Indoor mold levels and current asthma among school-aged children in Saskatchewan, Canada.
Current knowledge regarding the association between indoor mold exposures and asthma is still limited. The objective of this case-control study was to investigate the relationship between objectively measured indoor mold levels and current asthma among school-aged children. Parents completed a questionnaire survey of health history and home environmental conditions. Asthma cases had a history of doctor-diagnosed asthma or current wheeze without a cold in the past 12 months. Controls were age- and sex-matched to cases. Vacuumed dust samples were collected from the child's indoor play area and mattress. Samples were assessed for mold levels and quantified in colony-forming units (CFU). Sensitization to mold allergens was also determined by skin testing. Being a case was associated with family history of asthma, pet ownership, and mold allergy. Mold levels (CFU/m2) in the dust samples of children's mattress and play area floors were moderately correlated (r = 0.56; P < 0.05). High mold levels (≥30 000 CFU/m2) in dust samples from play [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.03-6.43] and mattress (aOR) = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.11-8.00) areas were significantly associated with current asthma. In this study high levels of mold are a risk factor for asthma in children.
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
O
O
Oluwole
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.|Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
S P
SP
Kirychuk
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.|Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
J A
JA
Lawson
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
C
C
Karunanayake
Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
D W
DW
Cockcroft
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.|Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
P J
PJ
Willson
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
A
A
Senthilselvan
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.|College of Nursing, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
D C
DC
Rennie
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust
Asthma; Atopy; Case-control study; Children; Fungal loads; Mold