ABSTRACT
The overview of endogenous mold exposure is in part based on research carried out in our allergy practice and also reflects conditions encountered in Southern California. Environmental mold exposure has been the primary concern of the allergist, pulmonologist, and epidemiologist. Avoiding or minimizing exposure of patients with cystic fibrosis to Aspergillus might reduce some of their pulmonary complications and improve the quality of their lives. Similar avoidance might also reduce the risk of mold-sensitive patients in developing allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. In actuality, exposure to most mold spores is sporadic, reflecting the impact of outdoor activity, vegetation, and weather conditions, in addition to a variety of indoor factors. Much of our effort has been directed toward defining "normal mold spore exposure," indoor and outdoor factors of importance in determining indoor mold levels, and clarifying indoor conditions that significantly alter endogenous mold exposure. Mold spore counts have limited value in assessing the importance of particular genera in causing disease.
