Table 2 Medical conditions associated with fungal and bacterial exposure during unusual indoor exposure
Organ system/pathway | Clinical effect | Exposure/agents |
|---|---|---|
Upper airways: nose, sinuses, throat | Rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis | Fungi, allergens, irritants, MVOCs, particles |
Lower airways: lung with bronchial system and alveoli | Bronchitis, asthma, bronchiolitis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), allergic extrinsic alveolitis (also known as hypersensitivity pneumonitis), toxic alveolitis, pneumonitis | Fungi, allergens, fungal by-products, fine particles |
Combined upper and lower airway | Aspergillosis; fungal rhino-sinusitis | Fungi, fine particles, fungal irritants, allergens |
Skin and mucous membranes | Urticaria, dermatitis (allergic or irritant type), conjunctivitis | Fungal irritants, allergens |
Other organs: central nervous system, immune system, liver, kidney, endocrine system | Cognitive and psychiatric disorders; hepatitis, nephritis, thyroid, menses disorders (under investigation, anecdotal; commonly found in combination with other symptoms and disorders listed) | Fungi, organic dusts, microbial by-products, mycotoxins |