Augusta,
ME 04338-2438
(207)
626-8115 (phone)
(207)
626-9015 (fax)
miaqc@gwi.net (e-mail)
________________________________________________________________________________________
MIAQC
Public Policy Statement: Mold Exposure
Adopted by the
MIAQC Board of Directors on
Mold is
everywhere in the natural environment, both indoors and out, and it is not
practical to avoid exposure. However,
extensive attention is being given to the issue of mold in indoor environments. Local, State, and Federal legislative
efforts, as well as private sector initiatives, are underway or are being
implemented as a means to respond to increasing public concern for the health
and safety of our indoor environments. The
Maine Indoor Air Quality Council recommends consideration of the following
issues during the development or implementation of any initiative designed to
regulate or otherwise manage mold in indoor environments.
The Science of Mold and Health
Whereas: Scientific studies of inhalation (breathing) mold exposures in the indoor environment have documented the following health effects in susceptible individuals:
· Simple irritant effects (itchy eyes, runny nose, headaches)
· Allergies in susceptible individuals (It is not known in the general population how much exposure or for how long is required to cause allergy. 5-10% of the population may be mold allergic.)
· Exacerbation of asthma (A link between mold and the development of asthma has not been established.)
· Infections in individuals with suppressed immune systems (the molds that cause infection in healthy individuals are not typically found indoors.)
Serious health effects from inhalation exposure to mold in the indoor environment (e.g., toxic reactions, infectious diseases, and chronic irritation) have not been well characterized. Toxic effects of mold have only been demonstrated following experimental exposures in animal studies and studies involving ingestion (eating) of contaminated foods.
Therefore: Additional health research is needed to better characterize the
nature and scope of the health effects caused by indoor exposure to certain,
specific molds. Particular attention
should be given to the possible role of mold in producing serious, short-term or
long-term effects on respiratory, immune, and nervous systems.
Since
the research to characterize the effect of mold on human health is not fully
developed, it is prudent to take precautionary measures, where practical, to
prevent the growth of mold in the indoor environment.
Controlling Mold in Indoor Environments:
Whereas: Mold needs moisture and a suitable substrate (food/host) in
order to grow and survive. The primary
means to minimize mold exposure is by controlling moisture. Moisture problems
may occur in buildings as a result of water intrusion (water leakage through
the roof, foundation, or walls), high relative humidity (causing condensation),
internal plumbing leaks, or poor or inadequate housekeeping.
Therefore: Building codes and operations and
maintenance plans should include criteria to minimize the potential for
moisture-related problems in new or modified (renovated) buildings. These codes
and plans should ensure that energy conservation measures do not have an
adverse impact on fresh air ventilation, occupant thermal comfort, or on
relative humidity.
Professional
organizations involved with the assessment of indoor environments should
develop standardized methods for the assessment and remediation of moisture
problems in buildings. They should
develop training (and possibly certification) programs that focus on moisture
prevention and remediation.
More
education should be provided to increase public awareness of moisture control
measures and their relationship to mold growth in buildings.
Resources:
MIAQC Policy Statement on the Health
Basis for MIAQC Recommendations
MIAQC Best Practice
Recommendation on Testing
ACOEM Evidence-based Statement on
Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment
NYC DoH
Guidelines for Assessment and Remediation of Mold in Buildings
ACGIH – Bioaerosols
www.buildingscience.com/mold
“Fungi: Toxic Killers or Unavoidable Nuisances?” by
Harriet A. Burge, Ph.D., Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2001;87(Suppl): 52-56.
“Indoor Air Quality & Health,
Does Fungal Contamination Play a Significant Role? Emil Bardana, MD, Immunology
and Allergy Clinics of
Questions and
Answers on Stachybotrys chartarum
and other Molds.
Molds in the
Environment.
“Indoor Allergens: Assessing and Controlling Adverse Health
Effects,” Institute of Medicine; Andrew M. Pope, Roy
Patterson, and Harriet Burge, Editors.
“Clearing the Air: Asthma &
Indoor Exposures,”
Copyright 2003 –