December 12th, 2017
Using a semi-quantitative mold exposure index, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) investigated 13 college buildings to examine whether building-related respiratory symptoms among employees are associated with environmental exposure to mold and dampness in buildings. We collected data on upper and lower respiratory symptoms and their building relatedness, and time spent in specific rooms with a self-administered questionnaires. Trained NIOSH industrial hygienists classified rooms for water stains, visible mold, mold odor, and moisture using semi-quantitative scales and then estimated individual exposure indices weighted by the time spent in specific rooms. The semi-quantitative exposure indices significantly predicted buildingrelated respiratory symptoms, including wheeze [odds ratio (OR) = 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1–4.5], chest tightness (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.1–4.6), shortness of breath (OR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2–6.1), nasal (OR = 2.5; 95% CI = 1.3–4.7) and sinus (OR = 2.2; 95% CI = 1.2–4.1) symptoms, with exposure–response relationships. We found that conditions suggestive of indoor mold exposure at work were associated with building-related respiratory symptoms. Our findings suggest that observational semi-quantitative indices of exposure to dampness and mold can support action to prevent building-related respiratory diseases.