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Fungal colonization of fiberglass insulation in the air distribution system of a multi-story office building: VOC production and possible relationship to a sick building syndromeComplaints characteristic of those for sick building syndrome prompted mycological investigations of a modern multi-story office building on the Gulf coast in the Southeastern United States (Houston-Galveston area). The air handling units and fiberglass duct liner of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system of the building, without a history of catastrophic or chronic water damage, demonstrated extensive colonization with Penicillium spp and Cladosporium herbarum. Although dense fungal growth was observed on surfaces within the heating-cooling system, most air samples yielded fewer than 200 CFU m-3. Several volatile compounds found in the building air were released also from colonized fiberglass. Removal of colonized insulation from the floor receiving the majority of complaints of mouldy air and continuous operation of the units supplying this floor resulted in a reduction in the number of complaints.
Document ID
20040173224
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Ahearn, D. G.
(Georgia State University Atlanta 30302-4010, United States)
Crow, S. A.
Simmons, R. B.
Price, D. L.
Noble, J. A.
Mishra, S. K.
Pierson, D. L.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1996
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of industrial microbiology
Volume: 16
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0169-4146
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Program Environmental Health
NASA Center JSC
NASA Discipline Environmental Health
NASA Discipline Number 04-10

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