Indoor mold exposure associated with neurobehavioral and pulmonary impairment: a

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Indoor mold exposure associated with neurobehavioral and pulmonary

impairment: a preliminary report

by PubMed

http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000287875.cfm?

x=b3nyvPh,bvtv58G

Kilburn KH.

University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine,

Environmental Sciences Laboratory, Alhambra, California 91803, USA.

Kilburn@...

Recently, patients who have been exposed indoors to mixed molds,

spores, and mycotoxins have reported asthma, airway irritation and

bleeding, dizziness, and impaired memory and concentration, all of

which suggest the presence of pulmonary and neurobehavioral problems.

The author evaluated whether such patients had measurable pulmonary

and neurobehavioral impairments by comparing consecutive cases in a

series vs. a referent group. Sixty-five consecutive outpatients

exposed to mold in their respective homes in Arizona, California, and

Texas were compared with 202 community subjects who had no known mold

or chemical exposures. Balance, choice reaction time, color

discrimination, blink reflex, visual fields, grip, hearing, problem-

solving, verbal recall, perceptual motor speed, and memory were

measured. Medical histories, mood states, and symptom frequencies

were recorded with checklists, and spirometry was used to measure

various pulmonary volumes and flows. Neurobehavioral comparisons were

made after individual measurements were adjusted for age, educational

attainment, and sex. Significant differences between groups were

assessed by analysis of variance; a p value of less than 0.05 was

used for all statistical tests. The mold-exposed group exhibited

decreased function for balance, reaction time, blink-reflex latency,

color discrimination, visual fields, and grip, compared with

referents. The exposed group's scores were reduced for the following

tests: digit-symbol substitution, peg placement, trail making, verbal

recall, and picture completion. Twenty-one of 26 functions tested

were abnormal. Airway obstructions were found, and vital capacities

were reduced. Mood state scores and symptom frequencies were

elevated. The author concluded that indoor mold exposures were

associated with neurobehavioral and pulmonary impairments that likely

resulted from the presence of mycotoxins, such as trichothecenes.

Publication Types:

Clinical Trial

Controlled Clinical Trial

Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 15143851 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]