TY - JOUR

T1 - Evaluating mould colonisation and growth on MDF panels modified to sequester Volatile Organic Compounds

AU - Stefanowski, Bronia

AU - Ormondroyd, Graham

AU - Curling, Simon

PY - 2016/12

Y1 - 2016/12

N2 - The increased effort to improve energy efficiency, has led to improved “air-tightness” of buildings, therefore leading to a reduction in ventilation. This results in an increase in concentration of indoor air pollutants, namely formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are suspected to contribute to “sick building syndrome” (SBS). There has been considerable research into the reduction of emissions via modification of current construction products. One modification is to use solid additives, “scavengers” in wood-based panels. This paper examines the effects of these scavengers on mould growth and the absorption of the VOCs; toluene, limonene and formaldehyde. The effects of the sorption of VOCs on the colonisation and growth of different mould species on modified MDF panels were also studied. It was shown that modified boards absorbed the 3 VOCs tested and this absorption did effect mould growth with differences observed in species present and in succession of mould colonisation.

AB - The increased effort to improve energy efficiency, has led to improved “air-tightness” of buildings, therefore leading to a reduction in ventilation. This results in an increase in concentration of indoor air pollutants, namely formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are suspected to contribute to “sick building syndrome” (SBS). There has been considerable research into the reduction of emissions via modification of current construction products. One modification is to use solid additives, “scavengers” in wood-based panels. This paper examines the effects of these scavengers on mould growth and the absorption of the VOCs; toluene, limonene and formaldehyde. The effects of the sorption of VOCs on the colonisation and growth of different mould species on modified MDF panels were also studied. It was shown that modified boards absorbed the 3 VOCs tested and this absorption did effect mould growth with differences observed in species present and in succession of mould colonisation.

KW - MDF

KW - Mould growth

KW - Colonisation

KW - scavengers

KW - VOCs

U2 - 10.1080/20426445.2016.1216052

DO - 10.1080/20426445.2016.1216052

M3 - Article

VL - 7

SP - 188

EP - 194

JO - International Wood Products Journal

JF - International Wood Products Journal

SN - 2042-6445

IS - 4

ER -