IS THERE ANY NEW INFORMATION ON THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF MOLD?
Good question! I reviewed the literature beginning January, 2007 and found relatively few new studies on the health effects of fungi and nothing that presented any unusual effects that we have not already discussed in the past. The documentation that mold and dampness can cause respiratory illness (runny or stuffy nose, itchy eyes, asthma, possibly hypersensitivity pneumonitis) has been confirmed. Mycotoxin research continues to focus on laboratory animal research and these studies still have not provided evidence that mold growth in houses leads to exposure to sufficient mycotoxin to cause illness.
I did find several especially interesting studies on mold and health. The most interesting new information was presented by Mudari and Fisk (2007), who analyzed existing literature on asthma related to dampness and mold in homes, schools, offices and institutional buildings, and report that 21 percent of existing asthma is attributable to these conditions. This results in an economic burden of $2.1–4.8 billion annually in the United States.1 Another publication from Fisk and his group determined (from existing literature) that building dampness and mold are related to 30–50 percent increases in asthma and other respiratory symptoms.2 These studies reinforce the importance keeping houses dry and free of mold growth.
Depression is one of the symptoms often reported by those who believe they have a mold-related problem. A new study suggests that such depression is related to lack of control over the environment and health status independent of conditions in the home.3 This is an indication that “mold toxins” are not causing the depression, but rather the perception of being out of control. Depression may also result from exacerbation of asthma, which, of course, may be related to mold exposure.
Finally, although not directly associated with health, one paper describes experiments designed to determine the velocity of air flow necessary to dislodge stachybotrys spores from their conidiophores. Results indicate that airspeeds normally occurring indoors are 1,000-fold less than that required to dislodge stachybotrys conidia.4 This in part explains why so few airborne stachybotrys are found even with extensive growth and further supports the hypothesis that indoor mold-related health effects are unlikely to be related to inhalation of stachybotrys spores.
1. Mudarri D, Fisk WJ. Public health and economic impact of dampness and mold. Indoor Air 2007; 17:226-235.
2. Fisk WJ, Lei-Gomez Q, Mendell MJ. Meta-analyses of the associations of respiratory health effects with dampness and mold in homesIndoor Air 2007; 17:284-296.
3. Shenassa ED, Daskalakis C, Liebhaber A, Braubach M, Brown M. Dampness and Mold in the Home and Depression: An Examination of Mold-Related Illness and Perceived Control of One's Home as Possible Depression PathwaysAm J Public Health 2007:AJPH.2006.093773.
4. Tucker K, Stolze JL, Kennedy AH, Money NP. Biomechanics of conidial dispersal in the toxic mold Stachybotrys chartarum. Fungal Genetics and Biology 2007; 44:641-647.
Dr. Harriet Burge is director of aerobiology at EMLab P&K and associate professor and director of the microbiology laboratory at Harvard School of Public Health. Widely considered the leading expert in IAQ, Dr. Burge pioneered the field more than 30 years ago. She has served as a member of three National Academy of Sciences committees for IAQ, including as vice chair of the Committee on the Health Effects of Indoor Allergens.
To submit a question to Dr. Burge, write to her by e-mail at askdrburge@emlab.com. All questions posed to her will receive a reply, although space limitations prevent us from publishing them all. By submitting, you agree that your question and Dr. Burge’s answer may be published in a future edition of IE Connections.
H2O911 Mold Remediaiton |
