Children's respiratory health and mold levels in New Orleans after Katrina: A preliminary look

摘要: Background When the federal levee system broke after Hurricane Katrina, 80 percent of New Orleans, approximately 134,000 homes, flooded. As repopulation and revitalization activities continue, exposure to mold other respiratory irritants has emerged as a major health concern; however, there been no study examining children's indoor levels in post-Katrina environment. Objective The Children's Respiratory Health Study was designed preliminary examination air mold, lung function, common indices select sample children returning live Orleans immediately Katrina. Methods Children were recruited from private primary school Garden District Orleans. questionnaire spirometric data collected on 7 14 years age, sampling conducted at baseline again 2 months. Conclusions There an overall decrease symptoms over period, low despite reported hurricane damage.