06/16/2015 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

World Health Organization, 2009 '4.4 (Synthesis of available evidence on health effects In this chapter.we have presented several types of evidence-epidemiological. clinical and toxicological-relevant to answering the question of whether damp- ness or dampness-related exposures cause adverse human health effects.This summary is based initially on the epidemiological and clinical evidence fur causal relations between dampness-related factors and specific human health outcomes. Then.the available toxicological evidence Is considered as either supporting or not supporting the biological plausibility of any potentially causal association. The epidemiological evidence is based on qualitative assessments of dampness- ' related factors,such as visible dampness,mould,water damage or mould odour. as the epidemiological findings based on quantitative measurements of specific microbial agents were ten inconsistent and,fur specific nmconm,too few far ,h)persensithity pneumonitis,alkrg,r nbeolitisand mould infections in suaep• dear conduspans' tilde individuals,and humidifier fever and inhalation levers.This is the only con- The epidemiological evidence's not snifietem to conclude masa'relationships elusion that is based primarily on clinical evidence and also the only conclusion between indoor dampness or mould and any specific human health effect,al- that refers explicitly to microbial agents.as opposed to dampness-related factors. though the findings alone strong epidemiological intervention sandy,in con Limited or suggestive epidemiological evidence elan association between in- junction with the other mailable studies,suggest that dampness or mould exne• rebates asthma in children. door dampness or mould and allergic rhinitis and bronchitis is available. Their is su1TTNent epidemiological evidence of associationsbetween damp- The evidence for effects on lung function.allergy or atopy and'asthma,ever is inadequate mess or mould and asthma development,asthma exacerbation,current asthma, or insufficient.The evidence does not suggest that any specific replratory•infections(except otitis media),upper respiratory tract symptoms, measure of microorganisms rgantsms or microns suhstmwes„salts in a dtn onstmhly 'cough.wfirrrr and dlxpnnea.,Tiiere is'suffident clinical evidence of associm more specific or sensitive assessment of a particular dampness-related exposure ,tions between mould and other dampness-aso dated microbiological agents and ret t to hyallb effects.\s t theirs,although specpfie Causal agent,haw eat been identified conclusively,microbial exposure is often ssggested to play a role. Further studies with valid,quantitative exposure assessment methods are re- quired in eluckiate the role of fungi and other microorganisms to damp.induced health conditions.The available epidemiological and clinical evidence suggests that both atopic and a matopk people are suseeptible to adverse health effects front exposure to dampness and mould.even if sonic outcomes are commoner in maple people.Therefore,both allergic and non-allergic mechanisms may be involved in the biological re.sonsr. gb• A' 20