Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lynn Riggs, Michael Keall, Philippa Howden-Chapman, Michael G. Baker
Summary: This study assessed the burden of disease related to unsafe and substandard housing conditions in New Zealand from 2010 to 2017. The findings revealed that damp and mouldy housing accounted for a substantial proportion of the burden of disease in New Zealand. Improving people's living conditions could substantially reduce total hospitalization costs and potentially improve quality of life.
BULLETIN OF THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanief Sani, Tetsu Kubota, Jumpei Sumi, Usep Surahman
Summary: This study investigates the indoor mold risk and its impact on respiratory health in a typical unplanned neighborhood in Indonesia. The results show that respiratory health problems are more severe during the rainy season, particularly among children. Most houses have severe mold risk due to extreme humid weather and water leakage. Additionally, indoor air pollution exceeds WHO standards.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jennie Cox, Timothy Stone, Patrick Ryan, Jeff Burkle, Roman Jandarov, Mark J. Mendell, Rachel Adams, Christine Niemeier-Walsh, Tiina Reponen
Summary: This analysis aimed to compare quantitative metrics of observed dampness and mold in children's homes. The study found differences in concentrations of certain fungal and bacterial species between high and low moisture or mold damage. Additionally, hydrophilic and mesophilic fungi showed dose-related increases with increasing moisture and mold damage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-PROCESSES & IMPACTS
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
William M. Sothern, Sarah L. O'Beirne, Michael Berg, Daniel Devine, Nasrin Khandaker, Christopher Mikrut, Robert J. Kaner
Summary: This study aimed to identify the predominant genera and species of mold in the air of water-damaged homes and assess the alignment with mold antigen extracts used in clinical practice. The results showed significant misalignment between the currently available mold antigen extracts and the predominant species of molds found in water-damaged homes.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Caroline Fyfe, Lucy Telfar Barnard, Jeroen Douwes, Philippa Howden-Chapman, Julian Crane
Summary: This retrospective cohort study used linked data from a national intervention program to assess whether retrofitting home insulation can reduce respiratory disease incidence and exacerbation risk. The study showed that home insulation interventions significantly reduced chronic respiratory disease incidence rates and medication use for exacerbations, supporting their effectiveness in improving respiratory health outcomes.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Juan Wang, Yinping Zhang, Baizhan Li, Zhuohui Zhao, Chen Huang, Xin Zhang, Qihong Deng, Chan Lu, Hua Qian, Xu Yang, Yuexia Sun, Dan Norba
Summary: A questionnaire survey was conducted in eight Chinese cities, involving 40,279 adults with a response rate of 75%. The survey focused on demographic information, allergic rhinitis, asthma, perceived odors, and home environment. The results showed that mold and dampness in dwellings were associated with adult allergic rhinitis, asthma, and odors. Different odors were related to allergic rhinitis and asthma. Odor perception partly mediated the effects of mold and dampness on allergic rhinitis and asthma, but most of the effects were direct.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Davaasambuu Ganmaa, Davaasambuu Enkhmaa, Erdenebileg Nasantogtokh, Surenmaa Sukhbaatar, Khash-Erdene Tumur-Ochir, J. E. Manson
Summary: Current evidence from RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs is inconsistent regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation on respiratory infections and chronic diseases. Individuals most likely to benefit are those with baseline VDD or with selected high-risk conditions.
JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Carolina Recart, Carrie Sturts Dossick
Summary: Improving energy efficiency of existing buildings is crucial worldwide, but it can inadvertently lead to dampness and mold growth. This study focuses on the impact of energy efficiency measures on the hygrothermal behavior of buildings, highlighting the importance of indoor and outdoor conditions, maintenance, and ventilation. Building envelope post-retrofit may experience higher moisture levels and structural degradation due to increased humidity. However, there is evidence that retrofits can moderately improve thermal comfort.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Phuong Bich Tran, Joseph Kazibwe, Georgios F. Nikolaidis, Ismo Linnosmaa, Mieke Rijken, Josefien van Olmen
Summary: Multimorbidity imposes a significant economic burden on both the health system and society, particularly for patients with cancer and mental health conditions in the first year after cancer diagnosis. The costs of multimorbidity vary depending on the disease combination, country, cost ingredients, and other study characteristics. Higher country GDP per capita is associated with higher costs of multimorbidity. Most studies only consider a limited number of disease combinations, and few studies have been conducted in low- and middle-income countries and Europe. Rigorous and standardized methods of data collection and costing for multimorbidity should be developed to provide more comprehensive and comparable evidence for the costs of multimorbidity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ju-Hyeong Park, Angela R. Lemons, Tara L. Croston, Yeonmi Park, Jerry Roseman, Brett J. Green, Jean M. Cox-Ganser
Summary: The study conducted an environmental survey on fungal communities in classroom floor dust and found that fungal compositions in classrooms with severe water damage were less diverse but more similar. The study also identified several yeast genera and found that yeasts had higher relative abundance in classrooms with severe water damage.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kirsi Vaali, Kingsley Mokube Ekumi, Maria A. Andersson, Marika Mannerström, Tuula Heinonen
Summary: Markers were sought to diagnose mold hypersensitivity through indoor air testing and immunoglobulin measurement. The study found that exposed subjects had more symptoms from occupational air than control subjects. Basophil activation tests showed increased sensitivity to toxic extracts from the target building. Fecal immunoglobulin levels correlated with inflammation, confirming mold exposure.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chenqiu Du, Baizhan Li, Wei Yu, Runming Yao, Jiao Cai, Bicheng Li, Yinghui Yao, Yujue Wang, Min Chen, Emmanuel Essah
Summary: This study aims to characterize the diversity and temporal and spatial variations of household fungi. The results show significant associations between indoor dampness/mold indicators and the prevalence of respiratory diseases in children. The study also reveals the seasonal variations in airborne fungal concentrations and the diversity of fungal communities in different homes.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Chenqiu Du, Baizhan Li, Zhuohui Zhao, Dan Norback, Jiao Cai, Qihong Deng, Chan Lu, Hua Qian, Xiaohong Zheng, Xin Zhang, Tingting Wang, Ling Zhang, Chen Huang, Xu Yang, Wei Yu
Summary: The study found that the proportion of D/M indicators in Chinese homes has significantly decreased over the past 10 years, with higher risks of D/M in southern homes. Residents' behaviors were found to significantly improve the reported D/M situation.
