HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT OF FUNGI IN-HOME ENVIRONMENTS

Learning Objectives: Reading this article will enable the readers to r ecognize the public health importance of fungi in the home environment . In view of the recognized impact of fun,oi on human health, the larg e population being exposed to fungi, and the large population at risk for developing allergic diseases, there is a need to establish guideli nes for allowable exposure to fungi based on a health risk assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of the data on the r elationship between exposure to fungi in the home environment and alle rgic health effects with respect to the development of such guidelines . Data Sources: The past 10 years of peer-reviewed literature focused on the relationships between respiratory disease and exposure to fungi in indoor environments was examined. indexing terms included mold, fu ngi, allergy, asthma. and indoor environment. among others. Each study was evaluated on the following criteria: aim and design of the study, methods for assessing exposure and health effects, and data analysis. Study Selection: Nine population based studies were identified that e xamined the relationship between allergy and the presence of fungi in the home environment. These studies included quantitative measures of fungal presence in either air or dust. Results: One or more positive a ssociations were found between fungal levels and health outcomes in se ven of the nine cross-sectional studies identified. Conclusions: Despi te these positive associations it remains impossible to set guidelines for fungi in home environments based on health risk assessment. This is in part because of the cross-sectional study designs, and inconsist ency and inadequate validation of the measures used to evaluate exposu re and health effects. Future research designed to generate data that can be used for the development of health risk assessment based guidel ines for fungi in home environments should focus on susceptible popula tions, and use measures that accurately represent exposure and adverse health effects.