UK Study Shows Correlation Between Asthma and Indoor Mold
According to a recent issue of Thorax, an international journal of respiratory medicine, a group of scientists in Wales performed a randomized, controlled trial investigating the effects of indoor mold on asthma patients. Prior to this study, it was not entirely clear whether there was a causal relationship between indoor mold and asthma, but these Cardiff University researchers found that the removal of indoor mold resulted in improvement of asthma and rhinitis systems, as well as decreased medication use among asthmatics.
The houses of asthma sufferers were randomly separated into groups: one where indoor mold was removed by the application of fungicide and a fan; and the other where no intervention had taken place for 12 months.
The results were astonishing: at six months, the group living in the homes with the fungicide and fans experienced significantly decreased symptoms of coughing and wheezing when compared to the control group. After 12 months, the intervention group saw increased reduction in medication and inhaler use, and improvement with rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Therefore, the scientists found that there was definitely a correlation between mold and exacerbated asthma and respiratory symptoms.
Jenny Versnel, Asthma UK's executive director of research and policy, stated that the study highlighted the importance of keeping houses dry and well-ventilated, as she noted, "This can reduce exposure to certain asthma triggers such as mold spores which are found in damp places."
Asthmatics and sufferers of respiratory problems can eliminate indoor mold and prevent the growth of future colonies through a few preventative steps. Because mold primarily thrives in areas with moisture, flooding, leaky pipes, faulty plumbing without proper ventilation, and unvented combustion appliances can all lead to mold growth. Proper ventilation and decreased humidity is critical in controlling mold. In addition, the use of an air purifier with a UV light such as the Alen T300 can also help destroy mold and other biological contaminants through the use of intense heat.
The houses of asthma sufferers were randomly separated into groups: one where indoor mold was removed by the application of fungicide and a fan; and the other where no intervention had taken place for 12 months.
The results were astonishing: at six months, the group living in the homes with the fungicide and fans experienced significantly decreased symptoms of coughing and wheezing when compared to the control group. After 12 months, the intervention group saw increased reduction in medication and inhaler use, and improvement with rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Therefore, the scientists found that there was definitely a correlation between mold and exacerbated asthma and respiratory symptoms.
Jenny Versnel, Asthma UK's executive director of research and policy, stated that the study highlighted the importance of keeping houses dry and well-ventilated, as she noted, "This can reduce exposure to certain asthma triggers such as mold spores which are found in damp places."
Asthmatics and sufferers of respiratory problems can eliminate indoor mold and prevent the growth of future colonies through a few preventative steps. Because mold primarily thrives in areas with moisture, flooding, leaky pipes, faulty plumbing without proper ventilation, and unvented combustion appliances can all lead to mold growth. Proper ventilation and decreased humidity is critical in controlling mold. In addition, the use of an air purifier with a UV light such as the Alen T300 can also help destroy mold and other biological contaminants through the use of intense heat.
Labels: air_purifiers, asthma, mold
posted by Jeanie at
2:55 PM
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