No abstract available.
Sick Building Syndrome*

The number of fungus spores in the air is greater compared to that of pollen and also is less influenced by season. Recently there is increasing interest in the role of fungus as an allergen and causative factor of sick building syndrome. There are several kinds of samplers for the collection of fungus spore in outdoor and/or indoor air such as Durham sampler, rotorod sampler, personal volumetric air sampler, seven-day recording volumetric spore trap, and portable air sampler for agar plates. Because personal volumetric air sampler is small, rechargeable and volumetric equipment, it is suitable for air sampling indoors. Portable air sampler for agar plates is useful for fungus culture from indoor and outdoor air. According to the results of our study on distribution of fungus spores in indoor and outdoor air by using personal volumetric air sampler, Cladosporium and Leptosphaeria were common spores in indoor and outdoor air. The number of spores in indoor air was closely correlated with that in outdoor air. Therefore it would be necessary to establish a standard method for collecting the fungus spores. We need to perform the nationwide study on distribution of fungus spores using this method, and to evaluate the allergenicity of fungus spores.
Agar ; Cladosporium ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Pollen ; Seasons ; Sick Building Syndrome ; Spores*

The characters of modern buildings such as higher airtightness, frequent usage of artificial materials and artificial air conditionings provide suitable conditions for flourishing of microorganisms, especially fungi. Indoor fungi could produce unacceptable musty smells and cause structural damage of building. But the more serious effects are the threatening on human health. They could provoke several allergic diseases, sick building syndrome, organic dust toxic syndrome, and could be the important causative agents of infectious diseases in the immunocompromized host. This paper review the characters, physiology, epidemiology and isolation techniques of the indoor fungi to provide the basic ideas to control the indoor fungi.
Air Conditioning ; Communicable Diseases ; Dust ; Epidemiology ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Physiology ; Sick Building Syndrome ; Smell

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and other factors contributing to probable mental health problems among university laboratory staffs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 264 laboratory staffs in UPM. Data was collected using validated self-administrated questionnaires consists of Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and SBS. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. In total, about 28% of the participants reported having probable mental health problems. The prevalence of SBS was 31.4%. After controlling for confounders, the significant factors for probable mental health problems were job insecurity (AOR 2.33, 95% CI 0.212- 0.867), job demand (AOR 1.12, 95% CI 0.445-0.921), fatigue (AOR 0.94, 95% CI 0.162-1.425), drowsiness (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 1.023-4.647) and household income (AOR 0.339, 95% CI0.166-0.995).Results visibly showed that psychosocial factors and symptoms of SBS at their working environment contribute to probable mental health problems among laboratory staffs. The strongest predictors in this study were job insecurity. Hence, further assessment and preventive measures should be carried out to reduce the risk factors of probable mental health problems and to improve working environment among university laboratory staffs.
Probable mental health problems ; Job Content Questionnaire ; laboratory workers ; Sick Building Syndrome ; UPM

Building-related illness is an increasingly common problem. The disease fall into two categories : those that have an identifiable cause-such as legionellosis, humidifier fever, and conditions resulting from exposure to known substances such as asbestos, lead in paint, formaldehyde, etc-and those that have no readily identifiable cause but can be described only by a group of symptoms known as sick building syndrome (SBS). Although objective physiologic abnormalities are generally not found and permanent sequelae are rare, the symptoms of SBS can be uncomfortable, even disabling, and whole workplaces may be rendered non-functional. In assessment of patients with SBS complaints, specific building-related illnesses should be ruled out by history or physical examination. On-site assessment of buildings is extremely useful. Symptoms of non-specific building-related illnesses are common ; their heterogeneity suggests that they do not represent a single disorder. Although there is little convincing, direct evidence to implicate specific causative agents, there is sufficient indirect evidence to support a number of recommendations. For example, it seems prudent to maintain an outdoor-air supply of more than 10 liters per second per person ; to select the building materials, furnishings, and equipments that are least likely to release pollutants such as formaldehyde or volatile organic compounds ; to ensure proper maintenance and cleaning ; and to avoid materials that may act as substrates for the proliferation of microbes or dust mites.
Asbestos ; Construction Materials ; Dust ; Fever ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Humidifiers ; Legionellosis ; Mites ; Paint ; Physical Examination ; Population Characteristics ; Sick Building Syndrome ; Volatile Organic Compounds

