Characteristics of moisture damage in houses and their association with self-reported symptoms of the occupants

This study was motivated by a need to establish criteria for evaluating observations of moisture damage with respect to exposure and adverse health effects. The database used included information on moisture damage from 164 dwellings and questionnaire data collected from the occupants. Moisture damage observations were classified according to eleven variables characterising damage by, for example, size, duration and type of damaged material. Five health symptom scores were devised based on the questionnaire data. Visible mould associated with respiratory infections, irritative and skin symptoms. Damage <1 m(2) in size was associated with general and skin symptoms, and >4 m(2) in size associated with respiratory infections and skin symptoms. Damage of <3 years duration was associated with respiratory infections and damage that had existed for 3-10 years was associated with general, irritative and skin symptoms. Symptom scores were associated more frequently with damage to organic rather than inorganic materials. Criteria used to evaluate the association between the classification of moisture damage and symptom scores were excess risk compared to a two-category classification, dose responsiveness, and biological plausibility of the findings. Despite the complexity of interpretation, the results show that more accurate models of moisture damage with respect to exposure and adverse health effects can be established. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.