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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Rae Dawn Comstock, MS1, Robin Lee, MPH2, John Sarisky, MPH, RS1, Hugh Mainzer, DVM, MS3, Allison Stock, PhD4, Clive M Brown, MD, MPH5, and Renee Mijal, MPH6. (1) EHSB, NCEH, CDC, 4770 Buford HWY NE, MS F-28, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, (770) 488-7715, Rcomstock@cdc.gov, (2) EHSB, National Center for Environmental Health - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford HWY NE, MS F-28, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, (3) NCEH/ EHSB, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, MS F-28 4770 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, (4) NCEH/EHH/APRH, CDC, MS E-17, Executive park 6, Atlanta, GA 30341, (5) Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 1600 Clifton Rd, MS-E17, Atlanta, GA 30333, (6) University of Minnesota School of Public Health, MMC 807 Mayo, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Health hazards associated with indoor bioaerosol exposures are not well understood. Investigations of indoor air quality associated with mold growth are often limited to determining the presence or absence of mold. Between 27 August and 12 September, 2001 an investigation of indoor air quality associated with mold growth was performed in a rural North Dakota community. This project illustrates a broader application of a systems based environmental health assessment.
The prevalence of visible mold in the living areas of sampled homes was 64.8% (n=125). This study identified environmental risk factors for mold growth, including the presence of moisture. Environmental antecedents (i.e., underlying causes such as building conditions, maintenance, and design issues) to this critical factor were also evaluated. The presence of visible moisture on crawlspace/basement floors in homes was associated with mold growth (Prevalance Odds Ratio (POR)=3.07 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.38, 6.81). Identified environmental antecedents included wet siding (POR=3.21, CI 1.31, 7.85), evidence of subfloor water damage under laundry rooms (POR=3.24, CI 1.21, 8.72), and the distance between the crawlspace/basement floor and the subfloor (p=0.012).
Utilizing a systems based approach in this way identified environmental antecedents of risk factors for mold growth. With this information, practical interventions to reduce the presence of moisture and mold in the living environment were developed. A reduction in exposure to mold may decrease the frequency and severity of adverse health outcomes through an improvement in indoor air quality.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Air Quality, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.