Abstract
The role of residential dampness and molds in the occurrence of respiratory tract infections is not well understood. We assessed the relations between cumulative lifetime and time-specific dampness and mold exposures and the occurrence of upper and lower respiratory tract infections (URTI and LRTI) from pregnancy to 27 years of age in the prospective population-based Espoo Cohort Study (n = 2568). We assessed 3 questionnaire-based reports of residential exposure to water damage, moisture on the surfaces, visible mold and mold odor, and incidence rates of URTI and LRTI when children were 1-6, 7-13, and 21-27 years. We estimated adjusted incidence rate differences (aIRD) and ratios (aIRR) with their 95% CI. According to all the data combined from 3 follow-ups, home exposure to dampness and mold increased the risk of URTIs (aIRR 1.15 [95% CI, 1.10-1.21]) and LRTIs (aIRR 1.47 [95% CI, 1.21-1.79). An exposure-response pattern was observed, with each additional exposure time point particularly associated with an increased risk of LRTIs due to water damage (aIRR 2.13; 1.32-3.44) and mold odor (aIRR 2.04; 1.22-3.43). The occurrence of respiratory tract infections was associated with both presence and duration of residential dampness and mold exposure.