Risk factors for mold in housing: a national survey
| Autor: | Julian Crane, Kay Saville-Smith, Philippa Howden-Chapman, Nick Wilson |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2005 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male Engineering Environmental Engineering Multivariate analysis Time Factors Adolescent Rain Population Sample (statistics) Heating Risk Factors Environmental health Forensic engineering Prevalence Humans education Housing design Aged education.field_of_study business.industry Public Health Environmental and Occupational Health Fungi Water Building and Construction Odds ratio Middle Aged Crowding Health Surveys Telephone survey Increased risk Air Pollution Indoor Multivariate Analysis Housing Female business New Zealand |
| Zdroj: | Indoor air. 15(6) |
| ISSN: | 0905-6947 |
| Popis: | UNLABELLED A national random telephone survey was undertaken to determine the prevalence of reported mold in New Zealand houses and the risk factors for it. A total of 613 households provided responses. Mold in one or more rooms was reported by 35.1% of respondents in the sample. House design and construction factors that were independently associated with reported mold in the multivariate analysis included: poorer house condition, older house age (>22 years), relative lack of sun exposure, and having no insulation (e.g. for poorer house condition: odds ratio=1.97, 95% CI=1.25, 3.11). Univariate analyses also showed increased risk associated with high locality rainfall, and living in the most northern part of the country. The number of residents was significantly associated with reported mold in the multivariate analysis as were various behaviors in the univariate analysis (i.e. frequency of baths, showering and clothes washing). The high prevalence of unflued gas heating (32.9%) found in this sample is of potential concern given the potential respiratory hazards. Although this survey has a number of limitations, it does suggest that there are a number of potentially modifiable risk factors for mold that could be reduced by a range of policy responses. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS While further research is desirable, the available evidence associated with the health and other adverse impacts of both mold and dampness would favor additional policy responses by government. These could include changes to regulations around housing design including house position, access to sunlight, and level of insulation. The extension of low interest loans for insulation or subsidized installation can help to increase its level of use. Restrictions on the sales of unflued gas heaters could also be considered. A mass media campaign could also be used to inform the population of the readily modifiable risk factors for mold growth and dampness. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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