School children - formaldehyde and moulds

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Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2001 Nov;5(11):1059-66

<A HREF= " http:// " >

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_u

ids=11716342 & dopt=Abstract</A>

Incidence of asthma diagnosis and self-reported allergy in relation to the

school environment--a four-year follow-up study in schoolchildren.

Smedje G, Norback D.

Department of Medical Sciences/Occupational and Environmental Medicine,

Uppsala University, Sweden. <A HREF= " mailto:greta.smedje@... " >

greta.smedje@...</A>

SETTING: In schools, the indoor air quality is often poor and there is

growing concern about its impact on the pupils' health. OBJECTIVE: To study

the incidence of asthma diagnosis and self-reported allergy in schoolchildren

in relation to the school environment. DESIGN: Data on asthma and allergies

were collected through a postal questionnaire answered in 1993 and 1997 by

1347 (78%) pupils (initially aged 7-13 years) in 39 randomly chosen schools.

Indoor pollutants were measured in about 100 classrooms in 1993 and 1995.

Relationships between indoor pollutants and incidence of asthma diagnosis and

self-reported allergy were studied by multiple logistic regression, adjusting

for age, sex, atopy and smoking. RESULTS: The incidence of asthma diagnosis

was higher in pupils attending schools with more settled dust and more cat

allergen (Fel d 1) in this dust. Incidence of self-reported furry pet allergy

was higher in schools with more respirable particles. Among children without

a history of atopy, a new asthma diagnosis was more common at higher

concentrations of formaldehyde and total moulds in the classroom air.

CONCLUSION: A school environment with more dust, cat allergen, formaldehyde

and moulds may affect the incidence of asthma and sensitivity to furry pets

in schoolchildren.

PMID: 11716342 [PubMed - in process]

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