Increasingly, airborne mold in home environments has
been linked with asthma exacerbation and other respiratory
diseases in both children and adults. This problem is
particularly relevant today, as Hurricane Katrina has resulted
in water damage and mold proliferation in numerous
homes on the U.S. Gulf Coast. Policies to control indoor
moisture and mold can help solve problems of mold
contamination and associated adverse health effects, yet
very little attention has been given to developing such
policies. We address the question of how to develop effective
policies by deriving lessons from successful control of
other home environmental contaminants; namely, radon and
lead. These two agents are being controlled by a variety
of policy approaches, including federal regulations and
guidelines, public education, and economic incentives among
home buyers and sellers. We analyze the mold problem
and identify both similarities and differences with the radon
and lead situations in the United States. We recommend
policy approaches for controlling mold in homes that rely on
home marketing incentives, building and housing codes,
and maintenance and rehabilitation regulations, as well as
public education initiatives.
This literature review covers the risk assessment process and addresses both ecological and human receptors. The review covers the risk assessment literature including methodology, analysis, interpretation, management, uncertainty, policy, and regulatory guidance. The review is divided into ecological and human health sections. The focus of the review is on the risk assessment process as it is applied to ecological systems and human health, site investigation and remediation, and natural resources. The objective is to provide an overview of the scope of the literature published in 2011.
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