Affiliation:
1. Environmental Health, Science and Engineering , Flinders University , GPO Box 2100, Adelaide 5000 , Australia
2. Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health , The University of Adelaide , 28 Anderson St Thebarton, Adelaide 5031 , Australia
Abstract
Abstract
Concerns regarding indoor air quality, particularly the presence of fungi and moulds, are increasing. The potential for essential oils to reduce, control or remove fungi, is gaining interest as they are seen as a “natural” alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides. This review examines published research on essential oils as a method of fungal control in indoor environments. It was difficult to compare the relative performances of essential oils due to differences in research methods and reporting languages. In addition, there are limited studies that scale up laboratory results and assess the efficacy of essential oils within building environments. However, generally, there appears to be some evidence to support the essential oils clove oil, tea tree oil, oregano, thyme and lemon as potential antifungal agents. Essential oils from heartwood, marjoram, cinnamon, lemon basil, caraway, bay tree, fir, peppermint, pine, cedar leaf and manuka were identified in at least one study as having antifungal potential. Future studies should focus on comparing the effectiveness of these essential oils against a large number of fungal isolates from indoor environments. Studies will then need to focus on translating these results into realistic application methods, in actual buildings, and assess the potential for long-term antifungal persistence.
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health,Pollution,Health(social science)
Reference57 articles.
1. Daisey JM, Angell WJ, Apte MG. Indoor air quality, ventilation and health symptoms in schools: an analysis of existing information. Indoor Air 2003;13(1):53–64.
2. Robbins CA, Swenson LJ, Nealley ML, Kelman BJ, Gots RE. Health effects of mycotoxins in indoor air: a critical review. Appl Occup Environ Hyg 2000;15(10):773–84.
3. Portnoy JM, Kwak K, Dowling P, VanOsdol T, Barnes C. Health effects of indoor fungi. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2005;94(3):313–20.
4. Bird C, Balshaw S, Anderson W. Getting the best answer by asking the right question-case studies in occupational exposure to mould. J Health Saf Res Practice 2012;4:19–27.
5. Arthur R. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health. Institute of Medicine: Committee on Damp Indoor Spaces and Health. Washington, DC, The National Academy Press, 2004: 355. ISBN 0-309-09193-4.
Cited by
27 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献