EPA/PRESENTATION Exposure of Children to Indoor Molds

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PRESENTATION Exposure of Children to Indoor Molds 06/01/2004

Frederick, R., E. J. Furtaw Jr., R. A. Haugland, K. Hudnell, L.

Kolb, M. Y. Menetrez, B. Macler, M. K. Selgrade, J. A. Shoemaker, J.

M. Van Emon, S. J. Vesper, M. W. Ward, and L. J. Wymer. Exposure of

Children to Indoor Molds. Presented at EPA Science Forum 2004,

Washington, DC, June 1-3, 2004.

Abstract: Children now spend more than 90% of their time indoors.

Thus, any exposure to indoor pollutants may be critical to their

health. Molds are one of the most important pollutants children are

exposed to indoors. Molds produce hundreds of allergens and toxins.

These products have been shown to cause many serious health

problems, including allergy and asthma. Asthma causes thousands of

deaths and cost billions of dollars to treat. Mold exposures can not

be completely eliminated, so it is critical to determine which molds

are problematic and at what concentrations and to seek methods to

reduce their occurrence.

A team of EPA researchers from NERL, NHEERL, NRMRL and NCEA have

made significant progress in understanding mold exposures and their

impact on children's health. So far this team has:

Patented and applied molecular technology (QPCR) to identify and

quantify indoor molds.

Licensed and trained more than 15 commercial firms in US and UK in

using " mold technology " for analyzing environmental samples.

Identified mold proteins that induce allergic asthma-like responses

in mouse model.

Discovered that many indoor molds produce hemolytic agents

Tested chemical and physical controls for indoor molds and

determined which ones work.

Applied the non-invasive visual contrast sensitivity test to show

neurotoxicity from mold exposure

Based on these results, a risk assessment/ risk model for mold

exposures is being developed.