Reducing the presence of mold in the home may reduce asthma in middle-aged adults, according to new research.
In a follow-up of a longitudinal health study conducted in Tasmania, over 5,700 participants completed respiratory and home environment questionnaires and had skin-prick tests for allergies.
The results revealed that recent presence of mold in the home was associated with “non-allergic” asthma in middle age, particularly in men whose risk was about four times that of women.
Lead author John Burgess of the University of Melbourne and University of Tasmania says most studies of mold and asthma had concentrated on children and adolescents.
He adds that in this study, published in the Journal of Respirology, the asthma and related symptoms were more common as mold exposure increased.
“We found that in homes with more rooms affected by mold, there was a stronger trend for asthma, wheezing, and night time chest tightness.”
In addition, the study confirms findings from other studies that environmental tobacco smoke exposure in the home was an important risk factor for asthma and respiratory symptoms.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne, University of Tasmania, and Monash University contributed to the study.
Source: University of Melbourne