Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #107997

Robert D. Johnson, BS, CMR, Air Quality Division, Washington, D.C. Department of Health, 51 N Street NE, 5th Floor AQD, Washington, DC 20002, 2025352302, bjohnson@dchealth.com

The Washington, D.C. Department of Health, Air Quality Division (AQD) quantified the nature of citizen complaints relating to indoor environmental quality for one year. Complainants were screened by staff and the nature of self-reported complaints were segregated into problematic categories. From July 10, 2003 to July 10, 2004, a total of 992 total complaints were logged, where 695 (70.1%) were complaints and concerns related to indoor mold exposure, the remaining 297 (29.9%) totaling non-mold, IAQ-related problems. Within the mold classification, a subcategory of 108 complainants (18.4%) were identified. These complainants expressed concerns relating to “toxic mold” exposure. Reports were articulated routinely as requests for: clarification of the term “toxic mold”, obtaining testing for the presence of toxic mold, verification of personal exposure to toxic mold, the medical symptoms common to toxic mold exposure, the long-term risks of exposure to toxic mold, toxic mold clean-up methods, and whether or not toxic mold is a reality that is recognized by the health care community. These data suggest that systems which adequately address indoor mold as the dominant building-related health complaint be implemented. In the interim, unrealistic expectations of citizenry can be avoided by engaging complainants in honest dialogue that is sensitive to both their personal perceptions of circumstance and their status as laypersons. Citizens often want both immediate intervention and simple “yes or no” answers. Therefore explaining the complexity of both the mycotoxicology and municipal code enforcement related to indoor mold problems helps to properly activate limited resources and prioritize the response.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize mold as a dominant IAQ complaint in urban settings.
• Employ continuous assessment skills throughout the investigatory process.
• Articulate complex scientific concepts to laypersons with sensitivity.

Keywords: Indoor Environment, Public Housing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation