Mould and microparticles

HouseTest have been working with the Danish National Research Centre for the Working Environment on a project about microparticles

Moulds growing in buildings produce and emit spores into the indoor air.

Moulds, however, can also emit large quantities of microparticles, which are much smaller than spores.

Because they are so small, these particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and may be responsbile for many of the health issues experienced by people occupying damp and mouldy buildings.

These particles cannot be identified by traditional methods used for detecting mould, such as those still used by many in the surveying industry.

A pilot project using HouseTest’s DNA analysis showed that microparticles from some mould species contained DNA.

Together with Anne Mette Madsen from the Danish National Research Centre for The Working Environment, HouseTest has been analysing the DNA content of microparticles emitted from a large number of mould species to see which species can be detected.