Re: Aaaarrrggh! - CNN version

[Guest guest]

Mold blamed for breathing problems

Insufficient evidence for other ills, study finds

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/05/25/mold.health.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Respiratory problems, including some asthma, can

be caused by mold, but an extensive study released Tuesday failed to

indict the fungus for a host of other, often major illnesses that

some have sought to associate with it.

" Even though the available evidence does not link mold or other

factors associated with building moisture to all the serious health

problems that some attribute to them, excessive indoor dampness is a

widespread problem that warrants action at the local, state and

national levels, " said Noreen , dean of the School of Public

Health at the University of Michigan.

headed an Institute of Medicine panel that studied the health

effects of mold, which has drawn increased attention in recent years

with the shutdown of a major hotel, delayed openings of schools in

several states and a raft of lawsuits.

The Institute, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said mold

and building dampness do constitute a problem and urged it be

corrected through a range of steps, including changes in how

buildings are designed, constructed and maintained.

" An exhaustive review of the scientific literature made it clear to

us that it can be very hard to tease apart the health effects of

exposure to mold from all the other factors that may be influencing

health in the typical indoor environment, " said .

" That said, we were able to find sufficient evidence that certain

respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthmatics who are

sensitive to mold, are associated with exposure to mold and damp

conditions, " she concluded.

Excessive dampness influences whether mold, as well as bacteria,

dust mites and other such agents, are present and thrive indoors,

the committee noted. In addition, the wetness may cause chemicals

and particles to be released from building materials.

A rare ailment known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis also was

associated with indoor mold exposure in susceptible people.

Preventing indoor dampness

But the committee said it was unable to find evidence that mold is

associated with fatigue, neuropsychiatric disorders or other health

problems that some people have attributed to fungal infestations of

buildings.

The little evidence that is available does not support an

association, the committee said, but it added that because there are

so few studies it cannot rule out a connection.

Molds that are capable of producing toxins do grow indoors, and

toxic and inflammatory effects also can be caused by bacteria that

flourish in damp conditions, the report noted.

The committee said information exists on how to control dampness but

architects, engineers, building contractors, facility managers and

maintenance staff do not always apply this knowledge.

The members called for development of guidelines for preventing

indoor dampness and said they should be promoted nationally. In

addition, building codes and regulations should be reviewed and

modified as necessary to reduce moisture problems, the committee

said.

Lawsuits claiming illnesses from mold in buildings that were not

properly built or cleaned up have multiplied in recent years.

Changes in building codes in the 1970s to make homes more energy

efficient and airtight had the effect of allowing less ventilation

through a house that would dry out a wet wall or floor, which in

turn may have led to more mold damage claims, according to attorneys

involved in some cases.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private institution chartered

by Congress to advise the government on scientific matters. The

study was funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.

[Guest guest]

Mold blamed for breathing problems

Insufficient evidence for other ills, study finds

http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/05/25/mold.health.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Respiratory problems, including some asthma, can

be caused by mold, but an extensive study released Tuesday failed to

indict the fungus for a host of other, often major illnesses that

some have sought to associate with it.

" Even though the available evidence does not link mold or other

factors associated with building moisture to all the serious health

problems that some attribute to them, excessive indoor dampness is a

widespread problem that warrants action at the local, state and

national levels, " said Noreen , dean of the School of Public

Health at the University of Michigan.

headed an Institute of Medicine panel that studied the health

effects of mold, which has drawn increased attention in recent years

with the shutdown of a major hotel, delayed openings of schools in

several states and a raft of lawsuits.

The Institute, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, said mold

and building dampness do constitute a problem and urged it be

corrected through a range of steps, including changes in how

buildings are designed, constructed and maintained.

" An exhaustive review of the scientific literature made it clear to

us that it can be very hard to tease apart the health effects of

exposure to mold from all the other factors that may be influencing

health in the typical indoor environment, " said .

" That said, we were able to find sufficient evidence that certain

respiratory problems, including symptoms in asthmatics who are

sensitive to mold, are associated with exposure to mold and damp

conditions, " she concluded.

Excessive dampness influences whether mold, as well as bacteria,

dust mites and other such agents, are present and thrive indoors,

the committee noted. In addition, the wetness may cause chemicals

and particles to be released from building materials.

A rare ailment known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis also was

associated with indoor mold exposure in susceptible people.

Preventing indoor dampness

But the committee said it was unable to find evidence that mold is

associated with fatigue, neuropsychiatric disorders or other health

problems that some people have attributed to fungal infestations of

buildings.

The little evidence that is available does not support an

association, the committee said, but it added that because there are

so few studies it cannot rule out a connection.

Molds that are capable of producing toxins do grow indoors, and

toxic and inflammatory effects also can be caused by bacteria that

flourish in damp conditions, the report noted.

The committee said information exists on how to control dampness but

architects, engineers, building contractors, facility managers and

maintenance staff do not always apply this knowledge.

The members called for development of guidelines for preventing

indoor dampness and said they should be promoted nationally. In

addition, building codes and regulations should be reviewed and

modified as necessary to reduce moisture problems, the committee

said.

Lawsuits claiming illnesses from mold in buildings that were not

properly built or cleaned up have multiplied in recent years.

Changes in building codes in the 1970s to make homes more energy

efficient and airtight had the effect of allowing less ventilation

through a house that would dry out a wet wall or floor, which in

turn may have led to more mold damage claims, according to attorneys

involved in some cases.

The National Academy of Sciences is a private institution chartered

by Congress to advise the government on scientific matters. The

study was funded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.