Chloroanisoles and Chlorophenols Explain Mold Odor but Their Impact on the Swedish Population Is Attributed to Dampness and Mold

Johnny C. Lorentzen, Stephanie A. Juran, Lena Ernstgård, Mats J. Olsson and Gunnar Johanson
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Johnny C. Lorentzen: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Stephanie A. Juran: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Lena Ernstgård: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Mats J. Olsson: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
Gunnar Johanson: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Integrative Toxicology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: We recently reported that mold odor may be explained by chloroanisoles (CAs) formed by microbial biotransformation of chlorophenols (CPs) in legacy wood preservatives. Here we examine psychophysical aspects of CAs and trace their historic origins in buildings. Our exposure of healthy volunteers shows that 2,4,6-triCA is often perceived as unpleasant, characterized as musty or moldy and is detected at 13 ng/m 3 or lower. Similar concentrations are reported in buildings with odor complaints. Scrutiny of written records reveal that new building construction methods were introduced in the 1950s, namely crawlspaces and concrete slabs on the ground. These constructions were prone to dampness and attack from wood decay fungi, prompting chemical companies and authorities to advocate preservatives against rot. Simultaneously, CPs became household chemicals used for example in indoor paints. When large-scale odor problems evolved, the authorities that once approved the preservatives attributed the odor to hidden mold, with no evidence that substantial microbial biomass was necessary for odor formation. Thereby the public remained unaware of problematic exposure to CPs and CAs. We conclude that the introduction of inappropriate designs of house foundations and CP-based preservatives once ignited and still provide impetus for indoor air research on “dampness and mold”.

Keywords: mold; odor; sick building syndrome; building related illness; asthma; allergy; pesticides; biocides; wood preservatives; indoor air (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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