DAMPNESS AND SICK BUILDING SYMDROME SYMPTOMS IN OFFICE BUILDING WORKERS

To evaluate dose-response relationships between airway inflammation/systemic symptoms and dampness exposure, we conducted a self-reported questionnaire study on risk factors among 1237 employees in 19 air-conditioned office buildings in the Taipei area. The odds ratio for eye irritation was 1.34 when either stuffy odor or mold was present in the buildings. The odds ratio increased to 1.72 when both stuffy odor and mold were present, to 3.14 when water damage was also present, and to 5.03 when four dampness exposure factors were present. Dampness in the building had a dose-response effect on eye irritation, cough, and lethargy/fatigue

INDOOR CHARACTERISTICS OF ENDOTOXIN AND GLUCAN IN ASSOCIATION WITH SICK BUILDING SYNDROME SYMPTOMS

Indoor bioaerosols (i.e., bacteria, fungi, endotoxin, and beta-1,3-glucan) were determined in daycare centers, office buildings, and domestic environments in the Taipei area. In addition, we used a questionnaire survey to determine associations between indoor dampness, bioaerosols, and airway inflammation and systemic symptoms. We demonstrated that the median levels of indoor bacteria and fungi were the highest in daycare centers, followed by those in homes and office buildings. Similar patterns were observed for endotoxin and beta-1,3-glucan. The prevalences of airway inflammation and systemic symptoms were higher for females in office buildings than for employees in daycare centers; all symptoms were more prevalent in females than males. With respect to the relationship between bioaerosol exposure and airway inflammation and systemic symptoms, we found a strong association between beta-1,3-glucan and lethargy/fatigue

Diagram of operating theater area of a hospital.

<p>A: post-operative room; B: kidney transplant room; C: traumatic surgery room; D: liver transplant room; E: instrument room; F: office; G: supply washing room; H: restaurant; I: delivery room.</p

Isolation rates of airborne bacteria (%)^† in the operating theater area.

†<p>: the number of specific isolated microorganism was divided by the total number of isolated microorganisms;</p>‡<p>: chi-square test.</p><p>POR: post-operative room; IR: instrument room; SWR: supply washing room; DR: delivery room; KTR: kidney transplant room; TR: traumatic surgery room; LTR: liver transplant room.</p

Correlation matrix of environmental factors in the operating theater area of a hospital.

*<p>: <i>p</i><0.05; **: <i>p</i><0.01; ^†: The bacterial concentration was calculated by geometric transformation.</p

Seasonal Changes in Endotoxin Exposure and Its Relationship to Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Exhaled Breath Condensate pH Levels in Atopic and Healthy Children.

Endotoxin, a component of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria, is a contaminant in organic dusts (house dust) and aerosols. In humans, small amounts of endotoxin may cause a local inflammatory response. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels, an inflammation indicator, are associated with the pH values of exhaled breath condensate (EBC). This study evaluated seasonal changes on indoor endotoxin concentrations in homes and the relationships between endotoxin exposure and eNO/EBC pH levels for healthy children and children with allergy-related respiratory diseases. In total, 34 children with allergy-related respiratory diseases and 24 healthy children were enrolled. Indoor air quality measurements and dust sample analysis for endotoxin were conducted once each season inside 58 surveyed homes. The eNO, EBC pH levels, and pulmonary function of the children were also determined. The highest endotoxin concentrations were on kitchen floors of homes of children with allergy-related respiratory diseases and healthy children, and on bedroom floors of homes of asthmatic children and healthy children. Seasonal changes existed in endotoxin concentrations in dust samples from homes of children with allergic rhinitis, with or without asthma, and in EBC pH values among healthy children and those with allergy-related respiratory diseases. Strong relationships existed between endotoxin exposure and EBC pH values in children with allergic rhinitis