Laboratory study to determine the critical moisture level for mould growth on building materials

• Published in: International biodeterioration & biodegradation Vol. 73; pp. 23 - 32
• Main Authors: Johansson, Pernilla, Ekstrand-Tobin, Annika, Svensson, Thomas, Bok, Gunilla
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2012
• Subjects: Ambient air; Aspergillus; Aspergillus versicolor; Atmospheric humidity; Aureobasidium pullulans; Bacteria (microorganisms); building construction; Building material; Building materials; Cladosporium; Cladosporium sphaerospermum; Critical moisture level; Eurotium; Eurotium herbariorum; Fungi; fungus; growth rate; Gypsum; Gypsum board; High relative humidities; Humidity conditions; inoculation; laboratory method; Laboratory studies; Microbial growth; moisture content; Moisture determination; Moisture level; Mold; Mold resistance; Molds; Mould growth; Penicillium chrysogenum; Relative humidity; spore; Stachybotrys chartarum; Temperature and relative humidity; temperature effect; Test method; Wood-based materials; Building material; Relative humidity; Critical moisture level; Mold resistance; Mold

The susceptibility of building materials to mould growth varies. Some are tolerant to high relative humidity in the ambient air without mould growth occurring, while others are less tolerant, and mould can grow in relative humidity as low as 75%. Within a building, constructions are exposed to diffe...