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Published on: August 7, 2017
Novel biomarkers to assess mold exposure among children with asthma
Lalith K Silva1, Cody A Newman1, Idris J Wazeerud-Din1
1Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Background:
Household mold is a major problem in communities which face natural disasters such as hurricanes or flooding, and in homes with other sources of significant water intrusion; a biomarker for exposure to indoor mold could support public health investigations.
Methods:
We analyzed serum from 132 children with asthma living in government-subsidized housing for six microbial volatile organic compounds (2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, 2-hexanone, 3-methylfuran, 3-octanone, and geosmin) using GC-MS. Fewer than 10% of the samples for three compounds (2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-heptanone, and 2-hexanone) were quantified below the limit of detection. Associations between mold/water damage variables and microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) were assessed via regression analyses, adjusting for urinary cotinine and self-reported home characteristics.
Results:
Children with household mold (assessed by occupant report of visual mold, mold odor, or water damage) had 32% higher serum concentrations of 2-hexanone than those living in homes without reported mold or water damage. We investigated indoor tobacco use via urinary cotinine analysis of a "first morning void spot sample" (FMV) and found that children with higher urinary cotinine had significantly higher serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol. We found that children in homes where residents reported tobacco smoking indoors had significantly higher serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol compared with those without reported household smoke exposure. Tobacco smoke, indoor painting, gas stoves, and carpets were not confounders in the relationship between mVOCs and mold/water damage variables.
Conclusion:
2-hexanone, along with an index variable which included all detectable mVOCs in our panel, are promising biomarkers of recent mold exposure that could be used in concert with other detection methods.
Insights
Serum 2-hexanone is a promising biomarker for recent household mold exposure. This finding supports public health investigations into indoor mold and its health impacts, especially in vulnerable communities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Biomarker Discovery
- Toxicology
Background:
- Household mold is a significant environmental health concern, particularly after natural disasters like hurricanes or floods.
- Water intrusion in homes can lead to mold growth, posing risks to occupants' health.
- A reliable biomarker for indoor mold exposure is needed to aid public health investigations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential biomarkers for recent indoor mold exposure in children with asthma.
- To investigate the association between household mold and water damage and specific microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) in serum.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 132 children with asthma were analyzed for six mVOCs using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Associations between reported mold/water damage and mVOC levels were assessed using regression analyses.
- Urinary cotinine was measured to assess indoor tobacco smoke exposure as a potential confounder.
Main Results:
- Children living in homes with reported mold or water damage had significantly higher serum concentrations of 2-hexanone (32% increase).
- Higher urinary cotinine levels (indicating higher tobacco smoke exposure) were associated with elevated serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol.
- Reported indoor tobacco smoking was linked to higher serum 2-ethyl-1-hexanol levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum 2-hexanone is a promising biomarker for recent household mold exposure.
- An index of detectable mVOCs also shows potential as a biomarker for mold exposure.
- These biomarkers could complement existing methods for assessing mold exposure in public health settings.
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