A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Microbial growth inside insulated external walls as an indoor air biocontamination source
Authors: Pessi Anna-Mari, Suonketo Jommi, Pentti Matti, Kurkilahti Mika, Peltola Kaija,Rantio-Lehtimäki Auli
Publication year: 2002
Journal: Applied and Environmental Microbiology
Journal acronym: AEM
Volume: 68
Issue: 2
First page : 963
Last page: 967
Number of pages: 5
ISSN: 0099-2240
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.68.2.963-967.2002(external)
The association between moisture-related microbial growth (mesophilic fungi and bacteria) within insulated exterior walls and microbial concentrations in the indoor air was studied. The studied apartment buildings with precast concrete external walls were situated in a subarctic zone. Actinomycetes in the insulation layer were found to have increased concentrations in the indoor air. The moisture content of the indoor air significantly affected all measurable airborne concentrations.