Estimation of mould levels in households in South-West Germany

Elevated levels of moulds in homes may represent a risk for development of allergies and respiratory diseases. Little is known about the levels of the se biogenic contaminants in homes in South-West Germany. This paper present s the results of a study which was performed between November 1997 and May 1998 in the four Sentinel Health Departments in Baden-Wurttemberg (Stuttgar t, Mannheim, Kehl and Aulendorf/Bad Waldsee). It included 377 households in which children of 10 years of age resided. Moulds were determined in indoo r air, outdoor air, household dust from floors and mattresses. Specific hom e characteristics were assessed by questionnaire. The median value of the number of colony forming units (CFU) in indoor air was 135 CFU/m(3) (range 5-17,000) and in outdoor air 145 CFU/m(3) (range 15 -2,900). The median value of CFU/g dust, collected from the floors, was 15 000 (range 0-700,000) and collected from mattresses was 28 000 (range 1.500 -1,350,000). The data suggest that an indoor-outdoor difference exceeding the value of 5 00 CFU/m(3) indicates an elevated mould concentration in indoor air compare d to background. This value can be discussed as a temporary reference value for South-West Germany in the winter season. However, a health assessment can not be derived from this value.