WHO, CDC, EPA - indoor dampness and mold is dangerous to
health
Posted by S. Brinchman on 5/17/10
The following is pertinent to all attorneys handling mold
exposures, physicians, and mold-ill people, as EPA and CDC
have changed their website information concerning mold and
health, based on the latest research, including that of the
World Health Organization (2009) and IOM (2004). WHO has
produced a very significant document on indoor dampness and
mould (mold) that changes the current authoritative,
medical thinking on illness caused by these exposures.
In particular:
1. US EPA: Biological agents in indoor air are known to
cause three types of human disease: infections, where
pathogens invade human tissues; hypersensitivity diseases,
where specific activation of the immune system causes
disease; and toxicosis, where biologically produced
chemical toxins cause direct toxic effects.In addition,
exposure to conditions conducive to biological
contamination (e.g., dampness, water damage) has been
related to nonspecific upper and lower respiratory
symptoms. Evidence is available that shows that some
episodes of the group of nonspecific symptoms known
as "sick building syndrome" may be related to microbial
contamination in buildings...At least one case of
neurotoxic symptoms possibly related to airborne mycotoxin
exposure in a heavily contaminated environment has been
reported."
[Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health
Professionals (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html)]
2. WHO (July, 2009) finds indoor dampness is associated
with development of new cases of asthma in previously
healthy, nonatopic persons, perturbation of the immune
system, and much more, based on a meta-analysis of new
research - see Chapter 4 of WHO Guidelines to Indoor Air
Quality: Dampness and Mould (2009).
http://www.euro.who.int/document/E92645.pdf
(see more, below)
3. CDC cites WHO Guidelines and IOM findings, considers
indoor mold and dampness a public health threat that causes
disease.
New CDC and WHO resources and stance on mold and health,
mold solutions:
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (recently
updated mold info, Feb. 2010) to include:
"In 2004 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found there was
sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with
upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in
otherwise healthy people; with asthma symptoms in people
with asthma; and with hypersensitivity pneumonitis in
individuals susceptible to that immune-mediated condition.
The IOM also found limited or suggestive evidence linking
indoor mold exposure and respiratory illness in otherwise
healthy children.
In addition, in 2004 the IOM found sufficient evidence to
link exposure to damp indoor environments in general to
upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in
otherwise healthy people and with asthma symptoms in people
with asthma. The IOM also found limited or suggestive
evidence linking exposure to damp indoor environments in
general to shortness of breath, to respiratory illness in
otherwise healthy children and to potential development of
asthma in susceptible individuals. In 2009, the World
Health Organization issued additional guidance, the WHO
Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould."
(Mold and Your Health, Centers for Disease Control,
CDC.gov/mold)
Key info from World Health Organization:
Abstract
"Microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air
pollution. It is caused by hundreds of species of bacteria
and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mould), growing
indoors when sufficient moisture is available. This
document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific
evidence on health problems associated with building
moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that
the most important effects are increased prevalences of
respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as
perturbation of the immunological system. The document also
summarizes the available information on the conditions that
determine the presence of mould and measures to control
their growth indoors. WHO guidelines for protecting public
health are formulated on the basis of the review. The most
important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the
prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and
microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building
structures." (WHO guidelines for indoor air quality :
dampness and mould, 2009; read it online at:
http://www.euro.who.int/document/E92645.pdf ; purchase it
at
http://www.euro.who.int/InformationSources/Publications/Cata
logue/20090629_4
Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold (2008)
http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/content/view/1984/63/(the
actual electronic link to the temporarily free online book,
to left)(American Industrial Hygiene Assn. standard for
mold and health, testing, cleanup, prevention, etc.)
www.aiha.org
Excellent source of reliable info: The Center for School
Mold Help, a national, educational, 501c3 nonprofit:
http://schoolmoldhelp.org/ (website, with 2,000 articles on
topics of mold and health, prevention, remediation,
solutions)
Susan Brinchman
Director, Center for School Mold Help
www.schoolmoldhelp.org
The Center for School Mold Help
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