PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 No. 6 December 2006, pp. e1909-e1926 (doi:10.1542/peds.2006-2829)
TECHNICAL REPORT |
Spectrum of Noninfectious Health Effects From Molds
ABSTRACT
Molds are multicellular fungi that are ubiquitous in outdoor and indoor environments. For humans, they are both beneficial (for the production of antimicrobial agents, chemotherapeutic agents, and vitamins) and detrimental. Exposure to mold can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and touching moldy surfaces. Adverse health effects may occur through allergic, infectious, irritant, or toxic processes. The cause-and-effect relationship between mold exposure and allergic and infectious illnesses is well known. Exposures to toxins via the gastrointestinal tract also are well described. However, the cause-and-effect relationship between inhalational exposure to mold toxins and other untoward health effects (eg, acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants and other illnesses and health complaints) is controversial and requires additional investigation. In this report we examine evidence of fungal-related illnesses and the unique aspects of mold exposure to children. Mold-remediation procedures are also discussed.
Key Words: mold exposure health effects allergies hypersensitivity pneumonitis mycotoxins hemosiderosis water damage remediation prevention
Abbreviations: Igimmunoglobulin ABPAallergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis AFSallergic fungal sinusitis RASTradioallergosorbent test ORodds ratio CTcomputed tomography CFcystic fibrosis VOCvolatile organic compound MVOCmicrobial volatile organic compound FAOFood and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations WHOWorld Health Organization DON4-deoxynivalenol CFUcolony-forming unit(s) CIconfidence interval CDCCenters for Disease Control and Prevention AIPHacute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage IOMInstitute of Medicine SBSsick building syndrome EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency
The following policy statement has been revised:
- Toxic Effects of Indoor Molds
Pediatrics 101: 712-714.[Full Text]
eLetters:
Read all eLetters
- Importance of protecting infants from molds
- Ruth A. Etzel, et al.
- Pediatrics Online, 17 Feb 2007 [Full text]





