Following hurricane and flooding events, air tightness was the most significant factor across regions to predict indoor mold spore concentrations consistently in impacted residential buildings, according to a recent study in Environment International. 

The study analyses showed that the key factors for predicting mold spores are maximum flood depth, presence of a bathroom exhaust fan, central air ventilation, air tightness, and window blind status. 

This study looked at regions in Louisiana, Florida, and the Northeast, and determined air tightness was the most significant factor consistently across regions, while maximum flood depth was less influential in individual regions.  

Maximum flood depth demonstrated a strong and consistent correlation with increased mold spore counts, indicating that areas experiencing greater flood depths are more prone to severe mold issues. When floodwaters recede, these materials often remain damp for extended periods, providing a persistent source of moisture that molds require to thrive, the study found. Factors such as roof age were consistently found to have relatively smaller, yet important impacts on mold spores. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands as a WHO Collaborating Centre on artificial intelligence (AI) for health governance.

AI has the potential to reshape healthcare, save lives, and improve health and well-being. However, harnessing its benefits for good requires collaboration from stakeholders committed to robust governance, ethical safeguards, and evidence-based policies, WHO said.  

The WHO Collaborating Centre designation recognizes the Digital Ethics Centre at Delft University of Technology’s decades-long history of cutting-edge research on responsible innovation, and its leadership in incorporating ethical values into design requirements for digital technologies. This inauguration marks the continuation of a strong partnership between the Digital Ethics Centre and WHO, with the two entities jointly organizing international consultations, workshops, and the development of normative guidance and training in the past.   

“WHO is committed to helping member states plan, govern, and adopt responsible AI technologies,” said Dr. Alain Labrique, WHO director of digital health and innovation. “We are witnessing remarkable progress, with AI poised to transform health systems and support individuals on their health journeys. To ensure these benefits reach everyone ethically, safely, and equitably, we rely on strong technical and academic partnerships that guide us in this rapidly evolving field.”  

The Collaborating Centre on AI for health governance will be instrumental in WHO’s efforts to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI for health by advancing research on priority topics and providing expert input for WHO’s guidance development and policymaking. The center will serve as a hub for education and advocacy for science-driven research and facilitate knowledge-sharing and training through regional and country-level workshops.   

The Responsible and Ethical AI for Healthcare Lab, a collaboration between Delft University of Technology and its partners, will provide valuable insight into the challenges involved in the successful implementation of WHO guidance in clinical practice.