Fungal Ecology: Application in a Forensic Water Loss Assessment

Fungal growth is a common biological condition that is encountered when moisture remains unabated in a structure. While fungi are commonly found in the indoor environment, their proliferation on building materials can impact the comfort and health of building occupants as well as degrade building materials overtime. Fungal spores are ubiquitous and routinely travel inside and outside of the structure through a variety of pathways. The amplification of fungi in the built environment are based upon the presence of a variety of biotic and abiotic factors that create a favorable environment for fungal growth to proliferate. The most important factors that influence fungal growth within a structure are moisture (water availability), nutrient availability, and temperature. Utilizing this knowledge, an evaluation of the fungal growth or fungal ecology, in the area of damage can provide additional insight into the circumstances that led to the water damage in question and help substantiate opinions pertaining to the origin, cause, and duration of a moisture source.