Inspection confirms mold damage in schools does not increase students’ risk of developing asthma

A recent study conducted in Finland has shed light on the relationship between mold damage in school buildings and the risk of developing asthma among students. Contrary to previous beliefs, the study found that mold damage in schools does not increase the likelihood of students developing asthma. The research, which spanned 16 years and involved 30,000 students from 110 primary and secondary schools, was published in the journal PLOS One.

While moisture and microbial damage are known to exacerbate respiratory symptoms and asthma in individuals, the study revealed that the long-term health effects of mold damage in schools may have been overestimated. Unlike in warmer countries where visible mold is more common, mold damage in Finland is typically hidden within building structures. This hidden nature of mold damage in Finnish schools, coupled with efficient ventilation systems and different construction techniques, may contribute to the reduced exposure to harmful substances released from the damage.

Lead researcher Anne Karvonen from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) highlighted that people spend significantly less time in schools compared to homes, which could explain the disparity in findings between studies conducted in residential buildings versus schools. Emeritus professor Juha Pekkanen from the University of Helsinki and THL emphasized the importance of technical inspections in assessing the extent of moisture and microbial damage in buildings.

The study assessed the extent of mold damage in 110 school buildings in 2004, with 44 schools exhibiting extensive damage and 38 showing very extensive damage. Surprisingly, no association was found between the extent of mold damage and the risk of asthma among students during the follow-up period until 2019. Despite the common occurrence of mold damage in schools, students developed asthma at similar rates regardless of their exposure to such damage.

The study, the first of its kind to investigate the link between mold in schools and asthma risk longitudinally, underscores the importance of maintaining building structures and conducting regular inspections for hidden mold damage. While repairing such damage is justified for building maintenance purposes, the study’s findings suggest that the health effects of mold damage in schools may not be as significant as previously thought.

For more information on the study, readers can refer to the published paper in PLOS One by Juha Pekkanen et al. from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare. The study’s results provide valuable insights into the impact of mold damage in schools on students’ respiratory health and asthma risk, challenging existing perceptions and emphasizing the need for further research in this area.