Reporting water damage, mould growth or odour at work or home increases the risks of new onset doctor diagnoses asthma over the next 11 years.

This is a prospective questionnaire-based study which shows that adults (mean age 40) without asthma or rhinitis reporting dampness or mould odour at home or work are more likely to report doctor diagnosed asthma over the next 11 years than those not reporting dampness or mould odour at baseline. New onset doctor diagnosed asthma was reported in 4.3% and rhinitis symptoms in 26%. The adjusted odds ratio for doctor diagnosed asthma was 1.4 (95% CI 1.1-1.79) in those reporting dampness or mould in their workplace, 1.32 (95% CI 1.06–1.65) at home and 1.51 (95% CI 1.06–2.15) at both home and work. The mechanisms for the increased risks are not discussed.

References

	Wang J, Pindus M, Janson C, Sigsgaard T, Kim J, Holm M, Sommar J, Orru H, Gislason T, Johannessen A, Bertelsen RJ, Norbäck D, Dampness, mould, onset and remission of adult respiratory symptoms, asthma and rhinitis, Eur Respir J, 2019;53:1801921,DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01921-2018

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