Fungal Contamination in Public Buildings: Health Effects and Investigation Methods

2. Health Effects of Indoor Molds (Continued)

2.4.3 Conclusion

As seen in section 2.4.1, several studies have found significant associations between exposure to mold and/or dampness, and irritative and non-specific respiratory symptoms, as well as the exacerbation and development of respiratory diseases such as asthma. Due to limitations in the assessment of both exposure and outcomes, and since in almost all studies to date an independent effect of mold could not be isolated from that of other contaminants associated with dampness, epidemiologic data alone are insufficient to conclude that indoor mold causes respiratory disease. However, such a causal link is highly plausible in view of the fact that exposure to fungi in occupational environments causes allergic and toxic disease and that adverse effects of fungi have also been seen in inhalation studies using animal models.

In the hospital setting, airborne exposure to certain fungi is associated with an increased risk of fungal infection in immunocompromised individuals.

Although further investigation of health effects of indoor fungi by means of improved exposure and health outcome assessment methods are needed to resolve uncertainties, current knowledge supports the need to prevent damp conditions and mold growth and to remediate any fungal contamination in buildings.