Feb. 14, 2005: Report Links Mold And Certain Illnesses
WASHINGTON - A committee of the Institute of Medicine has reviewed all the studies that have been conducted to date on the health effects of exposure to visible mold in buildings. A report on its findings links mold and certain respiratory illnesses.
The committee found enough evidence to conclude that the presence of visible mold on damp building materials is associated with the flare up of asthma symptoms in some asthmatics, as well as coughing, wheezing, and upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people. All of the factors related to dampness - mold, bacteria, dust mites, chemical emissions from wet materials, etc. - may be associated with the onset of asthma and shortness of breath, but the evidence is less certain in these circumstances. Likewise, the presence of either visible mold or damp conditions in general may be linked to lower respiratory tract illnesses in children, but the evidence is not as strong in this case.