Remediation of mould damaged building materials—efficiency of a broad spectrum of treatments

Abstract

We compared the efficiency of some commercially available products and methods used for remediation of mould-contaminated building materials. Samples of gypsum board and pinewood were artificially contaminated with toxin-producing isolates of Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor, respectively, then, ten different remediation treatments were applied according to the manufacturers' instructions. Microbial and chemical analyses of the infested materials were carried out both immediately before and after treatment, after six weeks of drying at room temperature, and after another six weeks of remoistening. The aim of the study was to determine whether the investigated methods could inhibit the mould growth and destroy some selected mycotoxins produced by the moulds. None of the decontamination methods tested could completely eliminate viable moulds. Some methods, especially boron based chemicals, ammonium based chemicals, and oxidation reduced the contents of mycotoxins produced by S. chartarum (satratoxin G and H, verrucarol), whereas the one which uses an ammonium based chemical reduced the amount of sterigmatocystin produced by A. versicolor with statistical significance. No remediation treatment eliminated all the toxins from the damaged materials. These results emphasize the importance to work preventively with moisture safety throughout the construction processes and management to prevent mould growth on building materials.

Latest Trends in Pollutant Accumulations at Threatening Levels in Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings with and without Mechanical Ventilation: A Review

“…When molds develop on surfaces, extensive environmental remediation and replacement of the infected materials is recommended for their removal. The use of a chemical treatment reduces exposure to molds and their byproducts (the mycotoxins), although it does not eradicate them [ 50 ]. The effectiveness of each remediation approach in improving health outcomes must be supported by epidemiological studies, and to the author’s best knowledge, almost all data on the effectiveness of extensive remediation methods were evaluated here [ 51 ].…”

A Review of the Mechanism of Injury and Treatment Approaches for Illness Resulting from Exposure to Water‐Damaged Buildings, Mold, and Mycotoxins

“…Unfortunately, it is often difficult and expensive to test environments and items that have been exposed to those environments for mycotoxin contamination [4] and consequently this testing is often not done. Research has shown that none of the commonly used methods for cleaning water-damaged materials such as bleach, ammonia, ultraviolet (UV) light, heating, and ozone were found to completely remove mold and mycotoxins from water-damaged building materials [113]. For this reason, it is safest for patients who have become ill after exposure to water-damaged environments is to avoid exposure to items that were present in the contaminated environment.…”

“…Unfortunately, common building remediation techniques have not been found to be successful in removing mold and mycotoxins from contaminated materials [113]. In this study, pine and gypsum were deliberately contaminated with Stachybotrys chartarum and Aspergillus versicolor and treated with either peroxide, hot air, flaming, two types of boron-based chemicals, drying, steam, UV light, ammonium chloride, or sodium-hypochlorite-based chemicals.…”

Aerosolization of Mycotoxins after Growth of Toxinogenic Fungi on Wallpaper

“…The material, visually clean and dry, was cut into 2 by 5-cm pieces and then sterilized by autoclaving at 121°C for 20 min before use (27,46). Fungal strains.…”