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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2020.46.6.685

The Relationship between Indoor Air Pollutants and Pulmonary Function in Asthmatic Children with Mold Sensitization  

Yoon, Wonsuck (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital)
Lim, Jaehoon (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital)
Park, Sang Hyun (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University)
Lee, Mingyu (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital)
Yoo, Young (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.46, no.6, 2020 , pp. 685-693 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: Recent data indicate that sensitization to mold contributes to the severity and persistence of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between indoor mold concentrations and pulmonary function parameters in asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Methods: Asthmatic subjects who had a positive result in skin-prick testing to more than one mold allergen, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, or Penicillium, were enrolled. Their pulmonary function and methacholine challenge test results were collected. Measurements of blood eosinophil, serum IgE, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken. Indoor levels of VOC, CO2, PM10 and PM2.5 in each subject's house were measured. We counted mold and bacteria colonies from the subjects' house air samples. Results: The mean levels of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 were 82.8±19.7, 87.3±17.9, 85.8±8.3, and 82.3±28.9%, respectively. The mean FeNO level was 19.8±11.2 ppb and the geometric mean (range of one SD) of methacholine PC20 was 3.99 mg/mL (0.67-23.74 mg/mL). The average indoor air pollutant levels were below the recommended levels set by the Ministry of Environment for multiplex buildings. Indoor mold levels showed a significant inverse correlation with methacholine PC20, but not with the baseline pulmonary function parameters. Conclusion: Indoor mold concentrations are a risk factor for increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness among asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Targeted environmental intervention should be considered for selected asthmatic children with mold sensitization for avoiding severe airway hyperresponsiveness.
Keywords
Asthma; mold; environment; airway hyperresponsiveness; pulmonary function parameters;
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