Peter V. Nielsen After a fulfilling career spanning several decades, Peter V. Nielsen announces his retirement. Throughout his journey, he has dedicated his efforts to pioneering research in indoor environmental engineering, particularly in the realms of ventilation, air flow dynamics, and risk assessment. From Danfoss A/S to his tenure at various esteemed institutions worldwide, including the Aalborg University, University of Hong Kong and Syracuse University, every experience has enriched his understanding and passion for the field. As he steps into this new chapter, he is profoundly grateful for the opportunities, collaborations, and recognition, including the esteemed Rockwool Prize and the Order of Knight of Dannebrog. While his formal role may conclude, his commitment to advancing knowledge in environmental indoor air quality remains steadfast. Click here to read more about Nielsen's astounding career.
Gabriel Bekö is an associate professor at the Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark and an elected member of the Academy of Fellows of the International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate, is pleased to share the launch of his book, Reflections on the World of Human Inspirations: In Search of Authenticity, available at Cambridge Scholars Publishing. Inspiration is the initial spark that puts us on track towards our beliefs, attitudes, and actions. Through the study of human inspirations, Bekö elaborates on a variety of issues and offers an intriguing look at the inflation of inspirations in our rapidly changing societies and its global implications.
Johnny Lorentzen
Mold Odor from Wood Treated with Chlorophenols despite Mold Growth That Can Only Be Seen Using a Microscope. The present work addresses a confusion between microorganisms and pesticides that is deeply rooted in indoor air research. We previously reported that indoor odorous chloroanisoles (CAs) are still being emitted due to microbial methylation of hazardous chlorophenols (CPs) present in legacy wood preservatives. Meanwhile, Swedish researchers reported that this malodor, described since the early 1970s, is caused by hazardous mold. Here, we examined to what extent CP-treated wood contains mold and if mold correlates with perceived odor. We found no studies in PubMed or Web of Science addressing this question. Further, we investigated two schools built in the 1960s with odor originating from crawlspaces. No visible mold was evident in the crawlspaces or on the surfaces of treated wood samples. Using a microscope, varying amounts of mold growth were detected on the samples, all containing both CP(s) and CA(s). Some samples smelled, and the odor correlated with the microscopic amount of mold growth. We conclude that superficial microscopic mold on treated wood suffices produced the odor. Further, we argue that CPs rather than mold could explain the health effects reported in epidemiological studies that use mold odor as an indicator of hazardous exposure.
Johnny C. Lorentzen is grateful to his co-authors Olle Ekberg,Maria Alm, Folke Björk, Lars-Erik Harderup and Gunnar Johanson. Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 395: https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020395
Marcel Schweiker, RWTH Aachen University
Don’t miss out and join us as we explore the mysteries of bedtime! Are you curious about the interactions between your bedroom environment and your routine and behavioral reactions at bedtime? Join our Pre-Study Questionnaire on Behavioral Reactions to Environmental Stressors at Bedtime! We’re diving deep into how individuals respond to stressors like ambient noise and temperature when the lights go out to uncover how these reactions are linked to your chronotype, your background, your habits and other social and gender differences.
Questionnaire Duration: 15-20 minutes, available in both English and Spanish
Compensation: Participate for a chance to win a €50 voucher from Amazon or a similar e-commerce platform
Access: The questionnaire is available online here: https://www.soscisurvey.de/BedtimeBehaviours/
For questions related to the study please contact Ms. Reem Al Sayed, M.Sc.: HLS_survey@ukaachen.de
