Summary:
Moisture problems inside homes create conditions that allow mold and bacteria to grow, especially when leaks, flooding or hidden dampness occur. These microorganisms can spread through walls and ceilings and increase what residents breathe in, even when the damage is not visible. Heavy rainfall and typhoons often lead to damp indoor environments, and research has shown that children exposed to mold or moisture are more likely to develop allergic conditions such as atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis. This study is a cross‑sectional environmental health investigation that assessed airborne molds, bacteria and indoor pollutants in Korean homes and examined how these exposures relate to childhood asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis. Fifty children and their parents completed a standardized questionnaire on housing conditions and lifestyle factors. Environmental samples were collected for molds, bacteria, and other matter. Homes with water damage had higher levels of airborne molds and bacteria than homes without moisture problems. Children living below the sixth floor and those exposed to higher microbial concentrations showed increased odds of atopic dermatitis. Water‑damaged dwellings identified by thermal imaging were also linked to greater risks of allergic diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. Even after adjusting for age, sex and secondhand smoke, allergic rhinitis remained significantly more common in homes with moisture damage. These results suggest that dampness and water damage contribute to increased microbial exposure and may worsen allergic conditions in children.
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Abstract:
This study aims to characterize levels of molds, bacteria, and environmental pollutants, identify the associations between indoor mold and dampness exposures and childhood allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, using three different exposure assessment tools. A total of 50 children with their parents who registered in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in Korea participated in this study. We collated the information on demographic and housing characteristics, environmental conditions, and lifestyle factors using the Korean version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. We also collected environmental monitoring samples of airborne molds and bacteria, total volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and particulate matter less than 10 µm. We evaluated and determined water damage, hidden dampness, and mold growth in dwellings using an infrared (IR) thermal camera and field inspection. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the associations between prevalent allergic diseases and exposure to indoor mold and dampness. Indoor mold and bacterial levels were related to the presence of water damage in dwellings, and the mean levels of indoor molds (93.4 ± 73.5 CFU/m3) and bacteria (221.5 ± 124.2 CFU/m3) in water-damaged homes were significantly higher than those for molds (82.0 ± 58.7 CFU/m3) and for bacteria (152.7 ± 82.1 CFU/m3) in non-damaged dwellings (p < 0.05). The crude odds ratios (ORs) of atopic dermatitis were associated with < 6th floor (OR = 3.80), and higher indoor mold (OR = 6.42) and bacterial levels (OR = 6.00). The crude ORs of allergic diseases, defined as a group of cases who ever suffered from two out of three allergic diseases, e.g., asthma and allergic rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis were also increased by 3.8 and 9.3 times as large, respectively, with water damage (+) determined by IR camera (p < 0.05). The adjusted OR of allergic rhinitis was significantly elevated by 10.4 times in the water-damaged dwellings after adjusting age, sex, and secondhand smoke. Therefore, a longitudinal study is needed to characterize dominant mold species using DNA/RNA-based sequencing techniques and identify a causal relationship between mold exposure and allergic diseases in the future.
Article Publication Date: 02/01/2024
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50226-w
