WHO Working Group Report on IAQ: dampness and mold

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For your information... Cutz, CIHModerator, Flood Relief Aid List-Forwarded Message Attachment--Subject: WHO Working Group Report on IAQ: dampness and moldFrom: kkirkland@...Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:14:59 -0400

In

October 2007 WHO convened a working group charged with Development of WHO

Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould. The report of that

working group has now been published. This report is not a copy of the new WHO

Guidelines but only the report of the working group. Apparently, the guidelines

will be forthcoming at some point in the future. The abstract is copied below

and the entire document can be accessed at http://www.euro.who.int/document/e91146.pdf

World

Health Organization

Regional

Office for Europe

ABSTRACT

Microbial

pollution is one of the key constituents of indoor air pollution. It consists of

hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi, and in particular filamentous fungi

(moulds) growing indoors when sufficient moisture is available. Health problems

associated with moisture and biological agents include increased prevalence of

respiratory symptoms, allergies, and asthma as well as perturbation of the

immunological system. Based on the extensive review of the scientific evidence,

this WHO working group identified the main health risks due to excess moisture,

associated with microbial growth and contamination of indoor spaces. It also

formulated WHO guidelines for protecting public health, recommending that

persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building

structures should be prevented (or minimized) as they may lead to adverse

health effects.

Introduction

Background

Scope

and purpose

Discussion

Scope

of the guidelines

Critical

review of draft chapters

Conclusions

Summary

of the health risk evaluation

Recommendations

Annex

1. Table of contents for draft 1 of the background material

Annex

2. Participants

H. Kirkland

Executive Director

Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics

1010 Vermont Ave., NW #513

Washington, DC 20005

FAX

http://www.aoec.org

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SOURCE: OCC-ENV-MED-L Digest for Thursday, September 18, 2008

[Guest guest]

In October 2007 WHO convened a working group charged with Developmentof WHO Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould. Thereport of that working group has now been published. This report isnot a copy of the new WHO Guidelines but only the report of theworking group. Apparently, the guidelines will be forthcoming at somepoint in the future. The abstract is copied below and the entiredocument can be accessed at

http://www.euro.who.int/document/e91146.pdf

World Health OrganizationRegional Office for Europe ABSTRACT Microbial pollution is one of the key constituents of indoor airpollution. It consists of hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi,and in particular filamentous fungi (moulds) growing indoors whensufficient moisture is available. Health problems associated withmoisture and biological agents include increased prevalence ofrespiratory symptoms, allergies, and asthma as well as perturbation ofthe immunological system. Based on the extensive review of thescientific evidence, this WHO working group identified the main healthrisks due to excess moisture, associated with microbial growth andcontamination of indoor spaces. It also formulated WHO guidelines forprotecting public health, recommending that persistent dampness andmicrobial growth on interior surfaces and in building structuresshould be prevented (or minimized) as they may lead to adverse healtheffects.

....