Climate change is increasingly recognized as a driver of indoor environmental health risks, particularly through the promotion of mould growth, including strains resistant to heat and fungicides. As people spend over 80% of their time indoors, the growing vulnerability of buildings to elevated humidity and moisture poses a significant public health risk. Mould exposure has been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, allergic reactions, cognitive decline, and diminished quality of life—outcomes reflected in rising Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). Most existing buildings lack adequate design features to withstand these changing indoor conditions, highlighting the urgent need for adaptive and proactive interventions.

Innovation is essential to address these challenges. Key priorities are development of simulation tools to predict mould growth, affordable and accurate in-situ diagnostic technologies based on standardised measurement protocols to detect and quantify mould exposure under changing climatic conditions. These tools are key to evidence-based mitigation strategies, enabling improved public health outcomes and reduced healthcare expenditures.

This webinar will focus on recent advancements in low-cost sensor technologies and simulation tools for early detection and forecasting. Experts and researchers will present methodologies applicable in both residential and non-residential settings, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative solutions.

This webinar is organised by the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (www.aivc.org) and facilitated by INIVE.

AGENDA (CET)

• 15:30 | Welcome & Introduction | Wouter Borsboom, TNO, Netherlands
• 15:35 |  How to improve our possibilities to establish, predict and control mould risks? | Maaike le Feber, TNO, Netherlands
• 15:50 | Questions and answers
• 16:00 |  Simulation-Based Prediction of Mould Growth Using Coupled Building and Fungal Models | Klaas de Jonge, University of Ghent, Belgium
• 16:15 | Questions and answers
• 16:25 |  Modelling Mould Growth in Domestic Environments Using Relative Humidity & Temperature | Tamaryn Menneer, University of Exeter, UK
• 16:40 |  Q&A and Closing Remarks
• 17:00 |  End of Webinar

The webinar is free to attend, but registration is required. You can register via the link provided above.