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Ever wondered if that tiny spot of mold in your bathroom corner actually matters? A study from France just answered this question with a resounding yes – and the findings should make us all reconsider how we think about household mould.
Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the
CONSTANCES cohort
Drawing from an impressive pool of over 28,000 adults, researchers have established something both alarming and actionable: even the smallest visible mold growth significantly increases asthma risk in adults. This isn't just about massive infestations; the study reveals a clear "ladder of risk" where each step up in mold coverage – from mere spots to larger areas – progressively worsens asthma symptoms and control. People living with any visible mold were approximately 40% more likely to have current asthma and poorer symptom control.
What makes this research particularly valuable is its practical approach. Rather than treating mold as a simple yes/no question, researchers asked participants to estimate contaminated areas using everyday references (like comparing 0.2 square meters to three sheets of paper). They found that mould in bedrooms and living rooms – where we spend most of our time – had the strongest health impacts. The message is clear: mold isn't just a maintenance or aesthetic issue; it's a health hazard from the moment it appears, and its impact scales with its size.
For housing providers, healthcare professionals, and anyone who lives in a building (which is all of us!), these findings transform how we should approach even minor mold growth. That little patch in the corner isn't just unsightly – it's actively affecting respiratory health.
Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the
CONSTANCES cohort
Support the show
Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel
The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.
Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group
The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.
SafeTraces & InBiot
All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.
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By Simon JonesSend us a text
Ever wondered if that tiny spot of mold in your bathroom corner actually matters? A study from France just answered this question with a resounding yes – and the findings should make us all reconsider how we think about household mould.
Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the
CONSTANCES cohort
Drawing from an impressive pool of over 28,000 adults, researchers have established something both alarming and actionable: even the smallest visible mold growth significantly increases asthma risk in adults. This isn't just about massive infestations; the study reveals a clear "ladder of risk" where each step up in mold coverage – from mere spots to larger areas – progressively worsens asthma symptoms and control. People living with any visible mold were approximately 40% more likely to have current asthma and poorer symptom control.
What makes this research particularly valuable is its practical approach. Rather than treating mold as a simple yes/no question, researchers asked participants to estimate contaminated areas using everyday references (like comparing 0.2 square meters to three sheets of paper). They found that mould in bedrooms and living rooms – where we spend most of our time – had the strongest health impacts. The message is clear: mold isn't just a maintenance or aesthetic issue; it's a health hazard from the moment it appears, and its impact scales with its size.
For housing providers, healthcare professionals, and anyone who lives in a building (which is all of us!), these findings transform how we should approach even minor mold growth. That little patch in the corner isn't just unsightly – it's actively affecting respiratory health.
Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the
CONSTANCES cohort
Support the show
Check out the Air Quality Matters website for more information, updates and more. And the YouTube Channel
The Air Quality Matters Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.
Eurovent Farmwood Aereco Aico Ultra Protect Zehnder Group
The One Take Podcast is brought to you in partnership with.
SafeTraces & InBiot
All great companies that share the podcast's passion for better air quality in the built environment. Supporting them helps support the show.