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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
08:47

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Sick Building Syndrome: is mould the cause?

Abba I Terr1

  • 1UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94108, USA. AbbaTerrMD@sbcglobal.net

Medical Mycology
|March 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Moulds cause human diseases through infection, allergy, and toxicity. While some effects are proven, the impact of indoor airborne mould spores causing non-specific toxicity is still debated.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
08:47

Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber

Published on: March 3, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Moulds are known to cause human diseases via infection, allergy, and toxicity.
  • Fungal infections pose risks to both immunodeficient and immunocompetent individuals.
  • Fungal allergies manifest in various respiratory conditions, while mycotoxicosis typically results from ingesting contaminated food.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the established and controversial mechanisms by which moulds affect human health.
  • To differentiate between specific mould-induced diseases and unproven conditions linked to indoor airborne exposure.
  • To critically evaluate the evidence for non-specific toxicity from inhaled mould spores.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on mould-related human diseases.
  • Analysis of pathogenetic mechanisms: infection, allergy, and toxicity.
  • Assessment of evidence for established occupational diseases versus controversial indoor exposures.

Main Results:

  • Fungal infections and allergies are well-documented, with specific causative moulds.
  • Mycotoxicosis is primarily linked to ingestion of contaminated food.
  • Pulmonary mycotoxicosis is a recognized occupational disease in farmers exposed to high levels of mycotoxins.
  • Claims of non-specific toxicity and various illnesses from indoor airborne mould spores remain largely unproven and controversial.

Conclusions:

  • Moulds cause specific diseases through infection and allergy, and toxicity via ingestion.
  • The role of indoor airborne mould spores in causing non-specific toxicity and a wide range of subjective symptoms is not supported by convincing scientific evidence.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the controversial aspects of mould exposure and human health.