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Aline Barros, Paulo Mascarenhas, Joao Botelho, Vanessa Machado, Gabriela Balixa, Luisa Bandeira Lopes
Summary: Studies comparing the prevalence of malocclusion in individuals with ASD and healthy controls showed inconsistent results, with significant heterogeneity and moderate risk of bias. It is inconclusive whether individuals with ASD are at risk of malocclusion. Future research should focus on strict criteria in sample selection, control group choice, and diagnosis of malocclusion to ensure greater methodological quality.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tippawan Prapamontol, Dan Norback, Nathaporn Thongjan, Neeranuch Suwannarin, Kawinwut Somsunun, Pitakchon Ponsawansong, Kesseya Radarit, Sawaeng Kawichai, Warangkana Naksen
Summary: Respiratory infections among school children in Northern Thailand are associated with home and outdoor environment, as well as the dry and wet seasons. Risk factors for respiratory infections include dry season, high outdoor relative humidity, household dampness, indoor mould, and smoke from biomass burning. However, living in a traditional wooden house can reduce the risk.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
W. J. Fisk, W. R. Chan
Article
Construction & Building Technology
W. J. Fisk, W. R. Chan
Article
Construction & Building Technology
W. R. Chan, J. M. Logue, X. Wu, N. E. Klepeis, W. J. Fisk, F. Noris, B. C. Singer
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Marc L. Fischer, Wanyu R. Chan, Woody Delp, Seongeun Jeong, Vi Rapp, Zhimin Zhu
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Wanyu R. Chan, Xiwang Li, Brett C. Singer, Theresa Pistochini, David Vernon, Sarah Outcault, Angela Sanguinetti, Mark Modera
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Michael D. Sohn, Xiwang Li, Wanyu R. Chan
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Brett C. Singer, Wanyu R. Chan, Yang-Seon Kim, Francis J. Offermann, Iain S. Walker
Review
Construction & Building Technology
William J. Fisk, Brett C. Singer, Wanyu R. Chan
BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Haoran Zhao, Wanyu R. Chan, Sebastian Cohn, William W. Delp, Iain S. Walker, Brett C. Singer
Summary: This study investigated pollutant concentrations and performance of mechanical ventilation equipment in 23 low-income apartments, finding that some apartments did not meet ventilation requirements, resulting in higher indoor pollutant concentrations.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Hao Tang, Wanyu Rengie Chan, Michael D. Sohn
Summary: The paper introduces an automated process for interpreting PM2.5 time-resolved data and differentiating PM2.5 emissions from indoor and outdoor sources. The study uses a machine learning approach to analyze a dataset of indoor emission events, showing model development and evaluation as the sample size and source vary. The characteristics of the dataset that help with source identification and the importance of data from many events and different apartments are discussed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Haoran Zhao, Wanyu R. Chan, William W. Delp, Hao Tang, Iain S. Walker, Brett C. Singer
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2020)
Review
Construction & Building Technology
P. Jacob Bueno de Mesquita, William W. Delp, Wanyu R. Chan, William P. Bahnfleth, Brett C. Singer
Summary: Research suggests that indoor environmental controls, such as the use of masks, administrative controls, and engineering controls, can help reduce the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the actual effectiveness and applicability of these controls require further study and evaluation to support widespread implementation.
Article
Respiratory System
Robert J. Laumbach, Kevin R. Cromar, Gary Adamkiewicz, Christopher Carlsten, Denis Charpin, Wanyu R. Chan, Audrey de Nazelle, Francesco Forastiere, Jeffrey Goldstein, Sophie Gumy, William K. Hallman, Michael Jerrett, Howard M. Kipen, Cheryl S. Pirozzi, Barbara J. Polivka, Jared Radbel, Ronald E. Shaffer, Don D. Sin, Giovanni Viegi
Summary: Addressing the need for a synthesis of evidence on personal interventions for air pollution, the American Thoracic Society convened a workshop in 2018 with international experts. Recommendations were made regarding when, where, how, and for whom to consider personal interventions, as well as considerations about the identification of high-risk patients, communication challenges, and ethical considerations.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2021)