Air Quality Sciences (AQS), in conjunction with the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), announces a new test method that measures the ability of newly manufactured building materials to resist mold growth. Once tested, a newly manufactured product receives a 1 to 4 performance rating – 1 being highly susceptible to mold growth and 4 being highly resistant to mold growth.
The Greenguard Environmental Institute will use this rating system to develop product certification criteria for mold resistance as more data becomes available on key construction and furnishing materials.
“The test method that supports the rating system determines microbial resistance of new materials as manufactured and not as installed, soiled, or weathered. As such, the test does not guarantee product performance, since installation, modification of materials, weathering, aging, and building operation and maintenance may impact the microbial resistance of materials,” said Marilyn S. Black, PhD, CEO and chief scientist with AQS.
In the test, Air Quality Sciences conducted a rigorous trial, including a nine-month laboratory study (Phase 1), followed by a year long pilot study of products submitted for testing (Phase 2). Results confirmed and validated the choice of mold, consistency of results from control samples, the time course of mold growth, and that different materials respond differently. Ten manufacturers of insulation, adhesive, flooring, and wallcovering products accepted an invitation to participate in Phase 2 of the study.
The final pilot study report will be available free from the GREENGUARD Web site. A white paper that provides perspective on the usefulness of this new test method and rating system is currently available on the Aerias-AQS IAQ Resource Center Web site.
