Building-related symptoms and molds

a two-step intervention study

Ebbehøj, N. E.
Hansen, M. Ø.
Sigsgaard, T.
Larsen, L.

¹Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
²Mikael Østergaard Hansen, Østergaard Miljø Aps, Consulting Engineers, Havdrup, Denmark
³Alk-Abello, Hørsholm and Technological Institute, Taastrup, Denmark
⁴Institute for Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University of Århus, Århus, Denmark

N. E. Ebbehøj, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, DK-2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. Tel: +45 3531 6060, Fax: +45 3531 6070, e-mail: [email protected]

Received for review 10 June 2001. Accepted for publication 15 March 2002

Indoor Air 12(4):p 273-277, December 2002.

Aims

To evaluate the relation between mold growth and symptoms in an intervention study design.

Methods

The building was examined by a walk-through and microbiological testing from surfaces and ventilation canals before and after each of two steps of the renovation. The examination program for the 25 employees comprised questionnaire, clinical examination, 2-week peak-flow monitoring, and blood samples, and in six persons also a bronchial challenge.

Results

Initially the building had severe moisture problems with growth of Trichoderma and Phoma as dominating microfungi. The total number of symptoms from a nine-item building-related symptom score was 66%, peak-flow variability was 20%. After the first renovation, no visible mold growth was seen, but samples showed that the building was still contaminated. Symptoms decreased to 33%. After further cleaning the mold levels decreased on surfaces, and the number of symptoms decreased to 4%. Mean peak-flow variability fell to 15%.

Discussion

In a poorly maintained building with moisture problems and mold growth, the staff had a number of irritative and general symptoms. The first renovation eradicated most visible signs of molds and gave a decreased number of symptoms. The second renovation sufficiently cleaned the building, and the rate of symptoms and peak-flow variability fell to normal levels. A thorough cleaning after renovation seems necessary for the eradication of symptoms.