Mold exposure and respiratory health in damp indoor environments

Abstract

Almost all modern buildings experience at least minor, and sometimes serious, water damage during their life span. Excess moisture in buildings becomes a critical factor for mold (fungal) proliferation in nutrient-rich environments. As a result, building occupants may be exposed to increased levels of microbial agents such as fungal spores, cell fragments, cell wall components, or toxins. Such exposures may result in various diseases and symptoms, both respiratory and non-respiratory. Respiratory health complaints are common in damp buildings and have been more thoroughly studied than non-respiratory complaints. Respiratory diseases and symptoms which may be produced by exposure to indoor fungi include asthma development, exacerbation of asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, cough, wheeze, dyspnea (shortness of breath), nasal and throat symptoms, and respiratory infections. In addition to these illnesses, rhinosinusitis and sarcoidosis in water-damaged building occupants are also drawing more scientific attention. In this article, we explore the evidence for adverse effects of fungal exposure on respiratory health in damp indoor environments and potential disease mechanisms related to the exposure.

Occupational causes of sarcoidosis

“…Much of the literature on the subject of mold exposure in damp indoor environments has been recently reviewed [1]. An important series of studies by some of these authors has focused on sarcoidosis, as well as other respiratory disorders, occurring in occupants of a historically water-damaged office building.…”

Satratoxin-G from the Black Mold Stachybotrys chartarum Induces Rhinitis and Apoptosis of Olfactory Sensory Neurons in the Nasal Airways of Rhesus Monkeys

“…Acute, shortterm exposure to high airborne concentrations of SG is likely to occur in heavily contaminated environments, or during processes that disrupt nutrient sources for mold, such as would occur during mold remediation procedures (Brandt et al 2006). However, adverse health effects have also been associated with sustained or repeated exposure to damp indoor environments that are contaminated with S. chartarum, as would be expected in the workplace, home, or school (Park and Cox-Ganser 2011). Since the complete spectrum of possible exposures to S. chartarum and its mycotoxins remain poorly understood, it is important to consider the biological effects of exposure to S. chartarum and its mycotoxins via both acute exposure studies and chronic studies that use lower exposure concentrations (Institute of Medicine 2004).…”

Airborne Fungi in Tabriz, Comparing Airborne and Clinical Samples of <italic>A. fumigatus</italic> (2011), Survey and Literature Review

“…and Penicillium Sp. have the highest percentage in aerial microflorain city environments (7,12,13). In Iran, according to the results of the previous researches, Penicillium Sp., Chrysosporium Sp., Cladosporidium Sp., Candida Sp., Fusarium Sp.…”

“…Moreover, the increase in respiratory allergy parallels an increase in air pollution. The most abundant air pollutants such as sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, microbial and fungal microflora (7)(8)(9) in urban areas with high levels of vehicle traffic are a remediable issue.…”