住まいや暮らしの変遷とカビ汚染

抄録

A review was undertaken of fungal contamination in indoor environments. Fungal contamination of house dust in carpets and tatami-mats during the summer seemed to have decreased compared to thirty years ago, unlike contamination in winter. Recently, excessively dry indoor environments have been found in the upper stories of condominiums. On the other hand, bathrooms are still the rooms most severely contaminated by fungi. Especially in bathrooms without windows, ventilation and dehumidifying equipment are essential for eliminating fungal contamination.
Air-conditioners and washing machines as new sources of fungal contamination were discussed. Contaminated air-conditioners discharge fungal spores in their output and may promote fungal allergy in users. In the last ten years, manufacturers have attempted to improve the design to reduce fungal contamination. The interior of automatic-type washing machines can become contaminated by mold with dark hyphae. The concentration of mold and dirt was most severe in the upper part of the spine tube and seemed to parallel the quantity of surfactant adhering to the surface of the spine tube. Detergent is thought to promote fungal contamination in washing machines. Effective treatments are thus important for controlling fungal contamination in washing machines, including usage of nutrient-free detergent.