Elainy Fung 11D15, a passionate young scientist is diving into the fascinating world of microbiology! Participating in the NIWA South & East Auckland STEM fair, Eliany’s project is a journey of discovery, innovation, and curiosity that aims is to establish a causal link between mould and flood damaged homes.
Below is an overview of the project.
The projects are open to public viewing with free entry on Friday 23 August, at Howick College.
“The January 2023 floods caused unprecedented rainfall in Tamaki Makaurau. A significant number of residents experienced stormwater mixed with wastewater leaking into their homes, making them inhabitable. People in social housing may not have the same economic resources to remediate flood damaged homes. We want to compare the presence of mould in previously flood damaged homes and unaffected homes. There is a higher percentage of people living in homes with poor heating and ventilation in the flood damaged area of Māngere in the Te Ararata catchment. The damage done to the housing of the Māngere area has impacted the infrastructure of the housing, which means higher humidity rates. Winter temperatures and poor ventilation has been a contributory factor in mould growth.
The aim is to establish a causal link between mould and flood damaged homes.
Through the project, we hope to raise awareness of the cause of the mould so that residents can be educated and take preventative actions. Climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding. Understanding what creates pathogenic mould is a very topical subject in preventative health in New Zealand.”
