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Antimicrobial Treatments and Efficacy
Citation:
Menetrez, M. Y. Antimicrobial Treatments and Efficacy. Chapter 13, F. Pacheco-Torgal, S. Jalali, and A. Fucic (ed.), Toxicity of Building Materils. Woodhead Publishing Limited , Cambridge, Uk, ISBN:97808570912:p. 351-390, (2012).
Impact/Purpose:
Book chapter, Toxicity of building materials
Description:
To limit exposure to indoor biological contamination a risk-management approach which employs various antimicrobial treatments can effectively control contaminants and reduce exposure. Antimicrobial treatment of biological contaminants, especially mold in buildings, it is often necessary to control the sources of indoor air pollution, and eliminate potential irritant, allergen, toxin, carcinogen and pathogen exposure to occupants. Antimicrobial agents, called fungicides, sporicides or biocides have long been used to control, prevent, and remediate microbial growth. The antimicrobial efficacy of EPA-FIFRA (Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) registered chemicals and encapsulants, over the counter cleaners, and mechanical devices (such as UV irradiation) to reduce concentrations of mold and bacteria have only recently been investigated. Standard methods to test these control measures have recently been established, and now pertain to a wide set of applications. ASTM 6329-98, (2003) is a standard method to measure efficacy, established and utilized in a wide set of applications. Specific problem applications such as controlling biological growth on gypsum wallboard have been addressed in this chapter from multiple applications such as, antimicrobial cleaners, and paints, and new product developments. Both antimicrobial product efficacy results and testing methodology are summarized.
