Microbial VOC emissions from mould growth on building materials under various relative humidity conditions

Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC) emissions were investigated on six typical Canadian building materials with and without mould growth under various relative humidity conditions. The impact of relative humidity on material emissions was also evaluated. Specimens were incubated in an incubation chamber under constant environmental conditions, volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions and in-situ mould growth on building materials were monitored. The identified MVOCs were mostly ketones, terpenes including terpenoids and alcohols, whose evolutions were correlated with mould growth activity. Experimental results also confirmed that high relative humidity could promote mould growth activity and increase VOC/MVOC emissions from the building materials.