Respiratory symptoms in damp homes. A pilot study.

The association between living in damp homes and the prevalence of health symptoms was investigated in a population of 519 occupants (adults and children) of 185 homes. Positive associations were found between the reporting of respiratory and some other health symptoms and living in a damp home. The concentration of variable mould spores in indoor air was measured, using modified Andersen samplers, in the living rooms of a sample of 36 homes. The results were compared with the occurrence of dampness characteristics in their homes as reported by the occupants. Homes with at least two dampness characteristics showed higher average spore counts and higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms.