contamination of the surfaces of building materials and their release into indoor air may also significantly impact indoor air quality. Fungi are well known as common contaminants of the indoor environment with the ability to grow on many types of building materials and to subsequently release biological particles into the indoor air. The aerosolization of allergenic compounds or mycotoxins borne by fungal particles or vehiculated by dust may have a direct impact on the occupant’s health. However, to date, very few studies have investigated such an impact. The present paper reviewed the available data on indoor fungal contamination in different types of buildings with the aim of highlighting the direct connections between the growth on indoor building materials and the degradation of indoor air quality through the aerosolization of mycotoxins. Some studies showed that average airborne fungal spore concentrations were higher in buildings where mould was a contaminant than in normal buildings and that there was a strong association between fungal contamination and health problems for occupants. In addition, the most frequent fungal species on surfaces are also those most commonly identified in indoor air, regardless the geographical location in Europe or the USA. Some fungal species contaminating the indoors may be dangerous for human health as they produce mycotoxins. These contaminants, when aerosolized with fungal particles, can be inhaled and may endanger human health. However, it appears that more work is needed to characterize the direct impact of surface contamination on the airborne fungal particle concentration. In addition, fungal species growing in buildings and their known mycotoxins are different from those contaminating foods. This is why further in situ studies to identify fungal contaminants at the species level and to quantify their average concentration on both surfaces and in the air are needed to be better predict health risks due to mycotoxin aerosolization.

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“…• Mold: this pathological manifestation usually occurs in moist places and with insu cient ventilation, favoring the proliferation of mycotoxins in the cladding, and can cause health problems to the user, such as allergic reactions, fungal infections and even neurological problems (HYVÖNEN; LOHI; Tuuminen, 2020; LINDEMANN et al, 2022;VILJOEN;CLAASSEN, 2023).…”

Section: Recurrent Pathological Manifestations In Buildings Facadesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of pathological manifestations through damage map: case study in Buildings I and K of the Polytechnic School of Pernambuco

Azevedo

Júnior

SANTOS

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Building inspection in constructions is important to verify that the building is in good safety condition for its occupants, identify problems that harm people's comfort or even determine preventive maintenance to avoid problems early, helping to extend the life of the building. One of the ways to document the condition of a building is through the damage map. The objective of this article is to present the survey of the existing pathological manifestations on the facades of Buildings I and K of the Polytechnic School of Pernambuco, representing them using damage maps to contribute to the maintenance and restoration services of the analyzed buildings. To this end, the architectural survey of the facades of Buildings I and K was carried out, the photographic survey was done using smartphone and drone and finally, the creation of the damage map. With the analysis of the results, it was noticed the presence of 14 pathological manifestations, where the most recurrent were grime and efflorescence. The front and right lateral facades presented the highest and lowest number of pathological manifestations, respectively. With the periodic survey of the pathological manifestations and their representations in damage maps it will be possible to create an evolution chart of the state of Buildings I and K and plan future preventive and/or corrective maintenance.

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Analysis of mold and mycotoxins in naturally infested indoor building materials

Cited by 8 publications

References 59 publications

Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods

Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods

Fungal Contamination of Building Materials and the Aerosolization of Particles and Toxins in Indoor Air and Their Associated Risks to Health: A Review

Analysis of pathological manifestations through damage map: case study in Buildings I and K of the Polytechnic School of Pernambuco

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