Early Mold Exposure linked to asthma.
Mold at age one significantly increases the Risk of Asthma by age 7
Early mold exposure linked to asthma. Getting a mold inspection can provide peace of mind. Mold exposure is severe; a group of researchers at the University of Cincinnati have concluded that early exposure to mold at age one significantly increases the risk of asthma by age 7. When we say mold exposure, we mean mold-borne spores floating in the air and small enough to be inhaled below the 2.5-micron size, such as the Penicilum or Aspergillus spores.
Early Mold Exposure
The study concluded that early mold exposure, specifically exposure at age one, is significantly linked to an increased risk of developing asthma by age 7. The researchers at the University of Cincinnati used the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) to assess mold exposure. They found a strong association between early mold exposure and the development of asthma later in childhood. This study provides objective evidence supporting the connection between early mold exposure and asthma.
The study was conducted by using the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI), which was developed and is being evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The index is generated by collecting dust samples at home and then analyzing the DNA from some molds in the sample. The new findings were reported May 30 in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
The Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI) is a method developed and evaluated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to quantify mold exposure. It involves collecting dust samples from homes and analyzing the DNA from certain molds in the sample. The ERMI method compares the presence of 36 fungi in the samples to a national Relative Moldiness Index Scale developed by HUD, which is based on sampling 1,096 homes across the country. This standardized approach helps assess and quantify mold exposures consistently.
We emphasize the term “significant Mold exposure.”
For remediation, we need to know the source of significant mold exposure. There is always some mold inside the walls or attics. Even large amounts of mold behind walls or ceilings generally do not represent substantial exposure so long as the leak/moisture source is fixed and the mold is no longer active. However, even small amounts of mold inside the consistently moist interior of the AC and ducting (especially in combination with other MMIs always found there) can represent overwhelming exposure for a mold-sensitive person. The degree of sensitivity to mold varies from person to person.
When to do a Mold Assessment
When we do a Mold assessment, we are interested in:
a.) Determining if there is significant mold exposure (mold in the air) and
b.) If so, where is its source located so we can remediate it?
Mold In the Air
It is mold in the air that represents significant exposure and not mold in surface dust.
Again, most mold exposure problems in homes that do not currently have noticeable mold and water damage are from contaminated HVAC systems.
Shoemaker’s HERTSMI-2 testing for mold in surface dust is useless in finding the #1 cause of significant mold exposure: contaminated HVAC systems.
The process samples 36 fungi and compares them to a national Relative Moldiness Index Scale developed by HUD based on sampling 1,096 homes nationally. The ERMI method is growing in popularity among professional air quality specialists. However, physical inspection for mold and water damage remains the basis of EPA’s recommended mold remediation process. A mold assessment determines mold exposure.
Using the ERMI as the basis of the Cincinnati study provided researchers with a standardized approach to quantifying exposures to mold.
Previous studies have linked mold to asthma but with less objective precision. For example, a 2005 study linked mold odor to asthma but could not draw a connection between asthma and visible mold, water damage, or moisture. This study proved that early mold exposure is linked to asthma.
