![]() ![]() ![]() Both concluded that damp, moldy buildings were associated with respiratory symptoms both in people suffering from chronic asthma and in the general population. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued two reports on the association between excess moisture or dampness and mold growth on the one hand and respiratory illness in building occupants on the other: Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures (IOM, 2000) and Damp Indoor Spaces and Health (IOM, 2004). Indoor environments are an important factor in chronic asthma symptoms and morbidity (the incidence of disease), whether these environments are in the home, workplace, or school. Research has shown that after long periods of time this inflammation may cause a gradual alteration or remodeling of the architecture of the lungs that cannot be reversed with therapy (IOM, 2000, pp. Many persons with asthma also have varying degrees of bronchial hyperresponsiveness. These symptoms are associated with widespread airflow obstruction that is at least partially reversible with pharmacologic agent or time. Symptoms may occur at any time of the day, but are more commonly seen at night. ![]() Although the inflammatory response may vary from one patient to another, the symptoms are often episodic and usually include wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Both genetic and environmental factors appear to play important roles in the initiation and continuation of the inflammation. People also bring in rain and snow on theirĪsthma is understood to be a chronic disease of the airways characterized by an inflammatory response involving many cell types. Moisture in buildings comes from both outdoor and indoor sources: rain, snowmelt, groundwater, construction materials, plumbing systems, kitchens, shower rooms, swimming pools, and wet surfaces such as mopped floors ( Figure 3.1). Moisture also significantly affects the comfort and health of occupants (Lstiburek and Carmody, 1994 Achenbach, 1994 Tye, 1994 Deal et al., 1998). It is generally accepted that more than 75 percent of all building envelope (foundation, walls, windows, roof) problems are caused by excess moisture. Unfortunately, moisture problems in buildings are common in all climates of the United States. However, excess water or moisture in a building can lead to structural failures and health problems when materials stay wet long enough for microbial growth, physical deterioration, or chemical reactions to occur (IOM, 2004). ![]() It is a common cause of absence from school and from the workplace as well 14 million days of school loss were recorded in 1994-1996, 3.4 days per child with asthma (Cox-Ganser et al., 2005).Īs long as a building is properly designed, sited, constructed, operated, and maintained, excess moisture can be managed effectively. Asthma affects 8 to 10 percent of the population and even larger proportions of children in certain cities or in poor urban populations. Building Envelope, Moisture Management, and HealthĮxcess moisture or dampness and mold growth in buildings have been associated with some upper respiratory symptoms (nasal congestion, sneezing, runny or itchy nose) and respiratory diseases, especially asthma, in children and adults (IOM, 2000, 2004). ![]()
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