Growth evaluation of fungi (Penicillium and Aspergillus spp.) on ceiling tiles

The potential for fungal (Penicillium and Aspergillus spp.) growth on four different types of ceiling tiles was evaluated in static chambers. It was found that even new ceiling tiles could support fungal growth when at equilibrium with a relative humidity (RH) as low as 85% and corresponding moisture content (MC) greater than 2.2%. Used ceiling tiles appeared to be more susceptible to fungal growth than new ones. In the 70% RH chamber with wetted tiles under slow-drying, non-equilibrium conditions, fungi could still proliferate as long as the moisture level in the ceiling tiles was adequate. Fungal growth could be limited if the wetted ceiling tiles were dried quickly and thoroughly.