A novel improved gypsum board having improved antifungal properties is
disclosed. The board comprises a gypsum core, front and back paper
facings and a polymeric antifungal agent effective at inhibiting fungal
growth. A preferred polymeric antifungal agent is polyDADMAC or polyTMMC.
In addition to the polymeric antifungal agent, a non-polymeric antifungal
agent, such as cetyl pyridinium chloride, sodium or zinc pyrithione, or
both, may be included. The polymeric antifungal agent can be present in
the gypsum core and/or on one or both of the paper facings. In addition,
the antifungal agent may be encapsulated in a material or ionically
associated with the polymeric antifungal agent, that releases the
antifungal agent over time and/or upon exposure to moisture. Also
disclosed are methods for preparing the aforementioned improved
antifungal gypsum board.