Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Fungi associated with urea-formaldehyde foam insulation in Canada

  • Published:
Mycopathologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Sixty-eight fungal taxa were identified from samples of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation taken from Canadian residences. Mesophilic taxa were predominant, with Penicillium spp., Trichoderma harzianum and Paecilomyces variotii observed most frequently. Extensive or conspicuous growth also was seen for Hormoconis resinae, Stachybotrys chartarum and Trichoderma viride in some samples. The potential for these fungi to have contributed to the adverse health effects reported in some homes containing UF-foam insulation is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Bamford PC, Norris GLF, Ward G: Flavipin production by Epicoccum sp. Trans Brit Mycol Soc 44:354–356, 1961.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Berk S, Ebert H, Teitell L: Utilization of plasticizers and related organic compounds by fungi. Industr Engng Chem 49:1115–1124, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Betina V: Toxigenic fungi and their occurrence. In: Betina V (ed) Mycotoxins — production, isolation, separation and purification. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984, pp 3–12.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Beuchat LR: Food and beverage mycology. AVI Publ Co, Westport, Connecticut, 1978, p 527.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bowen RP, Shirtliffe CJ, Chown GA: Urea formaldehyde foam insulation: problem identification and remedial measures for wood-frame construction. National Research Council Canada, Building Practice Note no. 23, 1981, p 34.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chown GA, Bowen RP, Shirtliffe CJ: Urea formaldehyde foam insulation. National Research Council Canada, Building Practice Note no. 19, 1981, p 10.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ciegler A, Vesonder RF: Microbial food and feed toxicants: fungal toxins. In: Rechcigl Jr M (ed) CRC Handbook of Foodborne Diseases of Biological Origin. CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1983, pp 57–166.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Cole RJ, Cox RH: Handbook of toxic fungal metabolites. Academic Press, NY, 1981, p 997.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Collins RP: Terpenes and odoriferous materials from microorganisms. Lloydia 39:20–24, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Collins RP: The production of volatile compounds by filamentous fungi. Dev Ind Microbiol 20:239–245, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Collins RP, Halim AF: Characterization of the major aroma constituents of the fungus Trichoderma viride (Pers.). J Agr Food Chem 20:437–438, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Croft WA, Jarvis BB, Yatawara CS: Airborne outbreak of trichothecene toxicosis. Atmosph Environ 20:549–552, 1986.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Domsch KW, Gams W, Anderson T-H: Compendium of soil fungi, Vol 1. Academic Press, London, 1980, p 859.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Dudney CS, Hinkle NF, Becker JM: On the occurrence of fungi in loose-fill attic insulation in typical single family dwellings. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 1982, p 25.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Eggins HOW, Walker V: The decomposition of pharmaceutical emulsions by fungi. West Afr J Biol Chem 7:2–8, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Engel G, Teuber M: Patulin and other small lactones. In: Betina V (ed) Mycotoxins — production, isolation, separation and purification. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984, pp 291–314.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Eppley RM, Mazzola EP, Highet RJ, Bailey WJ: Structure of satratoxin H, a metabolite of Stachybotrys atra. Application of proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. J Org Chem 42:240–243, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Frisvad JC: Expressions of secondary metabolism as fundamental characters in Penicillium taxonomy. In: Kurata H, Ueno Y (eds) Toxigenic fungi — their toxins and health hazard. Proceedings of the mycotoxin symposia held in the Third International Mycological Congress. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1984, pp 98–106.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Gravesen S: Identification and quantitation of indoor airborne micro-fungi during 12 months from 44 Danish homes. Acta allergol 27:337–354, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gravesen S: Identification and prevalence of culturable mesophilic fungi in house dust from 100 Danish homes. Allergy 33:268–272, 1978.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Halim AF, Narciso JA, Collins RP: Odorous constituents of Penicillium decumbens. Mycologia 67:1158–1165, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Hintikka E-L: Human stachybotryotoxicosis. In: Wyllie TD, Morehouse LG (eds) Mycotoxic Fungi, mycotoxins, mycotoxicoses, Vol 3. Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 1978, pp 87–89.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Hyppel A: Finger print of a mould odor. In: Berglund B, Lindvall T, Sundell J (eds) Indoor Air, Vol 3, Sensory and Hyperactivity Reactions to Sick Buildings. Swedish Council for Building Research, Stockholm, Sweden, 1984, pp 443–447.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Ishikawa H, Oki T, Sawada F: [On the antifungal compounds formed by Hypocrea species] Rept Tottori Mycol Inst 10:637–645, 1973 [in Japanese].

