The literature does not provide a consistent approach to determining severity of moisture damage in buildings and its impact on occupants' exposure and health. We have undertaken a series of studies; our goal is to find an objective, logical model useful in identifying potential health consequences related to excessive moisture. The database included a random sample of Finnish housing stock (630 residences) collected during 1993-1996 and more detailed information on moisture damage from 164 houses. Questionnaire responses were collected from the occupants of all residences. The first scheme developed to rate moisture damage of the residences was a three-level grading system based on technical criteria. Later, ten moisture damage characteristics were identified, and their association with occupants' reported health symptoms was analyzed. Following, integrated models were developed using knowledge-based and statistical approaches, associating indexes of selected damage variables with the symptoms. The models provide information useful in assessing moisture damage both qualitatively and quantitatively.

• bacteria
• building: residential, house, home : Finnish
• country: Europe : Finnish
• experiment: survey and questionnaire
• fungi: damage to buildings
• fungi: health effects
• fungi: indoor biocontamination -- health symptom

1. An approach to management of critical indoor air problems in school buildings
2. Analysis of moisture findings in the interior spaces of Finnish housing stock
3. Characteristics of moisture damage in houses and their association with self-reported symptoms of the occupants
4. Comparison of two-level and three-level classifications of moisture-damaged dwellings in relation to health effects
5. Knowledge-based and statistically modeled relationships between residential moisture damage and occupant reported health symptoms