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Mould growth in energy efficient buildings: Causes, health implications and strategies to mitigate the risk

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  • Brambilla, Arianna
  • Sangiorgio, Alberto

Abstract

Today, buildings still account for almost half of the global energy consumption and carbon emission. This highlights the necessity to increase energy efficiency requirements worldwide in a common effort to reduce the construction sector's impacts on the environment. The current energy policies are driving toward a design that relies on airtight and highly insulated envelopes. As a consequence, energy efficient houses are found to have insufficient indoor air change rates, impacting on the indoor air quality and resulting in higher latent loads. The increased indoor humidity, coupled with the rising trend to use bio-based construction materials, can easily support mould growth and facilitate indoor organic proliferation. It has been estimated that the proportion of buildings damaged by mould is 45% in Europe, 40% in the USA, 30% in Canada and 50% in Australia, highlighting the extent of this issue. Beyond the economic loss due to the remediation works needed to rectify a buildings degradation due to fungi, mould also has significant adverse health effects on the building occupants. Data show that the occurrence of asthmatic symptoms is higher in new energy efficient buildings with low ventilation rate. This paper investigates the effects of building sustainably on the indoor environment in relation to the risk of mould growth. Favourable conditions for growth, causes of growth, effects on health as well as possible solutions are addressed. The conclusions are a step forward toward a more precise and detailed comprehension of mould growth to support policymakers and promote sustainable housing standards.

Suggested Citation

  • Brambilla, Arianna & Sangiorgio, Alberto, 2020. "Mould growth in energy efficient buildings: Causes, health implications and strategies to mitigate the risk," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:132:y:2020:i:c:s1364032120303841
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2020.110093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mendell, M.J. & Smith, A.H., 1990. "Consistent pattern of elevated symptoms in air-conditioned office buildings: A reanalysis of epidemiologic studies," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 80(10), pages 1193-1199.
    2. Roberts, Simon, 2008. "Effects of climate change on the built environment," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 4552-4557, December.
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    1. Eleonora Laurini & Mariangela De Vita & Pierluigi De Berardinis, 2021. "Monitoring the Indoor Air Quality: A Case Study of Passive Cooling from Historical Hypogeal Rooms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, April.
    2. Lisa Coulburn & Wendy Miller, 2022. "Prevalence, Risk Factors and Impacts Related to Mould-Affected Housing: An Australian Integrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Alexander Rieser & Rainer Pfluger & Alexandra Troi & Daniel Herrera-Avellanosa & Kirsten Engelund Thomsen & Jørgen Rose & Zeynep Durmuş Arsan & Gulden Gokcen Akkurt & Gerhard Kopeinig & Gaëlle Guyot &, 2021. "Integration of Energy-Efficient Ventilation Systems in Historic Buildings—Review and Proposal of a Systematic Intervention Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Hélène Niculita-Hirzel, 2022. "Latest Trends in Pollutant Accumulations at Threatening Levels in Energy-Efficient Residential Buildings with and without Mechanical Ventilation: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    5. Xueyan Zhang & Jingyi Liang & Beibei Wang & Yang Lv & Jingchao Xie, 2020. "Indoor Air Design Parameters of Air Conditioners for Mold-Prevention and Antibacterial in Island Residential Buildings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-16, October.

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