Click the red X in your browser to close this page and return to our web site.

Moisture, Mold and Health in Apartment Homes
A. Nevalainen, Ph.D., M. Vahteristo, M.Sc., J. Koivisto, Civ.Eng., T. Meklin, M.Sc., A. Hyvärinen, M.Sc., J. Keski-Karhu, M.Sc., T. Husman, M.D. National Public Health Institute, Division of Environmental Health e-mail aino.nevalainen@ktl.fi

The prevalence of observations of moisture or mold, and the respiratory health status of the occupants, was surveyed in a random sample of 120 apartment buildings. The buildings and two apartments from each were given a walk-through inspection and all the signs of moisture and mold recorded using questionnaires and checking lists by civil engineers. A health questionnaire was sent to the occupants. In 60% of the apartments, signs of moisture damage could be observed, and 42% of the apartments were assessed to be in need of repair because of the moisture observations. Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, nocturnal cough and dyspnea, sore throat, hoarseness, rhinitis, nasal bleeding and impaired sense of smell were significantly associated with the observations of moisture, as well as sinusitis (OR=2.58). When the exposure was defined as mold present the symptom findings were almost similar. The results show the health-based importance of good maintenance.