Georgia-Pacific Gypsum recently announced that two of its Dens interior gypsum panel products have passed the industry’s most stringent mold resistance test, the first such products in the industry to do so.

DensArmor Plus High-Performance Interior Panel and DensShield Tile Backer each passed the 12-week test, conducted in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ASTM D 6329 protocol. The test, which is three times longer and much more rigorous than the current industry standard ASTM D3273, was conducted by an independent third party, RTI International, at its facilities in Research Triangle Park, N.C., between February and June 2009.

To date no other gypsum products manufacturer has announced test results showing zero mold growth for 12 full weeks for any product.

According to Susan Raterman, a prominent industrial hygiene consultant in the areas of indoor air quality, mold mitigation and asbestos management, the news that two Dens interior products have passed a rigorous 12-week test is quite noteworthy.

“Both the length of the test and the fact that it used two of the most problematic species of mold found in buildings are indicative of the rigor of this mold resistance performance standard,” said Raterman, founder and president of The Raterman Group Ltd. “These results raise the bar for the entire industry, and further illustrate Georgia-Pacific Gypsum’s leadership in product quality and innovation.”