Risk for Mould Growth on Hemp-Lime at Different Relative Humidity

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne Johansson ◽  
Kristin Balksten ◽  
Paulien Brigitte Strandberg-de Bruijn
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
European Climate ◽  
Northern European ◽  
Critical Relative Humidity ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Critical Moisture ◽  
Hemp Shiv

Microbial growth often thrives in humid conditions, at high relative humidity. Moulds are complex organisms; many types of mould are able to survive strong variations in humidity and temperature, such as those on building façades. For some building materials a critical relative humidity is determined, which functions as a theoretical threshold; at this (or lower) relative humidity microbial growth will likely not occur. Hemp-lime is a building material that consists of hemp shiv (the woody core parts of the hemp stem) and building lime. It is a material that can be used for walls, and even though it has been used for more than 20 years, thusfar little is known about its critical moisture levels for microbial growth. The aim of this research was therefore to determine at what relative humidity microbial growth occurs on carbonated hemp-lime material, and to study if there is a protective influence of a carbonated lime binder on the hemp shiv. The objective was to study microbial growth on hemp shiv, hemp-lime and on hemp with a thin layer of lime at three relative humidity (75 %, 85 % and 95 %) and at two different temperatures (15°C and 23°C); conditions that could occur naturally in a hemp-lime façade exposed to high rain loads in a northern European climate. Hemp shiv seems to have a relatively low resistance to microbial growth, similar to that of wood. However, because the hemp is protected by lime it can withstand much higher relative humidity without microbial growth occurring on the material. The critical moisture level for hemp-lime seemed to occur between 75 and 85 % RH, while the material was completely without microbial growth at 75 % RH. The lime had a protective effect on the hemp and acted as a mould inhibitor, both over time and with varying temperature and humidity.

Laboratory study to determine the critical moisture level for mould growth on building materials

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 23-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernilla Johansson ◽  
Annika Ekstrand-Tobin ◽  
Thomas Svensson ◽  
Gunilla Bok
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Study ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Moisture Level ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
Critical Moisture

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

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Haines ◽  
Emma C. Hall ◽  
Katarzyna Marciniak ◽  
Pawel K. Misztal ◽  
Allen H. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Organic Compounds ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Species Composition ◽  
Organic Compounds ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Collection Site ◽  
Material Type ◽  
Microbial Species ◽  
Volatile Organic

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 site (adonis p=0.001) and material type (drywall, carpet, adonis p=0.001) drove fungal and bacterial species composition. Increased relative humidity was associated with decreased microbial species diversity in samples of carpet with dust (adonis p= 0.005). Abundant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that accounted for >1% emissions were likely released from building materials and the dust itself. However, certain mVOCs were associated with microbial growth from carpet with dust such as C10H16H+ (monoterpenes) and C2H6SH+ (dimethyl sulfide and ethanethiol). CO2 production from samples of carpet with dust at 95% ERH averaged 5.92 mg hr-1 kg-1, while the average for carpet without dust at 95% ERH was 2.55 mg hr-1 kg-1. Conclusion Microbial growth and mVOC emissions occur at lower relative humidity in carpet and floor dust compared to drywall, which has important implications for human exposure. Even under elevated relative humidity conditions, the VOC emissions profile is dominated by non-microbial VOCs, although potential mVOCs may dominate odor production.

scholarly journals Threshold values for mould growth: Critical moisture level of 21 different building materials

2020 ◽  
Vol 172 ◽  
pp. 20002
Author(s):  
Pernilla Johansson ◽  
Lukas Lång ◽  
Gunilla Bok ◽  
Carl-Magnus Capener
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Test Method ◽  
Moisture Level ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
Specific Product ◽  
Material Choice ◽  
Critical Moisture ◽  
Four Levels ◽  
Specific Material

The susceptibility for mould growth varies among different building materials. One way to describe the susceptibility is the lowest RH at which mould can grow on a specific material, the critical moisture level (RHcrit). Determining RHcrit for materials provide the basis for material choice in designs where moisture and temperature conditions are known. In this study, RHcrit of 21different products were determined according to SIS-TS 41:2014/SPMet 4927. This test method is developed based on the results of a variety of laboratory studies and validated by field studies. Test specimens were inoculated with a suspension containing spores from six different mould fungi and were then incubated in moisture chambers at four levels of RH at 22 °C. After 12 weeks specimens were analysed for mould growth. RHcrit was determined based on the lowest RH at which mould grew on the specimens. RHcrit varied among different products, even between product belonging to a similar group of material, for example, calcium silicate boards or gypsum boards. The results show, and confirm, previous findings that it is not possible to estimate RHcrit for a specific product based on material group. Instead, each product must be tested.

scholarly journals Validation of critical moisture conditions for mould growth on building materials

2013 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 201-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernilla Johansson ◽  
Thomas Svensson ◽  
Annika Ekstrand-Tobin
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
Critical Moisture ◽  
Moisture Conditions

THE FEATURES OF BIODESTRUCTION PROCESSES OF THE SURFACES OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Vasilenko ◽  
Marina Vasilenko ◽  
Elena Goncharova ◽  
Elena Goncharova ◽  
Yury Rubanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Mechanical Action ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Hydraulic Engineering ◽  
Optimal Conditions

