May 6, 2005—NIOSH scientists and an outside colleague recently found that workers at water-damaged facilities had a higher prevalence of asthma and other respiratory symptoms than expected. This research introduced more evidence that water damage contributing to mold and other microbial growth can negatively affect employees’ respiratory health and business productivity.
The study is part of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health’s (NIOSH) ongoing research program to improve the understanding of indoor environmental quality, prevent building-related illnesses, and provide practical guidance for maintaining healthy buildings.
The study, “Respiratory Morbidity in Office Workers in a Water-Damaged Building,” was published in the April 2005 issue of the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. It is available online. More information on indoor environmental quality research at NIOSH is available from NIOSH.
