Journal of Environmental Health Sciences (한국환경보건학회지)

Korean Society of Environmental Health (한국환경보건학회)
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The Relationship between Indoor Air Pollutants and Pulmonary Function in Asthmatic Children with Mold Sensitization

곰팡이에 감작된 소아 천식 환자 가정내 환경유해물질 농도와 폐기능의 상관관계

  • Yoon, Wonsuck (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Lim, Jaehoon (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Park, Sang Hyun (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University) ;
  • Lee, Mingyu (The Environmental Health Center for Asthma, Korea University Anam Hospital) ;
  • Yoo, Young (Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University)
  • 윤원석 (고려대학교 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 임재훈 (고려대학교 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 박상현 (고려대학교 의과대학 소아청소년과) ;
  • 이민규 (고려대학교 천식환경보건센터) ;
  • 유영 (고려대학교 의과대학 소아청소년과)
  • Received : 2020.09.29
  • Accepted : 2020.11.18
  • Published : 2020.12.31
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Abstract

Objectives: Recent data indicate that sensitization to mold contributes to the severity and persistence of asthma. The aim of this study was to investigate relationships between indoor mold concentrations and pulmonary function parameters in asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Methods: Asthmatic subjects who had a positive result in skin-prick testing to more than one mold allergen, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, or Penicillium, were enrolled. Their pulmonary function and methacholine challenge test results were collected. Measurements of blood eosinophil, serum IgE, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were taken. Indoor levels of VOC, CO2, PM10 and PM2.5 in each subject's house were measured. We counted mold and bacteria colonies from the subjects' house air samples. Results: The mean levels of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25-75 were 82.8±19.7, 87.3±17.9, 85.8±8.3, and 82.3±28.9%, respectively. The mean FeNO level was 19.8±11.2 ppb and the geometric mean (range of one SD) of methacholine PC20 was 3.99 mg/mL (0.67-23.74 mg/mL). The average indoor air pollutant levels were below the recommended levels set by the Ministry of Environment for multiplex buildings. Indoor mold levels showed a significant inverse correlation with methacholine PC20, but not with the baseline pulmonary function parameters. Conclusion: Indoor mold concentrations are a risk factor for increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness among asthmatic children with mold sensitization. Targeted environmental intervention should be considered for selected asthmatic children with mold sensitization for avoiding severe airway hyperresponsiveness.

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