Masonry Magazine July 2004 Page. 66
News
Report continued from page 63
Through its careful review of the available scientific studies, the committee found sufficient evidence to conclude that mold and damp conditions are associated with asthma symptoms in asthmatics who are sensitive to mold, and to coughing, wheezing and upper respiratory tract symptoms in otherwise healthy people. However, the evidence did not meet the strict scientific standards needed to establish a clear, causal relationship. An uncommon ailment known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis also is associated with indoor mold exposure in genetically susceptible people. Damp conditions and all they entail may be associated with the onset of asthma, as well as shortness of breath and lower respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children, although the evidence is less certain in these circumstances. Likewise, the presence of visible mold indoors may be linked to lower respiratory tract illness in children, but the evidence is not as strong in this case.
The committee found very few studies that have examined whether mold or other factors associated with indoor dampness are linked to fatigue, neuropsychiatric disorders or other health problems that some people have attributed to fungal infestations of buildings. The little evidence that is available does not support an association, but because of the dearth of well-conducted studies and reliable data, the committee could not rule out the possibility.
The committee had insufficient information to recommend either an appropriate level of dampness reduction or a safe level of exposure to organisms and chemicals linked to dampness. Better standardized methods for assessing human exposure to these agents are greatly needed, the report says. It calls for studies that compare various ways to limit moisture or eliminate mold and to evaluate whether the interventions improve occupants' health.
The study was sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Institute of Medicine is a private, nonprofit institution that provides health policy advice under a congressional charter granted to the National Academy of Sciences. For more information, visit www.nationalacademies.org.
Index to Advertisers
55 ADVANCED BUILDING PRODUCTS
800.252.2306
www.advancedflashing.com
RS #157
42 AMERICAN DISCOUNT ALUMINUM
800.407.4266
www.angleironcover.com
RS #178
11 AZUR MONTANLESE
Building Systems, Inc.
519.548.9189
www.azurblock.com
RS #114
46 BRACING SYSTEMS, Inc.
888.258.4040
www.bracingsystems.com
RS #157
13 CRANE UP SCAFFOLDING
800.896.9464
www.craneupscaffoldusa.com
RS #183
38 COLD WELD TOOLS, Inc.
800.245.3544
www.coldweldtools.com
RS #134
8 DANISH TOOL SHOP
www.danishtoolshop.com
www.danishtoolshop.com
RS #270 & 324
44 DIAMOND DISC INTERNATIONAL
888.582.3881
RS #323
28 DIAMOND VANTAGE
866.322.4078
www.diamondvantage.com
RS #152
56 EuCo CHEM
800.263.8505
www.eucochem.com
RS #151
43 Evan Services
300.882.1804
17 EZ SCAFFOLD CORPORATION
800.699.6831
RS #110
10C Fraco Products, Ltd.
888.372.2648
www.fraco.com
RS #101
3 Gatorback LLC
www.gatorback.net
612.800.9365
RS #134
22 Guaco INDUSTRIES, Inc.
800.822.0802
www.guaco-ina.com
RS #313
BC Grout Hog/EZ Grout
14 800.417.5272
www.grouthog.com
RS #118 & 214
39 HUNTER BLACK COMPANY
619.226.8185
www.hunterblack.com
RS #327
30 HR TRADING COMPANY
800.955.4582
www.hrtradingcompany.com
RS #113
IFC Hydro Mobile
888.684.9376
www.hydro-mobile.com
42 Independent Stamping, Inc.
540.945.6839
www.plank-tie.com
RS #173
60 IWANSKI
847.352.1749
www.iwanskiinternational.net
RS #325
9 JACKSON BRACING, Inc. - Assist It
800.400.0614
www.AdjustBracing.com
RS #135
62 KENWOOD FOREST PRODUCTS
888.687.5085
www.kenwoodforest.com
RS #144
63 McGUINNESS ESTIMATING WIZ
Meucs.com
817.822.8595
RS #329
516.333.0101
61 MCAA-Advocacy
800.536.2225
www.masoncontractors.org
RS #256
28 McGaughey Lumber
800.365.9663
www.mcgaugheylumber.com
RS #160
27 MK DIAMOND PRODUCTS, Inc.
800.845.3729
www.mkdiamond.com
RS #117
41 MORTAR NET USA
800.664.6638
www.mortarnet.com
RS #147
47 MSA
888.277.5403
www.msasafety.com
RS #148
7 Non-Stop Scaffolding
800.845.0845
www.nonstopscaffolding.com
RS #105 & 106
29 PARTNER INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
800.323.3553
www.partnerusa.com
RS #125
15 Pessotto
800.255.4255
www.pessotto.com
RS #135
21 QUALITY DIAMOND TOOLS
300.285.0163
RS #104
47 Quikpoint, Inc.
800.368.2290
www.quikpoint.com
RS #185
23 THE QUIKRETE COMPANIES
800.282.5828
www.quikrete.com
RS #107
20 RESTORATION DIRECT
800.288.7800
RS #101
34 Rhino Tools
866.700.7235
www.rhinotools.com
RS #145
21 ROCKWELL LINE COMPANY
800.558.7711
www.rockwellline.com
RS #164
25 SAWING SYSTEMS, Inc.
800.489.0601
sawing-systems.com
RS #216
26 Sika, Away, Europe
615.223.2154
www.sikaconcrete.com
RS #542
57 Slip Industries
800.722.8339
www.slipindustries.com
RS #177
1 SPEC MIX, Inc.
888.173.2649
www.specmix.com
RS #126
53 STERLING HANDLING EQUIPMENT, Inc.
414.228.7728
www.sterlingheqpt.com
RS #544
45 STO Corporation
800.221.2397
www.stocorp.com
RS
34 Stone Art, LLC
www.naucitrct.g
RS #328
35 THE GLASS BLOCK SUPPLY COMPANY
877.421.8775
RS
49 Transom's Software
800.454.6322
RS
36 Tool & Hoist
800.451.4349
www.toolandhoist.com
RS
33 U-Block
904.787.0678
www.u-block.com
RS #147
22 Unique Industries
800.214.4121
www.best-in-town.com
RS
37 Vigor Oust Building Blocks
337.781.0705
www.vobb.com
RS
57 Wess Equipment
800.225.3858
www.webequipment.com
RS
55 Woodard (formerly Masonry Structures)
800.848.6722
www.woodard.com
RS
www.masoncontractors.org