LATEX: A peculiar biological component in airborne particles?

In a study in the USA, latex allergens have beenidentified in airborne particles. Natural rubber(latex) is a product from the plant Heveabrasiliensis and is largely used in the tireindustry. In the vicinity of roads, latex can becomeairborne due to wear-off processes of tires.Sensitisation to latex has been increasing in the lastdecade; an important pathway for the sensitisation ismediated by the airways. It is not known, if thisconcerns mainly laboratory personnel or if this isalso an environmental problem. This study investigated the content of latex inairborne particles in the vicinity of a road withmoderate traffic, in comparison to a control site.Latex was determined in a competitive ELISA based onpolyclonal IgE antibodies. During spring and summer,collected airborne dust was analysed for the contentof protein and latex. Latex concentrations inPM10 in the city were higher than at the controlsite. At both sites, latex levels were significantlylower in PM2.5 than in PM1

Determination of birch pollen allergens in different aerosol sizes

Allergens in fine particles may cause symptoms inallergic asthmatics. In order to assess the exposureof susceptible persons, a method to measure theallergen load in fine and coarse particles wasdeveloped. Aerosols are collected with a high-volume air samplerby multistage impaction. They are separated into fivesize classes, ranging from >10 μm to 10 μm). In smallersized fractions, the allergen load is often close tothe detection limit. When clearly detectable amountsof allergen are present, in the fine size fraction theallergen load shows only a weak correlation to thepollen counts and the allergen concentrations in thecoarse particle fractio

Comparison of airborne spore concentrations and fungal allergen content

The exposure to spores causing health effects is usually assessed by determining the concentration of viable spores per cubic meter of air (CFU/m3).Since allergens might also be present in dead spores or smaller particles, the objective of this study was to investigate the correlation between the viable spores of Alternaria and Cladosporium at different indoor and outdoor sites and the corresponding allergen concentration detected with a specially developed ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). In outdoor air, the results show a strong correlation between the different sampling techniques applied for viable spores (Slit-Sampler and Multistage Liquid Impinger) and between the viable spores and the allergen concentrations detected in the liquid samples of the impingers. Indoors, the number of viable spores and the allergen concentration do not correlate and the allergen load is underestimated if colony counting methods are use

Validity of Annoyance Scores for Estimation of Long Term Air Pollution Exposure in Epidemiologic Studies: The Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults (SAPALDIA)

In air pollution epidemiology, estimates of long term exposure are often based on measurements made at one fixed site monitor per area. This may lead to exposure misclassification. The present paper validates a questionnaire-based indicator of ambient air pollution levels and its applicability to assess their within-area variability. Within the framework of the SAPALDIA (Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults) cross-sectional study (1991), 9,651 participants reported their level of annoyance caused by air pollution on an 11-point scale. This subjective measure was compared with annual mean concentrations of particulate matter less than 10 μm in diameter (PM10) and nitrogen dioxide. The impact of individual factors on reported scores was evaluated. Nitrogen dioxide concentrations at home outdoors (measured in 1993), smoking, workplace dust exposure, and respiratory symptoms were found to be predictors of individual annoyance scores. Regression of population mean annoyance scores against annual mean PM10 and nitrogen dioxide concentrations (measured in 1993 and 1991, respectively) across areas showed a linear relation and strong correlations (r > 0.85). Analysis within areas yielded consistent results. The observed associations between subjective and objective air pollution exposure estimates suggest that population mean scores, but not individual scores, may serve as a simple tool for grading air quality within areas. Reported annoyance due to air pollution should be considered an indicator for a complex environmental condition and thus might be used for evaluating the implementation of environmental policie

Field study of natural, mechanical and hybrid ventilation systems of 27 office buildings in the temperate zone country Switzerland

Analyses in this study focus on characteristics of three different clusters of ventilation for office buildings. These comprise natural, mechanical and hybrid ventilation. In a major project study, extensive data was collected from 27 office buildings. Besides physically measurable parameters, psycho-social-oriented surveys of building users and information about building-specific constructional or building technology were compiled. In a selection, results of indoor air quality (IAQ) and indoor environment quality (IEQ) were compared with current standards. Thom’s Discomfort Index (DI) suggested that, for all three clusters, populations feeling discomfort are to be expected during the summer months. Responses for certain aspects corresponding to IEQ and IAQ showed a remarkable seasonal divergence of satisfaction with air temperature for naturally ventilated buildings. The appearance of stagnant air is found to occur in its strongest form in naturally and hybrid ventilated buildings. Mechanically ventilated buildings were reported as having the lowest values for satisfaction with air humidity in winter. Each ventilation system comprises characteristic advantages and disadvantages. A tendency might favour, at least seasonally, mechanically or hybrid ventilated buildings. Differences between these two systems are not significant in this sample. The result raises the question of how much technical effort is actually necessary to provide satisfactory ventilation

Impact of Ozone-initiated Terpene Chemistry on Indoor Air Quality and Human Health

The ECA Report no. 26 on ¿Ozone-Initiated Chemistry and Its impact on Indoor Air Quality and Human Health¿ summarises the current state-of-the-art concerning indoor air pollution and health due to chemical reactions occurring indoors makes recommendation for research priorities for the future. More sepcifically, a state-of-the-art review on the scientific evidence concerning ozone-initiated terpene chemistry and related human health effects is given along with measurements methods so far developed to monitor the concentration of the key reactants ozone and terpene and finally a risk assessment methodology for indoor ozone-initiated terpene chemistry is described.JRC.I.5-Physical and chemical exposure

SAPALDIA: Methods and participation in the cross-sectional part of the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults

Summary: SAPALDIA-the Swiss Study on Air Pollution and Lung Diseases in Adults-focuses on the long term health effects of low to moderate levels of air pollutants as typically seen in different parts of Switzerland. The aim of the SAPALDIA cross-sectional study carried out in 1991 was to determine the prevalence of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergic conditions in the adult population of Switzerland and to identify and to determine the respective importance of potentially influencing factors. These could be both personal (smoking habits, allergy status, family history, occupation) and environmental (outdoor and indoor pollution, aeroallergens, climate). A further aim of the cross-sectional study consisted in the identification of individuals susceptible to present symptoms during a two year observation period and to be included in the SAPALDIA follow-up study. This technical report represents the methodological documentation for the cross-sectional study of SAPALDIA. The instruments and the methods of standardisation are presented and discussed. The medical examination consisted of a computerised interview using a standardised questionnaire, the taking of a blood sample for serological tests, allergy skin testing, the measurement of endexpiratory CO and body height, and pulmonary function testing followed by methacholine challenge testing or bronchodilatation testing. The pattern of participation and the 9651 participants of the study, representing 59.3% of the sample, are described. Based on information on non-participants gained by telephone interviews and mailed short questionnaires, possible selection biases are quantified and discusse