Respiratory morbidity among children following renovation of a water-damaged school

The authors sought to determine whether exposure to molds, resulting from m oisture damage in a school, was associated with increased respiratory sympt oms and morbidity among schoolchildren and whether the renovation of this b uilding resulted in a decrease In prevalence of respiratory symptoms and mo rbidity. The study was a follow-up (1-y interval) of children between the a ges of 7 and 12 y from two elementary schools in a Finnish suburb. In addit ion to a questionnaire completed by the parents, the authors assessed the r espiratory health of children by examining the health records of a local he alth center. In the cross-sectional study, the prevalence of symptoms and i nfections were higher in the exposed group, as were visits to a physician a nd use of antibiotics. The school was renovated, after which all prevalence decreased and no significant differences remained, except for visits to a physician (according to questionnaire responses). Therefore, moisture damag e and exposure to molds increased the indoor air problems of schools and af fected the respiratory health of children.