Concerns about indoor air quality due to mold growth have increased dramatically in the United States. In the absence of proper moisture management, fungicides need to be developed for indoor use to control mold establishment. An ideal fungicide for prevention of indoor mold growth on wood-based materials needs to specifically prevent spore germination and provide long-term protection under conditions of high humidity. Fungicides intended for indoor use must be nontoxic, nonvolatile, odorless, and hypoallergenic. Multicomponent systems were tested in AWPA soil block tests for inhibition of brown-rot and white-rot fungi, and ASTM standard tests for inhibition of mold fungi and termites. Multicomponent biocide systems combining a borate-base supplemented with voriconazole or thiabendazole, and either thujaplicin, or ethanolamine performed well against two brown-rot fungi, Postia placenta, and Gloeophyllum trabeum, the white-rot fungus, Coriolus versicolor, three mold fungi, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Trichoderma viride, and the subterranean termite, Reticulotermes flavipes (Kollar). We conclude that a multicomponent biocide system containing Bor-A+ supplemented with azoles and either ethanolamine or thujaplicin can protect wood from decay fungi, mold fungi, and termites for interior applications.

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