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kamińsky E, Libbey LM, Stawicki S, Wasowicz E: Identification of predominant volatile compounds produced by Aspergillus flavus. Appl Microbiol 24:721–726, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Kamińsky E, Stawicki S, Wasowicz E: Volatile flavor compounds produced by molds of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fungi imperfecti. Appl Microbiol 27:1001–1004, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Kauppinen K, Kuuliala O, Björkstén F: Allergic properties of a feed protein of microfungal origin. Clin Allergy 13:64–73, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Kikuchi T, Mimura T, Harimaya K, Yano H, Arimoto T, Masada Y, Inoue T: Volatile metabolite of aquatic fungi. Identification of 6-pentyl-α-pyrone from Trichoderma and Aspergillus species. Chem Pharm Bull 22:1946–1948, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Kozak Jr PP, Gallup J, Cummins LH, Gillman SA: Currently available methods for home mold surveys. II Example of problem houses surveyed. Ann Allergy 45:167–176, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Lustgraaf van der B, van Bronswijk JEMH: Fungi living in house dust. Ann Allergy 39:152, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Moreau C: Moulds, toxins and food. John Wiley and sons, Somerset, New Jersey, 1979, p 477.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Moubasher AH, Mazen MB: Selective effects of three fumigants on Egyptian soil fungi. Trans Brit Mycol Soc 57:447–454, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Mueller G, Heisig W: Die Freisetzung von Stickstoff aus Urea-form durch mikroskopische Pilze. Zentralbl Bakteriol Parasitkde, Abt. 2, 122:275–281, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mull RP, Townley R, Schalz CR: Production of gliotoxin and a second active isolate by Penicillium obscurum Biourge. Am Chem Soc J 67:1626–1627, 1945.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Navarre G, Bailey HE: Paecilomyces, a new spoilage in cosmetic preparations. Am Perfumer Aromatics 70:29–30, 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Nyns EJ, Auquire JP, Wiaux AL: Taxonomic value of the property of fungi to assimilate hydrocarbons. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 34:441–457, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Saito M, Yamanishi T, Tsuruta O: [Studies on the odor substances of fungi Part 1. Identification of the fungal odors produced on the synthetic medium] Rept Natl Food Res Inst 34:67–69, 1979 [in Japanese].

    Google Scholar 

  38. Samson RA: Occurrence of moulds in modern living and working environments. Eur J Epidemiol 1:54–61, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Schwartz A: Mikrobielle Korrosion von Kunststoffen und ihren Bestandteilen. Akademie Verlag, Berlin, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Seifert RM, King Jr AD: Identification of some volatile constituents of Aspergillus clavatus. J Agric Food Chem 30:786–790, 1982.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Solomon WR: Assessing fungus prevalence in domestic interiors. J Allergy Clin Immunol 56:235–242, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Stotzky G, Schenck S: Volatile organic compounds and microorganisms. CRC Critical Rev Microbiol 4:333–382, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Tamimi KM, Hutchinson SA: Differences between the biological effects of culture gases from several species of Trichoderma. Trans Brit Mycol Soc 64:455–463, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Wicklow DT: Interference competition. In: Wicklow DT, Carroll SG (eds) The fungal community. Dekker, New York, 1981, pp 351–375.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Wicklow DT, Shotwell OL: Intrafungal distribution of aflatoxin among conidia and sclerotia of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Can J Microbiol 29:1–5, 1983.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biosystematics Research Centre, Central Experimental Farm, K1A 0C6, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    John Bissett

Authors
  1. John Bissett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bissett, J. Fungi associated with urea-formaldehyde foam insulation in Canada. Mycopathologia 99, 47–56 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436681

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00436681

Key words

Search

Navigation