In the United States, one in 10 children suffers from asthma but the potential environmental factors contributing to the disease are not well known. Cincinnati-based researchers now report new evidence that exposure to three types of mold during infancy may have a direct link to asthma development during childhood, according to ScienceDaily.

These forms of mold -- Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus unguis and Penicillium variabile -- are typically found growing in water-damaged homes, putting a spotlight on the importance of mold remediation for public health.

"This is strong evidence that indoor mold contributed to asthma development and this stresses the urgent need for remediating water damage in homes, particularly in lower income, urban areas where this is a common issue," says Reponen. "Therapeutics for asthma may be more efficient if targeted toward specific mold species."

Click here for details on the complete study.