Microbial growth and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from carpet and drywall under elevated relative humidity conditions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microbes can grow in indoor environments if moisture is available, and we need an improved understanding of how this growth contributes to emissions of microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs). The goal of this study was to measure how moisture levels, building material type, collection site, and microbial species composition impact microbial growth and emissions of mVOCs. We subjected two common building materials, drywall, and carpet, to treatments with varying moisture availability and measured microbial communities and mVOC emissions.

Results

Fungal growth occurred in samples at >75% equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) for carpet with dust and >85% ERH for inoculated painted drywall. In addition to incubated relative humidity level, dust sample collection

SUBMITTER: Haines SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8524935 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature