Against: Volatil organic compounds of fungal origin have an impact on health

Fungal growth in dwellings, particularly when dampness is recurrent, is a recognized problem. In contrast, the impact of volatile organic compounds released by molds remains poorly known and suscite debate. Whatever the technique used to detect these components, it seems that volatile organic compounds released by molds are not a reliable tool to detect hidden mold sources. Most of molds grow on substrates which are too poor in nutriments to favor the mold's development and consequently barely detectable levels of the emitted compounds are generally detected (approximate to 0.1 mu g/mL). Moreover, mold does not produce volatile organic compounds continuously but according to their stage of development and the nature and quantity released are depending on the nature of substrate. Another point is that volatile organic compounds emitted by other sources than mold (up to 100-1000 higher concentrations) are detected in the indoor environment (furniture's, paints, wall paper...) and alter the analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.