The energy efficiency performance requirements of the Australian National Construction Code have been regularly enhanced since 2003 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2010 research has increasingly raised a concern about high air moisture content, moisture accumulation and mould growth. Coincidently, in Australia, asthma is the leading cause of disease in children aged 0–14 years, accounting for 17.9% of the total burden in boys and 18.6% in girls. Many researchers have supported a connection between damp housing and childhood respiratory symptoms. The contemporary code compliant houses in Australia may have inadvertently created ideal interior environments that promote mould growth. If the built environment is promoting mould growth, leading to sick building syndrome, it is a matter of serious concern, resulting from the design or technical flaws in the building fabric. This paper attempts to bridge the gap between architectural and medical science perspectives in this area of study.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	condensation, mould, asthma, indoor environmental quality
Research Division:	Built Environment and Design
Research Group:	Architecture
Research Field:	Architectural science and technology
Objective Division:	Construction
Objective Group:	Building management and services
Objective Field:	Residential building management and services
UTAS Author:	Nath, S (Mrs Shruti Nath)
UTAS Author:	Dewsbury, M (Dr Mark Dewsbury)
ID Code:	137427
Year Published:	2019
Web of Science® Times Cited:	2
Deposited By:	Architecture and Design
Deposited On:	2020-02-12
Last Modified:	2021-11-16
Downloads:	0