PS from May - Just reread my recent post and see it needs a correction - Paecilomyces grows out yellow on a Petri dish with MEA - not sure what color it would be on wood, if visible. Because it looks like Penicillium under the microscope, my mind jumped to "green."
Marcus, thank you for your response. Yes, you said you would want to know as a homeowner and to have the condition (if there is a condition) remediated. The homeowners would feel the same way -- if they were convinced it was an issue. Since we know that spores are not penetrating into room air...
Hank,
Thank you for your response. Here are couple of points:
A boroscope is fine for black mold but often misses green mold, which is what Paecilomyces is. Further, if it's not a problem (as confirmed by MVOC testing next summer), the homeowners would rather not know about it.
Paecilomyces...
Thanks, Hank. I've run off the Lstiburek piece to read. I understand the point you are making, and my question has always been whether the positive pressure would keep any mold gases in place in the wall cavities - perhaps you are correct, that it probably wouldn't - but I can't get any answer...
Hank, since you know about mold - I've been keeping my eyes lately on the subject of Paecilomyces in wall cavities. I've been finding it in quite a few, where I do culture plate sampling at leak areas. The experience at this one house, where the Paecilomyces has been in virtually every wall...
Hank, I reread your reply and see that I misread the beginning - about logging temperature/humidity. At this time, the concern is just potential MVOCs in room air. The homeowner wants to get the HVAC technology in place and then next summer, when it's a better time to test for MVOCs, we'll work...
Thanks, Hank - but my question was about whether a positive pressure in rooms would keep mold gases in the wall cavities from infiltrating into room air. It was a question about the behavior of gases. Any ideas about that one?
I'm glad you solved your attic issue and thank you for the citations...
265 bits - Thanks for your input. Interestingly, culture plate air samples were taken in every room of the house, as well as in about 10 wall cavities. Paecilomyces was found in all the wall cavities and in none of the rooms. Thus, while your scenario would apply to many houses, it does not seem...
Simon, thank you for your response. Yes, driving diffusion of fresh air with a positive pressure is envisioned, with indoor gases (carbon dioxide, etc.) being driven out as doors are opened and closed.
The question is whether the indoor positive pressure would have any effect on gases in the...
I'm a mold inspector looking for an answer to gases from mold growing in wall cavities of a house. The issue is whether gases penetrate into room air (which I can test for) and what the best approach (short of gutting the house) is to reduce exposure to mold gases in the house.
The two...