Fungal and endotoxin measurements in dust associated with respiratory symptoms i

[Guest guest]

Fungal and endotoxin measurements in dust associated with

respiratory symptoms in a water-damaged office building

by Park-JH; -Ganser-J; Rao-C; Kreiss-K

The IEQ Review

http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000746344.cfm?

x=b90vV49,bvtv58G

Indoor Air

We investigated the associations of fungal and endotoxin levels in

office dust with respiratory health in 888 (67% participation)

occupants of a water-damaged building. We analyzed floor and chair

dusts from 338 workstations for culturable fungi and endotoxin.

Based on averages, we ranked each floor of the building as low,

medium, or high for occupants' exposure to each of these agents.

Multivariate logistic regression models for building-related

symptoms included this ranking of fungi and endotoxin, age, gender,

race, smoking status, and duration of occupancy. Using floor dust

measures, we found significantly increased odds for lower

respiratory symptoms [wheeze, chest tightness, attacks of shortness

of breath, and attacks of cough: odds ratios (OR) = 1.7 (95%

confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.77) to 2.4 (95% CI: 1.29-4.59)],

throat irritation [OR = 1.7, (95% CI: 1.06-2.82)], and rash/itchy

skin [OR = 3.0, (95% CI: 1.47-6.19)] in the highest fungal exposure

group compared to the lowest, with generally linear exposure-

response relationships. Nonlinear relationships were observed for

many of these symptoms and endotoxin in floor dust. Interaction

models showed that endotoxin modified effects of fungi on

respiratory symptoms.

Our findings of exposure interactions and exposure-response

relationships of fungal and endotoxin with increased risk of

building-related symptoms contribute to an understanding of the role

of microbial agents in building-related asthma and respiratory and

systemic symptoms.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for posting this.-

>

> Fungal and endotoxin measurements in dust associated with

> respiratory symptoms in a water-damaged office building

> by Park-JH; -Ganser-J; Rao-C; Kreiss-K

>

> The IEQ Review

>

> http://www.imakenews.com/pureaircontrols/e_article000746344.cfm?

> x=b90vV49,bvtv58G

>

> Indoor Air

>

> We investigated the associations of fungal and endotoxin levels in

> office dust with respiratory health in 888 (67% participation)

> occupants of a water-damaged building. We analyzed floor and chair

> dusts from 338 workstations for culturable fungi and endotoxin.

> Based on averages, we ranked each floor of the building as low,

> medium, or high for occupants' exposure to each of these agents.

>

> Multivariate logistic regression models for building-related

> symptoms included this ranking of fungi and endotoxin, age, gender,

> race, smoking status, and duration of occupancy. Using floor dust

> measures, we found significantly increased odds for lower

> respiratory symptoms [wheeze, chest tightness, attacks of shortness

> of breath, and attacks of cough: odds ratios (OR) = 1.7 (95%

> confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.77) to 2.4 (95% CI: 1.29-4.59)],

> throat irritation [OR = 1.7, (95% CI: 1.06-2.82)], and rash/itchy

> skin [OR = 3.0, (95% CI: 1.47-6.19)] in the highest fungal exposure

> group compared to the lowest, with generally linear exposure-

> response relationships. Nonlinear relationships were observed for

> many of these symptoms and endotoxin in floor dust. Interaction

> models showed that endotoxin modified effects of fungi on

> respiratory symptoms.

>

> Our findings of exposure interactions and exposure-response

> relationships of fungal and endotoxin with increased risk of

> building-related symptoms contribute to an understanding of the

role

> of microbial agents in building-related asthma and respiratory and

> systemic symptoms.

>