[Assessment of mould pollution in residences in southwest Germany]. / Abschätzung der Schimmelpilzbelastung in Wohnungen in Südwestdeutschland.

ABSTRACT

Elevated levels of moulds in homes may represent a risk for development of allergies and respiratory diseases. Little is known about the levels of these biogenic contaminants in homes in South-West Germany. This paper presents the results of a study which was performed between November 1997 and May 1998 in the four Sentinel Health Departments in Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart, Mannheim, Kehl and Aulendorf/Bad Waldsee). It included 377 households in which children of 10 years of age resided. Moulds were determined in indoor air, outdoor air, household dust from floors and mattresses. Specific home characteristics were assessed by questionnaire. The median value of the number of colony forming units (CFU) in indoor air was 135 CFU/m3 (range 5-17,000) and in outdoor air 145 CFU/m3 (range 15-2,900). The median value of CFU/g dust, collected from the floors, was 15,000 (range 0-700,000) and collected from mattresses was 28,000 (range 1,500-1,350,000). The data suggest that an indoor-outdoor difference exceeding the value of 500 CFU/m3 indicates an elevated mould concentration in indoor air compared to background. This value can be discussed as a temporary reference value for South-West Germany in the winter season. However, a health assessment can not be derived from this value.