The surfaces of building materials of hydrotechnical constructions undergo the process of algae biofouling. The degree of damage depends on the environmental factors that are affect-ed by the level of anthropogenic load areas. Modeling the biofouling process of concrete with algae under laboratory conditions has allowed determining their impact on the building ma-terial, accompanied by changes in chemical and mineralogical composition of the surface of products. The microscopic examination of sample’s surfaces and evaluation of the effective-ness of various ions leaching from building materials shows the results of "algal attack" relat-ed to the acceleration of biodegradation of materials under the influence of aggressive meta-bolic products, mechanical action neoplasms, creating optimal conditions for the development of subsequent aerobic microbial decomposers. To clarify the nature of chemical processes in the system “algocenosis – concrete” the changes of chemical and phase (mineralogical) com-position of the surface layer of concrete sample were studied. The effect that algae produce on hydraulic engineering constructions is due to the fact that these organisms, belonging to phototrophs and standing at the beginning of the food chain, initiate new microbial growth.

THE FEATURES OF BIODESTRUCTION PROCESSES OF THE SURFACES OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTIONS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Vasilenko ◽  
Marina Vasilenko ◽  
Elena Goncharova ◽  
Elena Goncharova ◽  
Yury Rubanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Layer ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Food Chain ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Microbial Growth ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Mechanical Action ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Hydraulic Engineering ◽  
Optimal Conditions

The surfaces of building materials of hydrotechnical constructions undergo the process of algae biofouling. The degree of damage depends on the environmental factors that are affect-ed by the level of anthropogenic load areas. Modeling the biofouling process of concrete with algae under laboratory conditions has allowed determining their impact on the building ma-terial, accompanied by changes in chemical and mineralogical composition of the surface of products. The microscopic examination of sample’s surfaces and evaluation of the effective-ness of various ions leaching from building materials shows the results of "algal attack" relat-ed to the acceleration of biodegradation of materials under the influence of aggressive meta-bolic products, mechanical action neoplasms, creating optimal conditions for the development of subsequent aerobic microbial decomposers. To clarify the nature of chemical processes in the system “algocenosis – concrete” the changes of chemical and phase (mineralogical) com-position of the surface layer of concrete sample were studied. The effect that algae produce on hydraulic engineering constructions is due to the fact that these organisms, belonging to phototrophs and standing at the beginning of the food chain, initiate new microbial growth.

A comparison of hygrothermal simulation results derived from four simulation tools

2021 ◽  
pp. 174425912098876
Author(s):  
Maurice Defo ◽  
Michael Lacasse ◽  
Abdelaziz Laouadi
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Outer Layer ◽  
Growth Index ◽  
Mould Growth ◽  
Simulation Tools ◽  
Assembly Design ◽  
Hygrothermal Simulation ◽  
Moisture Performance ◽  
Wood Frame ◽  
Wall Assembly

The objective of this work was to compare the hygrothermal responses and the moisture performance of four wood-frame walls as predicted by four hygrothermal (HAM) simulation tools, namely: DELPHIN, WUFI, hygIRC and COMSOL. The four wall systems differ only in their cladding type; these were fibreboard, vinyl, stucco and brick. Three Canadian cities having different climates were selected for simulations: Ottawa, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta. In each city, simulations were run for 2 years. Temperature and relative humidity of the outer layer of OSB sheathing were compared amongst the four simulation tools. The mould growth index on the outer layer of the OSB sheathing was used to compare the moisture performance predicted by the respective hygrothermal simulation tools. Temperature profiles of the outer layer of the OSB sheathing were all in good agreement for the four HAM tools in the three locations. For relative humidity, the highest discrepancies amongst the four tools were found with stucco cladding where differences as high as 20% could be found from time to time. Mould growth indices predicted by the four HAM tools were similar in some cases but different in other cases. The discrepancies amongst the different HAM tools were likely related to: the material property processing, how the quantity of wind-driven rain absorbed at the cladding surface is computed and some implementation details. Despite these discrepancies, The tools generally yielded consistent results and could be used for comparing the impacts of different designs on the risk of premature deterioration, as well as for evaluating the relative effects of climate change on a given wall assembly design.

Experimental Study on Hygroscopicity of Rapeseed (Brassica Napus)

2012 ◽  
Vol 479-481 ◽  
pp. 2275-2278
Author(s):  
Ming Jin Yang ◽  
Wu Ming Xu ◽  
Tian Tang ◽  
Ling Yang ◽  
Feng Liu
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Brassica Napus ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Moisture Absorption ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Critical Relative Humidity ◽  
Temperature And Humidity ◽  
Higher Temperature

The hygroscopicity property of the rapeseed at different temperature and humidity was experimental studied in this paper. Tested results show that: the moisture absorption rates increase with the increase of relative humidity at the early period of absorption, and higher temperature leads to earlier reach of moisture equilibrium; the critical relative humidity(CRH) increases with the increase of temperature; the optional relative humidity for safety storage of rapeseed should be controlled less than 60%.

scholarly journals Calculating the Critical Relative Humidity from the Solubility of Electrolyte According to Extended Non-random Two Liquid Model

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (9) ◽  
pp. 943-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingli Wang ◽  
Xiancheng Zhan ◽  
Chaoqun Xiang ◽  
Jia Chen ◽  
Lan Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Liquid Model ◽  
Critical Relative Humidity
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