What are MVOCs?
Some compounds produced by molds are volatile and are released directly into the air. These are known as microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs). Because these compounds often have strong and/or unpleasant odors, they can be the source of odors associated with molds. Exposure to MVOCs from molds has been linked to symptoms such as headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. Research on MVOCs is still in the early phase. The presence of airborne microbial VOCs (MVOCs) may be a more reliable indicator of mold growth in buildings than fungal spores. Approximately 150 air samples from a variety of buildings including schools and commercial space have been evaluated for MVOCs. All buildings were suspected to be contaminated with mold. The data show an average MVOC indoor level of 50 mg/m3 with frequent detection of 2-octen-1-ol. Since MVOCs can diffuse through barriers such as wallboard and plastics, mold contamination can be detected even when visible growth is inacce
