Indoor exposure to certain fungal genera in winter was a risk factor for asthma, atopy and respiratory symptoms in children. On the other hand, no significant associations were seen between average viable or total spore concentrations and child health. Actual measurements of fungal spores predict health outcomes better than reported dampness.

Low-level exposure to indoor formaldehyde may increase the risk of allergic sensitization to common aeroallergens in children.

Declines in Australia's forest avifauna are largely attributed to loss of native vegetation. Many studies have examined patches of remnant vegetation, but few have considered changes over many years. In our study, bird data were collected 22 years apart (survey period A (SPA), 1980–1983; survey period B (SPB), 2002–2005) in 20 forest remnants in a rural landscape in southeastern Australia. Initial modelling (SPA) predicted a decline of nine species per patch in the 100 years following fragmentation. Our data showed that average species richness declined by nine species per patch in just 22 years between SPA and SPB, perhaps representing an example of faunal relaxation. Observer variation, changes in climate, changes in land use, and interspecific competition from an aggressive edge-adapted native bird (the noisy miner, Manorina melanocephala (Latham, 1802)) did not appear to be the main drivers of this decline. However, noisy miners were strongly associated with high turnover of forest species where they occurred above a threshold of six birds per count. Revisiting sites after an interval of many years has shed new light on the dynamics of a fragmented ecosystem, and indicates that further bird declines are likely as a result of past habitat loss.

The indoor environment of 80 houses in the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia was assessed during six visits performed bi‐monthly over a period of one year. Children between 7 and 14 years of age residing in the houses were included, resulting in 148 study children, 53 of whom were asthmatic. A respiratory health questionnaire was completed and skin prick tests performed. Significant risk factors for asthma were: exposure to a gas stove (OR=3.15, 95% CI 1.28‐7.72), and indoor pets (OR = 2.68, 95% CI 1.07‐6.70). Exposure to airborne Aspergillus spores (+10 CFU/m3, OR=1.51, 95% CI 1.05‐2.18) was a risk factor for atopy, while exposure to a gas stove (OR=2.32, 95% CI 1.04‐5.18) was a risk factor for respiratory symptoms. In conclusion, exposure to gas stoves, fungal spores and pets in the home were identified as statistically significant risk factors for respiratory health in children.

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