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Building-related respiratory
symptoms can be predicted with semi-quantitative indices of exposure to
dampness and mold.
Park JH,
Schleiff PL,
Attfield MD,
Cox-Ganser JM,
Kreiss K.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of
Respiratory Disease Studies, Field Studies Branch, Morgantown, WV 26505,
USA. gzp9@cdc.gov
Using a semi-quantitative mold exposure index, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated 13 college buildings to
examine whether building-related respiratory symptoms among employees are
associated with environmental exposure to mold and dampness in buildings. We
collected data on upper and lower respiratory symptoms and their
building-relatedness, and time spent in specific rooms with a
self-administered questionnaires. Trained NIOSH industrial hygienists
classified rooms for water stains, visible mold, mold odor, and moisture
using semi-quantitative scales and then estimated individual exposure
indices weighted by the time spent in specific rooms. The semi-quantitative
exposure indices significantly predicted building-related respiratory
symptoms, including wheeze [odds ratio (OR) = 2.3; 95% confidence interval
(CI) = 1.1-4.5], chest tightness (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1-4.6), shortness of
breath (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2-6.1), nasal (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.3-4.7) and
sinus (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.2-4.1) symptoms, with exposure-response
relationships. We found that conditions suggestive of indoor mold exposure
at work were associated with building-related respiratory symptoms. Our
findings suggest that observational semi-quantitative indices of exposure to
dampness and mold can support action to prevent building-related respiratory
diseases. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Current air sampling methods have major
limitations in assessing exposure to mold and other biological agents that
may prevent the demonstration of associations of bioaerosol exposure with
health. Our study demonstrates that semi-quantitative dampness/mold exposure
indices, based solely on visual and olfactory observation and weighted by
time spent in specific rooms, can predict existence of excessive
building-related respiratory symptoms and diseases. Relative extent of water
stains, visible mold, mold odor, or moisture can be used to prioritize
remediation to reduce potential risk of building-related respiratory
diseases. From a public health perspective, these observational findings
justify action to correct water leaks and repair water damage in order to
prevent building-related respiratory diseases. This approach can also be a
basis for developing practical building-diagnostic tools for
water-incursion.
Publication Types:
·
Evaluation Studies
PMID: 15500636 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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