Mold exposure and health effects following hurricanes Katrina and Rita

The extensive flooding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita created conditions ideal for indoor mold growth, raising concerns about the possible adverse health effects associated with indoor mold exposure. Studies evaluating the levels of indoor and outdoor molds in the months following t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnual review of public health Vol. 31; p. 165
Main Authors Barbeau, Deborah N, Grimsley, L Faye, White, LuAnn E, El-Dahr, Jane M, Lichtveld, Maureen
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.2010
Subjects
Air Pollutants - adverse effects
Critical Illness
Cyclonic Storms
Environmental Exposure - adverse effects
Floods
Fungi - growth & development
Humans
New Orleans
Respiratory System - immunology
New Orleans
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Summary:The extensive flooding in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita created conditions ideal for indoor mold growth, raising concerns about the possible adverse health effects associated with indoor mold exposure. Studies evaluating the levels of indoor and outdoor molds in the months following the hurricanes found high levels of mold growth. Homes with greater flood damage, especially those with >3 feet of indoor flooding, demonstrated higher levels of mold growth compared with homes with little or no flooding. Water intrusion due to roof damage was also associated with mold growth. However, no increase in the occurrence of adverse health outcomes has been observed in published reports to date. This article considers reasons why studies of mold exposure after the hurricane do not show a greater health impact.
ISSN:1545-2093
DOI:10.1146/annurev.publhealth.012809.103643