Researchers from the University of Bristol (UK) have found that exposure to mold in the home during early childhood may leave a long-term mark on respiratory health. The study, published in the journal Environmental Research: Health, draws on data from a large cohort project — the “Children of the 90s” study — which followed nearly 14,000 individuals from birth to approximately age 24.
The team analyzed medical records and questionnaire data to assess how household mold exposure by around age 5 was associated with changes in lung function during adolescence and with the risk of a doctor-diagnosed asthma. The findings showed that significant mold exposure in early childhood was linked to nearly a 6% reduction in lung function by age 15. In addition, children exposed to mold early in life had about a 1.85 times higher risk of receiving an official asthma diagnosis by age 8 compared to those without such exposure.
Mold consists of fungi that grow on damp surfaces and easily become airborne as spores. These spores are common in homes with high humidity, poor ventilation, leaks, or after flooding, and climate change — with increased rainfall and prolonged damp periods — may contribute to their spread.
While previous research has linked mold to worsening asthma symptoms and airway irritation, this study is the first to provide objective evidence of its impact on the actual functional capacity of the lungs in adolescents who experienced early-life household exposure.
The researchers note that the association with asthma and reduced lung function weakens with age, but early childhood appears to be a critical period for respiratory system development. The findings underscore the importance of preventing and removing mold in residential environments, especially in homes with young children.
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