Download Full-Text in PDF (100 Kb)
What is the public
health problem?
Molds are simple organisms that are found virtually everywhere,
indoors and outdoors. The potential health effects of indoor mold are a
growing concern. Mold can cause or worsen certain illnesses (e.g., some
allergic and occupation-related diseases and infections in health care
settings). There is not conclusive evidence, however, about whether
indoor mold is associated with a multitude of other health problems,
such as pulmonary hemorrhage, memory loss, and lack of energy.
What has CDC accomplished?
- CDC’s Mold Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold)
provides information on molds and health and links to resources. In
conjunction with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists,
CDC has created an inventory of state indoor air quality programs,
which is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/indoor_air.htm.
- CDC assists states in responding to mold-related issues, including
offering technical assistance with assessment, cleanup efforts, and
prevention of further mold growth and unnecessary exposure.
- CDC is strengthening state, local, and tribal capacity to respond
to mold-related issues, including (1) determining the extent to which
state programs establish coordinated responses to indoor mold
exposures; (2) working with federal and other organizations to
coordinate plans related to indoor air and mold; (3) developing a
coordinated public response strategy; and (4) identifying resources
for developing and implementing responses.
- CDC is developing an agenda for research, service, and education
related to mold. As a first step, CDC contracted with the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) to conduct a study on the relationship between damp or
moldy indoor environments and the manifestation of adverse health
effects and to provide recommendations for future research. CDC’s
mold-related agenda is expected to address subjects such as the
following:
- Characterizing environmental conditions that allow mold growth
indoors and the association between indoor mold and disease or
illness;
- Improving the capacity of state, local, and tribal health
departments to prevent, investigate, and control mold exposures;
- Conducting and supporting research to define the association
between damp or moldy indoor environments and harmful health
effects.
What are the next steps?
CDC will continue to assist states and others in responding to mold
issues and develop an agenda for research, service, and education
related to mold as described above.
For more information, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/airpollution/mold. |