Review of epidemiologic evidence on dampness, mold, and dampness-related agents
Mendell MJ, Mirer AG, Cheung K, Tong M, Douwes J (2011) · Environmental Health Perspectives 119(6):748–756
A review of the epidemiologic literature reported consistent associations between indoor dampness or mold and respiratory and allergic outcomes, without identifying a single causal agent.
What they studied
A review of published epidemiologic studies of indoor dampness, visible mold, and dampness-related microbial agents.
Outcomes considered included asthma development and exacerbation, wheeze, cough, respiratory infection, bronchitis, allergic rhinitis, and eczema.
Exposure in the source studies was assessed by occupant report, inspection, or measurement of dampness-related agents.
What they found
The authors reported that dampness and mold in buildings were consistently associated with increased risk of the listed respiratory and allergic outcomes across the reviewed literature.
Reported increases in risk were on the order of tens of percent relative to comparison groups, varying by outcome.
The authors reported that no single measured microbial agent accounted for the associations.
What it does not establish
Observational associations; the review does not establish causation for any specific agent.
Dampness is a broad exposure category assessed inconsistently across the source studies.
No exposure threshold or intervention effect is established by the review.
This entry reports the study. It is not a statement about any building Sage Co. designs or constructs.
Source
- Mendell MJ, Mirer AG, Cheung K, Tong M, Douwes J (2011). Respiratory and allergic health effects of dampness, mold, and dampness-related agents: a review of the epidemiologic evidence · Environmental Health Perspectives 119(6):748–756 · Read at the source
Last reviewed August 30, 2026.