Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Sorenson, W.G., Mycotoxins: toxic metabolites of fungi, in
Fungal Infections and Im-
mune Responses
, Murphy, J.W., Friedman, H., and Bendinelli, M., Eds., Plenum
Press, New York, 1993, 469.
Spengler, J.D., Samet, J.M., and McCarthey, J.F., Eds.,
Indoor Air Quality Handbook
,
McGraw-Hill Publishers, New York, 2000, chaps. 45, 46.
Questions
1. What do the terms mold and mildew actually mean?
2. What is the significance of mold reproductive processes and potential human
exposures?
3. Why is the probability that humans will be exposed to mold spores so high?
4. Mold spores, on release, quickly lose their viability. Why? What significance,
if any, does this loss of viability have on human exposures?
5. How do indoor and outdoor airborne mold types and levels compare?
6. Distinguish between hydrophilic and xerophilic mold species.
7. Define water activity. What is its significance in mold growth?
8. Fungi are classified into one of five major divisions. What is the relative role
of each of these groups in relationship to human exposures and related health
effects?
9. What are fungal MVOCs? What significance, if any, do they have?
10. What are mycotoxins? How and why are they produced?
11. How can one be exposed to high mycotoxin concentrations?
12. What are fungal glucans? What is their source?
13. Why are airborne mold levels different when they are measured by cultura-
ble/viable and total mold spore sampling techniques?
14. Characterize airborne mold concentrations in houses; mechanically ventilated
buildings.
15. Why are mold infestations an indoor air quality concern?
16. What allergenic/immunologic diseases are caused by exposure to mold?
17. Why are exposures to
Stachybotrys chartarum
during infancy a public health
concern?
18. Under what conditions may you be exposed to
Stachybotrys chartarum
?
19. What health concerns are associated with exposure to fungal glucans?
20. What are the two primary risk factors for mold infestation of building mate-
rials?
21. How can conditions in a crawlspace affect indoor mold levels?
22. Describe factors that contribute to condensation in building structures and
wall cavities.
23. What is water intrusion? How does it contribute to mold growth?
24. What is the dew point? What is its significance relative to mold-related build-
ing concerns?
