Houses with mould problems : Comparison of two methods for verifying mould growth in buildings

Abstract: During the last ten years, the adverse health effects in upper respiratory system and irritation symptoms have become increasingly evident in residents living in moisture damaged houses with dampness and mould growth. In the mid of 1995, Finnish environmental health authorities faced the problem with an increasing demand for investigations to verify the microbial growth in suspected buildings and thereby taking appropriate control measures to protect the health of occupants. As an extension of an earlier relatively onerous method for quantification of microbial growth on surfaces, the Food Laboratory in Porvoo developed an applied direct streak method (DSM) aiming at a facilitation of the method verifying the presence of mould growth. The method was established in close collaboration with health inspectors. The DSM was compared to the original culture method (CM) and repeatability and reproducibility were good or very good. The DSM is a semi-quantitative method and enables the health inspectors to take surface samples without breaking the building structures and without being restricted to stiff surfaces. The results can demonstrate that the material is damaged by active viable mould growth. The DSM provides a powerful and useful tool for health inspectors to verify mould growth in buildings and it supports them to make decisions that are needed to protect the health of occupants. The cost of DSM is about one fourth of that of the more elaborate CM. The DSM is being increasingly used in Finland.