My Account

Mold exposure and higher rates of asthma in children

luke-curtis
Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Fungi (molds) produce a wide range of toxins (mycotoxins) and allergenic (allergy causing) compounds which can induce or worsen asthma, nasal problems and other allergies. A number of published studies have reported associations between indoor exposure to mold and/or water damage and asthma in children and adults. Two recent studies linking mold exposure and asthma are summarized below.

 

A study of 31,742 children in 6 European countries was made from birth through childhood. Exposure to visible mold and/or visible dampness/ water damage was associated with significantly higher levels of asthma symptoms during the first 2 months after birth (odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 1.05-1.84). Exposure to visible mold or dampness was also associated with a significantly greater risk of allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion) at 3 to 10 years of age (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.09-1.28).

Another set of studies examined levels of mold DNA in the housedust from homes of 229 asthmatic children and 84 non-asthmatic children from Boston, Kansas City and San Diego. Significantly higher levels of indoor molds were found in the homes of the asthmatic children as compared to the non-asthmatic children. Specific molds that were significantly higher in the asthmatic children homes included: Alternaria alternata; Aspergillus niger; Aureobasidium pullulans; Cladosporium sphaerospermum, cladosporodes and herbarum; Epicoccumn nigrum, Mucor species; Penicillium brevicompactum, chrysogenum and variabile; Trichoderma viride; and Wallemia sebi.

C Tischer et al. Meta-analysis of mould and dampness exposure on asthma and allergy in eight European birth cohorts: an ENRIECO initiative. Allergy 2011;66:1570-9.

Stephen Vesper et al. Higher relative moldiness index (ERMI) values measured in homes of asthmatic children in Boston, Kansas City and San Diego. Journal of Asthma 2012:1-7.

Share on Facebook
Share on Reddit
Share via Email
Share on Twitter

Leave a Reply

Recent Articles

Weekly Q&A Show

Featured Sponsor

Follow Us

Doug's Books

Doug Kaufmann has written many books that cover a full range or health issues. Find out which of his books best suits you by clicking the button below.

The Kaufmann Diet

Doug Kaufmann developed his diet after years studying the clinical effects of pathogenic fungi on the body. Fungi and yeasts can become parasitic organisms on and inside our body, causing health problems that can be difficult to diagnose. Learn more about the Kaufmann Diet, change your life and know the cause.

The Science of Fungus

We encourage all visitors to this site to take some time and study these technical articles prior to initiating lifestyle changes, including dietary changes and to do so with their physician’s awareness and approval. The articles posted in this link are scientific and with few exceptions are taken from medical journals familiar to healthcare workers.

Our Healthy Recipes

Looking for help assembling antifungal Kaufmann Diet approved recipes for breakfast, lunch or dinner? We have several videos, books and recipe write ups here on Know the Cause that will help your health journey. The recipes in this section are so good, you’ll feel like you’re indulging. No sacrifice needed! Enjoy.