Mould growth criteria and design avoidance approaches in wood-based materials - A systematic review

This paper presents a systematic literature review about the development of criteria and models representing mould growth in wood-based materials. First, results from experimental research regarding factors governing mould growth are discussed; afterwards, they are used to analyse the comprehensiveness of current mould models. The review shows substantial discrepancies between criteria reported for mould growth. Moreover, mould models differ with respect to governing factors and their interrelations, applied methodology, experimental set-ups and nutrients, and how they express mould. Lastly, this paper proposes solutions that account for or reduce uncertainties related to the representation and design against mould occurrence.