Issue 30, July 2010

Some building projects use timber in order to improve their green star rating. However, it’s important that we don’t just focus on the  chemical emissions for gaining green star rating points.

Biological emissions can also prove to be hazardous to occupant health and general well-being, particularly for public facilities. This can also lead to a loss of productivity or, in extreme cases, litigation issues.

In a recent project, we consulted on the discolouration of timber at the site of a new public facility. Following subsequent testing and analysis, CETEC was charged with project management of the remediation.

Fungal infected and water damaged timber ceiling

Fungus is a well-known enemy to timber and the construction industry. As part of the natural make-up of timber materials, some levels of fungus will be present. Water damage, which is often inevitable in new construction, amplifies the fungus and compounds the problem for all stakeholders. Because fungus willingly spreads to neighbouring areas through sporulation, tough decisions have to be made as to how to fix the problem. The problem can't be ignored, but should the infected timber be removed or treated? 

All options will have been considered at some point by a construction company, however assessing and actioning the problem in a prompt manner drastically improves the chances of keeping costs down. The onus is on the timber manufacturer and the construction company to continuously check materials for discolouration and evidence of fungal contamination.

Listed below are some of the fungi that we have found in timber during a recent investigatory and remediation project, along with their known effects on the human body.

• Penicillium – some species may cause infection of the cornea, chronic sneezing and runny nose, infection of external ear canal, infection of the nail, and deep tissue infections which can affect major organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys, etc. particularly in sensitive individual.

• Trichoderma – a  type I and III allergen known to cause lung infections and peritonitis.

• Aspergillus fumigatus – common species that causes aspergillosis in immuno-compromised individuals and pro-inflammatory effects in nasal lavage fluid (Stark HJ et al., 2005; 2006).

• Paecilomyces – common environmental mould that can be the causative agents of mycotic keratitis and of hyalohyphomycosis in the immuno-compromised patient, leading to peritonitis.

• Aureobasidium – may cause phaehyphomycosis, keratomycosis, pulmonary mycosis with sepsis, nosocomial meningitis, and peritonitis.

If you want to know more about managing the risks associated with fungi in timber please contact Dr Vyt Garnys or Jack Noonan at CETEC.

	New Faces at CETEC
	Monash 2010 World Environment Day Awards