title: Positive associations between respiratory outcomes and fungal index in rural inhabitants of a representative sample of French dwellings.
abstract: Our study aims at estimating exposure to molds at home, based on microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) assessment, and evaluating its effect on respiratory diseases in a representative sample of dwellings. In the framework of a national campaign, indoor pollution was monitored in a sample of the 24 million dwellings of metropolitan France (n=567). 727 subjects answered to a standardized questionnaire on respiratory diseases and had MVOCs sampled in their bedrooms and a fungal index (FI) defined. Among the 431 dwellings with complete data, one out of three was contaminated by molds as assessed by a positive FI: 27.0% in urban, 38.2% in periurban and 34.9% in rural dwellings respectively. Positive associations were observed between fungal index and current asthma (8.6%) and chronic bronchitis-like symptoms (8.4%), especially in rural areas (OR=2.95, 95%CI (1.10; 7.95) and 3.35, 95%CI (1.33; 8.48) respectively). Our study, based on objective assessments of fungal contamination, is in agreement with previous results suggesting mold-related respiratory effects. Moreover associations found among rural population could indicate specific pollution and impact in this environment.
authors.affiliation: INSERM, U 707, EPAR, Paris, France. hulin@u707.jussieu.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hulin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moularat
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kirchner
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robine
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mandin
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Annesi-Maesano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005658:Fungi; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds