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An outbreak of respiratory diseases among workers at a water-damaged building--a case report

M Seuri1, K Husman, H Kinnunen

  • 1Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health, Finland. markku.seuri@occuphealth.fi

Indoor Air
|September 9, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Water-damaged military buildings caused occupational diseases like asthma and rhinitis in 14 employees. Mold exposure, particularly Sporobolomyces salmonicolor, triggered symptoms not mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE).

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Occupational Medicine
  • Mycology

Background:

  • Water and mold damage in buildings can lead to significant health issues for occupants.
  • Assessing indoor microbial exposure is crucial for understanding building-related illnesses.

Observation:

  • A military hospital experienced severe water and mold damage.
  • Fourteen employees were evaluated for building-related symptoms and diseases.
  • Sporobolomyces salmonicolor was identified as the most abundant airborne mold species.

Findings:

  • Nine out of 14 employees reported coughs; most experienced building-related symptoms.
  • Four new cases of asthma and seven of rhinitis were diagnosed, linked to S. salmonicolor exposure.
  • Inhalation provocation tests confirmed S. salmonicolor as the cause of asthma and rhinitis, but not immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated.

Implications:

  • Indoor mold and yeast exposure can cause occupational diseases, including asthma, rhinitis, and alveolitis.
  • The mechanism behind these mold-induced diseases may not involve immunoglobulin E (IgE) and requires further investigation.
  • This study highlights the importance of addressing indoor environmental quality in preventing workplace health problems.

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