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NIOSH Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT): Documentation and Data Analysis of Dampness and Mold-Related Damage

Ju-Hyeong Park1, Jean M Cox-Ganser1

  • 1Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA.

Buildings (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Indoor dampness and mold exposure are linked to many illnesses. The Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT) offers a practical, observational method for evaluating and managing building-related mold and moisture issues.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Building Science
  • Occupational Health

Background:

  • Indoor dampness and mold are widespread environmental factors linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including asthma exacerbation, respiratory infections, and allergic rhinitis.
  • Assessing indoor mold and dampness is challenging, particularly when relying on microbial sample analysis.
  • Observational methods, such as visual and olfactory inspection, have proven effective for evaluating indoor environmental quality related to moisture and mold.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and describe the Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT), a novel observational method for assessing indoor dampness and mold.
  • To demonstrate the application of the DMAT protocol for effective management of indoor dampness and mold-related damage.
  • To highlight the utility of the DMAT in identifying, tracking, and prioritizing remediation of building-related moisture issues.

Main Methods:

  • The Dampness and Mold Assessment Tool (DMAT) employs a semi-quantitative observational approach to evaluate indoor dampness and mold.
  • The DMAT assesses damage by scoring the intensity or size of specific indicators: mold odor, water damage/stains, visible mold, and wetness/dampness.
  • Assessment is conducted across various room components, including ceilings, walls, windows, floors, furnishings, ventilation systems, pipes, and supplies.

Main Results:

  • The DMAT provides semi-quantitative scores, allowing for a more nuanced differentiation of damage levels compared to binary assessments.
  • Calculated total or average room scores, along with factor- or component-specific scores, facilitate data analysis.
  • The tool enables effective identification of dampness and mold, tracking of damage over time, and prioritization of remediation efforts.

Conclusions:

  • The DMAT is a valuable tool for identifying and quantifying indoor dampness and mold-related damage.
  • Its semi-quantitative scoring system enhances the assessment of environmental conditions compared to simple presence/absence methods.
  • Implementing the DMAT protocol can aid in managing indoor environments to mitigate potential adverse health effects associated with mold and dampness.
Keywords:
DMATdampness and molddata analysis and applicationindoor environmentsobservational assessmentvisual and olfactory assessmentwater damage

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