Los Angeles County · Mold and health
Mold, Asthma and Kids: What Parents Should Know
The EPA lists mold as a common asthma trigger, and the CDC says people with asthma may react more strongly to mold. The WHO links damp, moldy homes with worse asthma and breathing symptoms. If your child has asthma, work with their doctor on an asthma plan and fix any moisture at home quickly.
- SourcesCDC, EPA, CDPH, WHO
- Our roleBuildings, not diagnosis
- CoverageAll of Los Angeles County
- Emergency24/7 response
- Call(213) 659-0672
The basics
Can mold trigger asthma?
Yes, for some people. The EPA names mold as one of the common indoor asthma triggers, along with dust mites, pests, pets and secondhand smoke. It says that in people with asthma who are allergic to mold, mold can trigger asthma attacks.
The CDC summarizes a 2004 Institute of Medicine review that found enough evidence to link indoor mold and dampness with asthma symptoms in people who have asthma. The WHO’s 2009 guidelines reached a similar view: people in damp or moldy buildings face more respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections and worsening asthma.
Does mold cause asthma in children?
That question is less settled than whether mold can trigger existing asthma. The WHO found evidence suggesting a link between dampness or mold and developing asthma, and the Institute of Medicine review cited by the CDC found limited evidence linking it with lower respiratory illness in otherwise healthy children. Neither says mold is the single cause.
Asthma has many possible causes and triggers, and only a doctor can diagnose it. What the agencies agree on is practical: a damp home isn’t a healthy home for kids, and fixing moisture is worth doing either way. For the wider picture, see our mold and health guide.
Signs to mention
What signs should you tell your child’s doctor about?
You don’t need to figure out the cause yourself. Write down what you notice and bring it to the appointment. These are the kinds of details the CDC and EPA connect with mold sensitivity.
- Breathing: coughing or wheezing, especially at night or in one room.
- Allergy-type symptoms: stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, red or itchy eyes, itchy skin. Dark mold isn’t a special case; see black mold facts vs myths.
- Patterns: symptoms that get worse at home and ease at a relative’s house or on vacation.
- The home itself: visible mold, a musty smell, recent leaks or condensation on windows.
| Agency | What it says about mold and asthma |
|---|---|
| EPA | Mold is a common asthma trigger and can trigger attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to it. |
| CDC | People with asthma or mold allergies may have more intense reactions to mold. |
| WHO | Damp, moldy buildings raise the risk of respiratory symptoms, infections and worse asthma. |
| CDPH | Dampness, visible mold or mold odor indoors should be treated as unhealthy. |
Plain-language summaries of agency positions, not medical advice.
At home
How can you reduce mold at home for a child with asthma?
Start with moisture. The EPA advises keeping indoor humidity below 60 percent, ideally 30 to 50 percent, and drying anything wet within 24 to 48 hours. In LA, that usually means bathrooms, closets on outside walls, and windows in older apartments.
- Talk to the doctor first. Ask about an asthma action plan and whether allergy testing makes sense for your child.
- Fix leaks and dry things out. Under-sink drips, roof leaks after a storm and AC condensate lines are common LA sources.
- Ventilate. Run bathroom fans and kitchen hoods. Near the coast, marine layer humidity makes this matter even in summer. Our bathroom mold guide covers the common trouble spots.
- Keep kids out of cleanup. The CDC advises people with asthma to stay away from mold cleanup. An adult without breathing problems should handle small areas, with gloves, goggles and an N-95 respirator.
- Get help for anything bigger. The EPA’s guideline is about 10 square feet. Above that, or if mold is inside walls, have it assessed.
For long-term habits, see our mold prevention checklist for LA homes. If you want to know whether hidden mold is behind a musty smell, air quality testing can compare indoor spores with an outdoor sample. It measures the home, not your child’s health.
Renters
What if you rent and the landlord won’t fix the mold?
California law treats visible mold growth as a substandard housing condition under SB 655, with an exception for minor mold on surfaces that normally get wet, like a shower. You don’t need to prove a health effect to report it, and you don’t need a paid test.
In the City of LA, call LAHD at (866) 557-7368 for a free inspection. In unincorporated areas and cities that follow the County health code, call LA County Public Health Environmental Health at (888) 700-9995. Long Beach, Pasadena and Santa Monica handle their own complaints, and in Glendale or Torrance call city hall; see who to call about mold in your city and our LA renter mold hub. This isn’t legal advice; contact Bet Tzedek or a tenant lawyer for your situation.
A doctor’s note about your child’s asthma may help explain why repairs are urgent, but ask your doctor about that, not us. Families with ongoing, hard-to-explain symptoms may also want our page on mold-sensitive households.
Questions
Mold and asthma questions parents ask
Can mold make my child’s asthma worse?
It can. The EPA lists mold as a common asthma trigger, and the CDC says people with asthma may react more strongly to mold. Talk to your child’s doctor about their asthma plan and mention any mold or dampness at home.
Can mold cause asthma in kids?
The evidence is less certain. The WHO found evidence suggesting a link between damp, moldy homes and developing asthma, but neither the WHO nor the CDC calls mold the single cause. Only a doctor can diagnose asthma.
Should I test my home if my child has asthma?
Not usually as a first step. The CDPH and LA County Public Health say testing isn’t needed to judge health risk. If you can see or smell mold, fix the moisture and remove it. Testing helps when mold is hidden or you need documentation.
Can my child stay home during mold cleanup?
Keep children, and anyone with asthma, away from the work area. The CDC advises people with breathing problems to stay out of mold cleanup. For larger jobs, ask your doctor whether your child should stay elsewhere until the area is cleaned and cleared.
Does an air purifier help with mold and asthma?
A HEPA air cleaner can catch airborne particles, but it won’t stop mold growing on a wet wall. The EPA’s main advice is controlling moisture. Ask your child’s doctor whether an air cleaner fits their asthma plan.
Is mold allergy the same as asthma?
No. A mold allergy is an allergic reaction to mold, and asthma is a long-term lung condition. They can overlap: the EPA says mold can trigger attacks in people with asthma who are allergic to it. A doctor can test for allergies.
Sources
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold and asthma triggers: epa.gov/mold
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mold and health: cdc.gov/mold
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH), statement on building dampness, mold and health
- World Health Organization (WHO), Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality: Dampness and Mould (2009)
- LA Housing Department (LAHD): housing.lacity.gov
Last updated November 2026. This page is general information from public health agencies, not medical advice. We’re mold professionals, not medical providers; talk to your doctor about symptoms. Legal notes are not legal advice.
Want the moisture problem found and fixed?
Call (213) 659-0672, 24/7 across Los Angeles County. We’ll find where the water is coming from, explain what we see, and give you a written quote before any work starts.