Fw: [moldtheseverereactor] Sick building syndrome in relation to domestic exposure in Sweden--a cohort study from 1991 to 2001.

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Sick building syndrome in relation to domestic exposure in

Sweden--a cohort study from 1991 to 2001.

Sahlberg B, Wieslander G, Norbäck D.

Scand J Public Health. 2010

May;38(3):232- 8. Epub 2009 Oct 22.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Uppsala University

Hospital and Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Bo.Sahlberg@ medsci.uu. se

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Most studies on sick building syndrome (SBS) are

cross-sectional and have dealt with symptoms among office workers. There are

very few longitudinal cohort studies and few studies on SBS in relation to

domestic exposures. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in SBS

symptoms during the follow-up period and also to investigate changes in

different types of indoor exposures at home and relate them to SBS symptoms in a

population sample of adults from Sweden. We also wanted to investigate if there

was any seasonal or regional variation in associations between exposure and SBS.

 

METHODS: A random sample of 1,000 people of the general population in

Sweden (1991) was sent a self administered questionnaire. A follow-up

questionnaire was sent in 2001.

 

RESULTS: An increased risk for onset of any skin symptoms (risk ratio (RR)

2.32, 1.37-3.93), mucosal symptoms (RR 3.17, 1.69-5.95) or general symptoms (RR

2.18, 1.29-3.70) was found for those who had dampness or moulds in the dwelling

during follow-up. In addition people living in damp dwellings had a lower

remission of general symptoms and skin symptoms.

 

CONCLUSIONS: Dampness in the dwelling is a risk factor for new onset of SBS

symptoms. Focus on indoor environment improvements in dwellings can be

beneficial both for the inhabitants and the general population. Reducing

dampness in buildings is an important factor for reducing SBS symptoms in the

general population.

PMID: 19850651 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]