Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 123
8. Control Moisture
4. Add Pozzolanic Binders
Moisture is the critical trigger for fungal growth.
Ensure the plaster and environment remain dry, as
fungi cannot metabolise polysaccharides without
sustained dampness.
Incorporate metakaolin, silica fume, or 昀氀y ash.
These additives immobilise organic particles within
a denser matrix, reducing fungal access.
5. Use Enzyme Inhibitors
In short it is hypothesised that if we could Minimise
or substitute the food source (polysaccharides),
block its accessibility, and control moisture to
prevent fungal colonisation in plaster we could
actually prevent mould formation in buildings in the
昀椀rst instance.
Add borates or phosphates to inhibit fungal
enzymes (cellulases and amylases) that break down
polysaccharides.
6. Reduce Porosity
Apply superplasticizers and water reducers (e.g.,
Sika® ViscoCrete®) to lower water demand and
porosity, indirectly blocking polysaccharide
degradation by fungi.
If you require an expert let us do
the searching for you
7. Apply Surface Treatments
Use silane/siloxane coatings on plaster surfaces to
repel water and reduce microbial colonisation, even
if polysaccharides remain in the matrix.
Call the Expert Witness free
telephone searchline on
0161 834 0017
Mr Mark Hinnells
Fiduciary Duty – challenges as to whether Trustees
or Directors have met their Fiduciary Duty in
considering ESG, environment or climate change in
investment decisions and risk management. Mark
has a particular interest in pensions and other funds
in multiple jurisdictions.
Climate Change Expert
PhD MSc MA BA
Dr Mark Hinnells is an Energy and Climate
Change Expert, he has over 33 years
academic and consulting experience in
energy policy, energy strategy, project
development and climate finance, and
uses this to undertake expert witness
instructions to aid arbitration, litigation, or
public inquiry.
His expertise covers:
Planning law – where the impact of a planning application on
UK climate change targets may be material. Such proposals
include airports, roads, oil and gas and power generation
proposals. Mark has particular experience with appeals and
public inquiries at airports acting both for airports and Local
Planning Authorities.
Greenwashing – assembling a case against a claim,
or defending the accuracy of claims made by,
financial institutions retailers or producers.
Challenges to Government policy – including under
the Climate Change Act, carbon budgets, policy
impact assessments, efficacy, proportionality, cost
etc
Human rights and climate change – including
where rights are claimed to have been infringed
through lack of appropriate action.
For instructions involving several different
environmental impacts he works closely with Ricardo
Energy and Environment and others.
Email: mark.hinnells@susenco.com | Telephone: 01865 600161 | Website: www.susenco.com
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
121
JUNE 2026