A Citizen-Science Study Documents Environmental Exposures and Asthma Prevalence in Two Communities

J Environ Public Health. 2016:2016:1962901. doi: 10.1155/2016/1962901. Epub 2016 Nov 24.

Abstract

A citizen-science study was conducted in two low-income, flood-prone communities in Atlanta, Georgia, in order to document environmental exposures and the prevalence of occupant asthma. Teams consisting of a public-health graduate student and a resident from one of the two communities administered a questionnaire, inspected residences for mold growth, and collected a dust sample for quantifying mold contamination. The dust samples were analyzed for the 36 molds that make up the Environmental Relative Moldiness Index (ERMI). Most residents (76%) were renters. The median duration of residence was 2.5 years. Although only 12% of occupants reported a history of flooding, 46% reported at least one water leak. Homes with visible mold (35%) had significantly (P < 0.05) higher mean ERMI values compared to homes without (14.0 versus 9.6). The prevalence of self-reported, current asthma among participants was 14%. In logistic regression models controlling for indoor smoking, among participants residing at their current residence for two years or less, a positive association was observed between asthma and the homes' ERMI values (adjusted odds ratio per unit increase in ERMI = 1.12, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.01-1.25; two-tailed P = 0.04). Documentation of the exposures and asthma prevalence has been presented to the communities and public officials. Community-based organizations have taken responsibility for planning and implementing activities in response to the study findings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Air Microbiology*
  • Air Pollution, Indoor / analysis*
  • Asthma / chemically induced
  • Asthma / epidemiology*
  • Asthma / microbiology
  • Community Participation
  • Dust / analysis
  • Environmental Exposure*
  • Female
  • Floods
  • Fungi / physiology*
  • Georgia / epidemiology
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Dust