Indoor fungal exposure.
Fungi affect humans in complex ways and are capable of eliciting a number of disease responses, such as infectious, allergic, and irritant and toxic effects. Fungal exposure is unequivocally associated with exacerbations of asthma, although the role of fungi in causing the disease is yet to be determined. The association between home dampness and respiratory health effects is strong, and fungal exposure is suspected to be associated with this linkage. Fear of toxin exposures has generated debate over the possible toxic health effects of airborne fungi; however, several recent reviews discount the health impacts of mycotoxin through indoor exposures. Nevertheless, fungal contamination of indoor environments is undesirable. Knowledge of sources and characteristics of fungal spore release and dispersal are important for understanding the processes of exposure. Environmental monitoring for fungi and their disease agents are important aspects of exposure assessment, but few guidelines exist for interpreting their health impacts. Much work is needed in isolating, characterizing and standardizing fungal disease agents to properly assess the prevalence of fungal health effects.
Rogers
Christine A
CA
Environmental Science and Engineering Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Landmark Center, PO Box 15677, 401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215, USA. crogers@hsph.harvard.edu
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure; D009181:Mycoses / Q000209:etiology*; D009812:Odorants; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013170:Spores
D000485:Allergens