Indoor air-related effects and airborne (1 -> 3)-beta-D-glucan

In studies on the relation between indoor mold exposure and symptoms/diseas e, the exposure should be described in terms of biomass and not: viability. This paper reviews field studies in which (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan was meas ured as a marker of biomass and was related to the extent of symptoms and m easures of inflammation among exposed subjects. increased levels of (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan were related to an increased extent of symptoms and marker s of inflammation. The data suggest that (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan can be use d as a risk marker in indoor environments. Key words: airways inflammation, (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan, indoor air, molds.