The Center for School Mold Help

We are sometimes told that there are no standards (acceptable levels) for mold exposure, as no dose-response relationship has been established in studies. The question may be asked, "Why doesn’t dose-response theory apply in the case of human mold exposure in buildings?"

Q: Why doesn’t dose-response theory apply in the case of human mold exposure in buildings?

A: Simply because there are too many variables occurring simultaneously within water-damaged buildings.  People are not being exposed to just one contaminant at a time. In addition to simultaneous exposures, they are being exposed for varying periods of time that cannot be controlled as is necessary to satisfy requirements for accurate dose-response (1) experimentation. Also, because people's immune systems are different, their individual levels of exposure before illness occurs are also different and dependant upon their own susceptibility. Therefore, it is scientifically impossible to myopically apply mathematical extrapolations to merely one set of data and conclude a relevant dose from the multiple contaminants that are occurring in the real life setting of a water-damaged building. These contaminants include, but are not limited to, molds, bacteria, mycotoxins, endotoxins, MVOC's, etc. (S. Kramer, reviewed by Dr. David C. Straus)

(1) Dose-response relationship
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

"The Dose-response relationship describes the change in effect on an organism caused by differing levels of exposure (or doses) to a stressor (usually a chemical). This may apply to individuals (eg: a small amount has no observable effect, a large amount is fatal), or to populations (eg: how many people are affected at different levels of exposure).

Studying dose response, and developing dose response models, is central to determining "safe" and "hazardous" levels and dosages for drugs, potential pollutants, and other substances that humans are exposed to. These conclusions are often the basis for public policy."