| Survey Results of HUD and HUD-Sponsored Research on the Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Mold |
| Ongoing Research as of October 1, 2007 |
| Project Title |
Project Description |
Agency Contact |
Telephone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Determining the National Distribution of Selected Contaminants (Including Mold) in the Residential Environment (i.e., the American Healthy Homes Survey) | Conducted visual assessment, environmental sampling, and collected survey data from households in a nationally representative sample of U.S. housing. Floor dust samples were split with Dr. Steve Vesper of EPA's Office of Research and Development. These were analyzed using mold-specific quantitative PCR (i.e., DNA-based analysis) to identify concentrations of the 36 species of mold that comprise the "environmental relative moldiness index" (ERMI). Results were published: August 2007; JOEM, 9(8): 829. The following data were also collected: ambient humidity, moisture meter readings of selected walls, and whether or not anyone in the household had doctor-diagnosed asthma. Cultured mold was also determined on settled dust samples. Additional analyses are ongoing. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| Mold Exposure in Homes and the Development of Children's Atopy and Asthma | The main objective of this study is to identify an optimum method that is most predictive for the adverse health effects caused by mold exposure, especially the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis. The study will test two newly developed concepts for the evaluation of moldy buildings: 1) the EPA's Relative Moldiness Index (RMI) based on data analyzed by the Mold Specific Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (MQPCR) assay and 2) the fungal fragment sampling (in combination of two newly developed assay methods). These methods will be tested in a population-based study using the existing birth cohort of the NIEHS-funded Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS). The methods will be used to assess the home of children who are at high risk for asthma/atopy at approximately 3 years of age. Note: This award was announced in September, 2007 and had a start date of 11/5/07. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| New Orleans Healthy Homes Survey | A random sample of homes in New Orleans is being tested for environmental health hazards, including air sampling for mold spores and PCR (DNA-based analysis) for mold in settled dust. Health information for household residents is also being collected via questionnaire. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| Sampling of Biological Contaminants from Surfaces in Flooded Homes of New Orleans: Development, Evaluation and Implementation of a New Cost-Effective Protocol | University of Cincinnati: Field testing a mold "surface sampler" that was developed in the lab on 30 homes in New Orleans that suffered water damage during Hurricane Katrina. Samples will also be analyzed for Beta-(1--> 3)-D-glucan, a mold surrogate, and dust mite allergen. Results will be used to conduct exposure modeling. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| Urban Moisture and Mold Program-Continuation Project | The researchers will continue the previous studies performed under the HUD-funded Urban Moisture and Mold Program (UMMP; awarded to Cuyahoga County in 1999). The goal is to obtain longitudinal data on both the participants and on the homes that were remediated for mold and moisture problems as part of the original grant in order to ascertain the sustainability of both the health (asthma improvements) and housing improvements. Asthma control will be assessed for children still living in the dwellings, and dust will be sampled and analyzed for mold using EPA's ERMI as an indicator of the effectiveness of the original interventions. In addition the university proposes to analyze archived serum and house dust samples for selected mycotoxins from the mold Stachybotrys chartarum and analyze these data in the context of the clinical symptom profiles previously gathered on the study participants. Note: This grant award was announced in September 2007 with a start date of 11/1/07. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| A Critical Review of Current Practices for Managing Moldy Indoor Materials | This research involves the following activities: a review of the scientific literature regarding the remediation of residential mold damage; a review of current guidance on physical interventions of moldy environments (published by professional organizations, etc.), and administration of a Web-based questionnaire to professionals involved in mold assessment and control activities. The purpose is to review the scientific basis for current practices, identify key data gaps in the science, and determine what guidance professionals are following. The findings should help to target research and identify areas where current guidance and practice can be improved. | Peter Ashley | 202-402-7595 |
| Develop Procedures to Assess Internal Moisture Loads | There is not a complete understanding of the influences certain factors have on a home’s overall moisture content and moisture performance. Which is more harmful to a home, showering without the fan on or having a steel framed house? This project will identify and quantify moisture loads on a home. This information will lead others (ASHRAE, etc.) to develop construction standards and other guidance that will reduce the likelihood of new homes having moisture (and mold) problems. | Mike Blanford | 202-402-5728 |