Indoor fungal exposure

Fungi, ubiquitous and important in our environment, elicit infectious and allergic disease responses plus irritant and toxic effects in humans. Fungal exposure is implicated in exacerbations of asthma and in the association between home dampness and respiratory health effects. However, several recent reviews discount the health impacts of fungal mycotoxins at indoor exposure levels. Knowledge of the aerobioloical processes of exposure as well as environmental monitoring for fungi and their disease agents are necessary components of exposure assessment. Continued isolation, characterization, and standardization of fungal disease agents are needed in the assessment of the prevalence of fungal health effects.