Speakers discussed the 2004 Institute of Medicine report Damp Indoor Spaces and Health, an exhaustive literature review which concluded that excessive indoor dampness and fungal growth are consistently and convincingly associated with respiratory health effects, including asthma.
Furthermore, most of the health indicators were significantly associated with one or more living conditions such as living as a single child, unfavourable indoor air, damp housing condition, maternal smoking during pregnancy or living near a busy road.
Our findings extend the 2004 conclusions of the Institute of Medicine [Human health effects associated with damp indoor environments. In: Damp Indoor Spaces and Health.
Sufficient evidence of association was reported for four outcomes (upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons, i.e., asthma exacerbation) for the two kinds of risk factor considered: exposure to damp indoor environments and presence of molds or other agents in damp indoor environments.
Since allergy and irritation are known to be associated with damp indoor spaces, this could have resulted in erroneously linking dampness and mold with respiratory infections.
The recent Institute of Medicine report on damp indoor spaces and health found sufficient evidence for an association between mold or other agents in damp indoor environments and upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, wheeze, asthma symptoms in sensitized persons, and HP in susceptible persons (Institute of Medicine 2004).
After a review of more than 1,000 pages of testimony and more than 70 scientific articles and books, Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the contention that mold or a damp indoor environment causes illness.
Yes, there are many variables - type of housing stock, form of heating, energy costs, etc - but does using a dehumidifier help to reduce heating/energy costs, as well as reduce the risk of damp indoor air?
After 10 days and the testimony of four experts, Justice Kornreich concluded that while one expert testified mold or damp indoor space caused health problems, "the scientific literature did not support his assertions".
Indoor allergens and damp housing conditions play an important role in the development and exacerbation of respiratory conditions including asthma, which currently affects over 20 million Americans and is the most common chronic disease among children.
