Abstract
Fungal contamination on sash windows was examined. Mold counts were highest on the inside lower bead, followed by the rail. The counts on all parts of the sash windows examined were higher in winter than in summer. For example, the averages on the inside lower bead of the windows increased by about sevenfold in winter, and were about 0.6 times higher than on the lower bead of bathroom doors. In both summer and winter, Cladosporium was predominant followed by Aureobasidium.
This fungal contamination on sash windows seems to be promoted by condensation depending on low outside temperatures in winter. Mold counts on sash windows affected by condensation every day were about 37 times higher than on windows not affected by condensation. A marked correlation between mold counts in summer and winter was also observed. This fungal contamination in winter is thought to persist until summer.
More fungal contamination was found on sash windows with adherent dirt than on windows on which dirt was not detected. Specifically, much of the dirt on the inside lower bead was thought to consist of fungal hyphae.
