Researchers develop new method for determining moldiness of home

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 8, 2004 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time

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www.aaaai.org/media/news%5Freleases/2004/09/090804.stm

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Researchers develop new method for determining moldiness of home,

from the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

MILWAUKEE – Comparing the levels of airborne fungi inside the house

with those found outdoors may provide a method for determining the

moldiness of a home, according to a study found in the September 2004

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). The JACI is the

peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy,

Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

As part of the Inner-City Asthma Study, T. O'Connor, MD, MS,

Boston University School of Medicine, and colleagues measured the

concentrations of airborne fungi inside and outside the homes of 414

mold-sensitive children with moderate to severe asthma in seven low-

income urban communities across the United States. Researchers

analyzed the relation of the concentration of fungi in indoor air to

home characteristics and to the outdoor concentration on the day of

the measurement. The research was done as part of the Inner-City

Asthma Study.

Previous studies have shown that the most common types of airborne

fungi, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus, are

present in outdoor air and in many indoor environments. The current

study found that the levels of these fungi found indoors actually

matched those found outdoors across all seven cities, suggesting that

the outdoor concentration is an important determinant of the indoor

concentration.

Researchers noted:

Higher levels of fungi were significantly more likely to be found in

homes with reported water damage, dampness, or leaks in the past 12

months. This supports the belief that fungi play a role in the

association between home dampness and respiratory symptoms.

Evidence of cockroach infestation in the child's bedroom was found in

homes with higher levels.

Higher levels of fungi were also found in homes containing cats. This

may be the result of fungal growth in a damp litter box or the large

amounts of organic material that cats add to house dust.

Researchers noted that a higher concentration of fungi was less

likely in homes with forced air heating and in homes with higher

bedroom temperatures.

Exposure to airborne fungi may lead to allergic sensitization and

provoke allergy and asthma symptoms. This is the first study to

report on the exposure to airborne fungi in asthmatic children living

in U.S. inner cities, a group with high morbidity and frequent

sensitization to mold. The results of the JACI study may provide a

valuable metric for future epidemiologic investigations of the role

of fungal exposure as a risk factor for disease.

The AAAAI is the largest professional medical specialty organization

in the United States representing allergists, asthma specialists,

clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a

special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.

Established in 1943, the AAAAI has nearly 6,000 members in the United

States , Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an

advocate to the public by providing educational information through

its Web site at www.aaaai.org or the toll-free physician referral and

information line at 1(800) 822-2762.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: This study was published in the peer-reviewed,

scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology, but does not necessarily reflect the policies or the

opinions of the Academy. To receive a copy of the study, please

contact Gardner (jgardner@...) at (414) 272-6071. For more

information and access to the archive of past JACI news releases,

visit the Media Center of the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org.