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Applied and Environmental Microbiology, November 1999, p. 4814-4821, Vol. 65, No. 11
Department of Bioscience and
Biotechnology1 and Department of
Mechanical Engineering,2 University of
Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
Received 26 February 1999/Accepted 27 August 1999
There is growing concern about the adverse effects of fungal
bioaerosols on the occupants of damp dwellings. Based on an extensive analysis of previously published data and on experiments carried out
within this study, critical limits for the growth of the indoor fungi
Eurotium herbariorum, Aspergillus versicolor,
and Stachybotrys chartarum were mathematically described in
terms of growth limit curves (isopleths) which define the minimum
combination of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) at which
growth will occur. Each growth limit curve was generated from a series
of data points on a T-RH plot and mathematically fitted by using a
third-order polynomial equation of the form RH = a3T3 + a2T2 + a1T + a0. This
fungal growth prediction model was incorporated within the
ESP-r (Environmental Systems Performance [r
stands for "research"]) computer-based program for transient
simulation of the energy and environmental performance of buildings.
For any specified location, the ESP-r system is able to
predict the time series evolution of local surface temperature and
relative humidity, taking explicit account of constructional moisture
flow, moisture generation sources, and air movement. This allows the predicted local conditions to be superimposed directly onto fungal growth curves. The concentration of plotted points relative to the
curves allows an assessment of the risk of fungal growth. The system's
predictive capability was tested via laboratory experiments and by
comparison with monitored data from a fungus-contaminated house.
0099-2240/99/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1999, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.
Prediction of Toxigenic Fungal Growth in
Buildings by Using a Novel Modelling System
*
Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of
Bioscience and Biotechnology, University of Strathclyde, Royal College Building, 204 George St., Glasgow G1 1XW, Scotland. Phone: 44 (0) 141 548 2531. Fax: 44 (0) 141 553 4124. E-mail:
n.j.rowan{at}strath.ac.uk.
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