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New-onset adult asthma in relation to damp and moldy workplaces

Kirsi Karvala1, Elina Toskala, Ritva Luukkonen

  • 1Occupational Medicine Team, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, 00250, Helsinki, Finland. kirsi.karvala@ttl.fi

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|February 4, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Workplace mold exposure can cause new adult asthma, with symptoms often persisting. This study investigated the link between workplace dampness, mold exposure, and occupational asthma (OA).

Area of Science:

  • Occupational Health
  • Environmental Medicine
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Damp and moldy indoor environments are known asthma triggers.
  • Emerging evidence suggests these environments may also induce new-onset asthma.
  • Occupational asthma (OA) is a significant concern in affected workplaces.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the probability of molds causing asthma in patients with respiratory symptoms.
  • To investigate the relationship between workplace dampness, mold exposure, and new-onset asthma.
  • To analyze clinical data and microbial exposure levels in patients with suspected occupational asthma.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical assessment of 694 patients with work-related respiratory symptoms due to mold exposure.
  • Utilized specific inhalation challenge (SIC) tests and serial peak expiratory flow (PEF) recordings.
  • Categorized patients into probable, possible, and unlikely occupational asthma (OA) based on diagnostic criteria.

Main Results:

  • Mold sensitization was found in 20% of probable OA cases.
  • Higher mold exposure and sensitization correlated with probable OA.
  • Persistent symptoms and no spirometry improvement were noted at 6-month follow-up in probable OA patients.

Conclusions:

  • Exposure to damp and moldy workplaces can induce new-onset adult asthma.
  • IgE-mediated mechanisms appear to be a rare cause of this occupational asthma.
  • The exact mechanisms inducing occupational asthma from mold exposure require further investigation.

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