two papers that need more attention to be focused on them..

[Guest guest]

Why is this one (below) being ignored? Because it shows that sick

buildings don't just happen because of some random fluke of nature..

Bull Acad Natl Med. 2005 Jan;189(1):43-51; discussion 52-4.

[Wall relative humidity: a simple and reliable index for

predicting Stachybotrys chartarum infestation in dwellings]

Charpin D, Boutin-Forzano S, Chabbi S, Dumon H, Charpin-Kadouch C.

Service de Pneumologie-allergologie, Hôpital Nord, Marseille.

As the indoor mold Stachybotrys chartarum (SC) has been linked to

serious health disorders, its identification in water-damaged

dwellings is of utmost importance. The aim of this work was to compare

wall relative humidity (RH) measurements with the results of mold

identification studied on 458 samples collected from 100 dwellings.

Mold identification was based on direct microscopic examination of

wall samples collected by the gummed paper technique. Mean (+/- SD)

wall RH (%) was much higher (97.0 +/- 6.1) when SC was identified (30

samples) than when other molds were identified (291 samples, 41.8 +/-

36.9) and when no molds were identified (137 samples, 38.9 +/- 34.8).

There was a direct relationship between wall and room-air RH but the

scatter of results implies that the latter cannot be used as a

surrogate for the former. This study suggests that simple wall RH

measurement can serve as a reliable indicator of SC infestation of

dwellings.

Why is this one (below) being ignored? Because it shows that IAQ

consultants CAN'T just leave wall cavities where they are and full of

mold and call a space remediated because they have sprayed some 'holy

water' in the air and charged the owners (or their insurance company)

$9,999'

Airaksinen M., Kurnitski J., Pasanen P. and Seppänen O., Fungal spore

transport through a building structure. Indoor Air, accepted for

publication. 2003

http://lib.tkk.fi/Diss/2003/isbn9512267756/

excerpts:

" The study carried out laboratory measurements with a full-scale

timber frame structure to

determine penetration of inert particles with size distribution from

0.6 to 4 µm and spores of

Penicillium and Cladosporium through the structure.

Pressure difference over and air leakage through the structure were

varied. Measurements at

moderate pressure differences resulted in the penetration factors

within the range of 0.05 to

0.2 for inert particles, and indicated also the penetration of fungal

spores through the

structure.

The measurements showed that the penetration was highly dependent on

pressure difference over

the structure but not on holes in surface boards of the structure. The

results show that

surface contacts between the frames and mineral wool may have a

significant effect on

penetration. The penetration was approximately constant within

particle size rage of 0.6-2.5

µm, but particles with diameter of 4.0 µm did not penetrate through

the structure at all even

at a higher-pressure difference of 20 Pa, except in the case of direct

flow-path through the

structure.

Results have important consequences for practical design showing that

penetration

of fungal spores through the building envelope is difficult to prevent

by sealing. The only

effective way to prevent penetration seems to be balancing or

pressurizing the building.

In cold climates, moisture condensation risk should be taken into

account if pressure is higher

indoors than outdoors. Determined penetration factors were highly

dependent on the pressure

difference. Mechanical exhaust ventilation needs a special

consideration as de-pressurizing

the building may cause health risk if there is hazardous contamination

in the building

envelope exists.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Measurements at moderate pressure differences allowed

determining penetration factors within the range of 0.05 to 0.2 for

inert particles in a size

range of 0.6-2.5 µm and indicative results with fungal spores

confirmed the penetration

through the wooden floor structure.

Both measurements showed that the penetration was highly dependent on

pressure difference

and not dependent on holes in surface boards of the structure.

The results are likely to show that surface contacts of mineral wool with other

building elements may have an important role on the penetration. "