RESTORATION
Managing mould
On the back of growing awareness of the health risks associated with mould exposure, building owners and facility managers should be taking a more proactive approach to mould remediation to ensure the well-being of employees and building occupants
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Words Cameron Cooper
s a respected occupational health scientist who has worked around the world, Dr Brad Prezant has watched with interest at how a combination of flooding, high ambient humidity and poor indoor moisture management have in recent years caused significant mould problems in buildings. Dr Prezant, managing director of consultancy Prezant Environmental, says as part of the debate about creating more resilient buildings, there must also be greater awareness of “vulnerable” construction materials that can contribute to a higher risk of moisture and mould damage in buildings. In addition, there may be a need to fine-tune the restoration process following events such as floods. 46 INCLEAN May / Jun 2023
“The way you build the building can have a big impact on its vulnerability, the fungal growth,” says Dr Prezant, co-author of the book Recognition and Evaluation and Control of Indoor Mould. For example, the widespread use of cheaper, composite wood products in construction, rather than the solid hardwood joists and bearers of the past, can leave a building exposed to mould and water damage. “People can’t afford to build with solid Australian hardwood anymore, so they build with composite wood products. They’re good products and dimensionally stable,” Dr Prezant says. “But if they get wet, it’s a big problem. We’re not going to change the way buildings are built. The evolution from solid wood to plywood to