A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for symptoms associated with sick building syndrome in four office buildings located in Seoul. Information on personal factors, job-related factors, and medical history were collected using self-administered questionnaires modified from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Indoor Air Quality questionnaire in 321 office workers in these buildings. The prevalence of general and irritant symptom groups was higher than the prevalence of dermatologic and respiratory symptom groups. Daily total work time, work time in the office, and work time with video display terminals(VDT) were identified as the risk factors for symptom groups associated with sick building syndrome by multiple linear logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, these results indicated that the symptom prevalence in this study is similar with the results reported from previous studies conducted in other countries and work time and work with VDT are related to sick building syndrome in Korea.
Air Pollution, Indoor ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Sick Building Syndrome*

PURPOSE: Indoor air quality (IAQ) in the radiation treatment center which is generally located underground is important to the health of hospital workers and patients treated over a long period of time. This study was conducted to measure and analyze the factors related to IAQ and subjective symptoms of sick building syndrome, and to establish the causes influencing IAQ and find a solution to the problems. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Self administrated questionnaire was conducted to check the workers' symptoms and understanding of the work environment. Based on a preliminary investigation, the factors related to IAQ such as temperature, humidity, fine particulate. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and radon gas were selected and measured for a certain period of time in specific sites where hospital workers stay long in a day. And we also evaluated the surrounding environment and the efficiency of the ventilating system simultaneously, and measured the same factors at the first floor (outdoor) to compare with outdoor air quality. All collected data were assessed by the recommended standard for IAQ of the domestic and international environmental organizations. RESULTS: Hospital workers were discontented with foul odors, humidity and particulate. They complained symptoms related to musculo-skeletal system, neurologic system, and mucosal-irritatation. Most of the factors were not greater than the recommended standard, but the level of TVOC was third or fourth times as much as the measuring level of some offices in the United States. The frequency and the amount of the ventilating system were adequate, however, the problem arising in the position of outdoor-air inlets and indoor-air outlets involved a risk of the indraft of contaminated air. A careful attention was a requirement in handling and keeping chemical substances including a developing solution which has a risk of TVOC emissions, and repositioning the ventilating system was needed to solve the contaminated-air circulation immediately. CONCLUSION: We verified that some IAQ-related factors and inadequate ventilating system could cause subjective symptoms in hospital workers. The evaluation of IAQ was surely needed to improve the underground working environments for hospital workers and patients. On the basis of these data, from now on, we should actively engage in designs of the department of radiation oncology or improvement in environments of the existing facilities.
Air Pollution, Indoor* ; Bays ; Carbon Dioxide ; Carbon Monoxide ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Humidity ; Odors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Radiation Oncology* ; Radon ; Sick Building Syndrome ; United States ; Volatile Organic Compounds

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Concerns about the quality of indoor air have increased recently. However, there has not been any significant research conducted concerning the patterns of histologic and organic changes induced in humans by indoor air pollution. The aim of the study is to investigate the organic changes of nasal mucosa and nasal symptoms due to exposed concentrations of indoor air pollution. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We studied fourteen people from four families, all of whom had plans to move into new apartments. We measured the quantities of indoor air pollution before their move, one week after moving in, and then one month after the move. Other clinical tests such as an acoustic rhinometry, olfactory tests and nasal smears were performed. RESULTS: Mean concentrations of Total Volatile Organic Chemicals (TVOCs) and aldehydes showed an increase after moving into the new apartments. Post-move acoustic rhinometry, Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) test and endoscopic findings showed a decrease in nasal function and patency. Additionally, in nasal smears, eosinophils with bilobulated nuclei were observed, and eosinophil count showed a pattern of increase. CONCLUSION: High concentrations of indoor air pollutants could induce organic changes of the nasal cavities and cause the recession of olfactory function. Due to indoor air pollutants, hypersensitivity of nasal mucosa was induced, and histological changes of nasal mucosa as well as hematological changes were observed. These indicate that indoor air pollution impinges on the nasal mucosa and cause nasal symptoms.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Aldehydes ; Connecticut ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Mucosa ; Organic Chemicals ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; Sick Building Syndrome

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between sick building syndrome (SBS) and the factors affecting SBS among 90 office workers. The study consisted of 1) a review of previous environmental investigations, 2) measurements of COy temperature, and relative humidity (RH), 3) a questionnaire survey of symptom prevalence and perception of environmental conditions using the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Indoor Air Quality (NIOSH IAQ) questionnaire, and 4) confidential interview and a review of medical records of employees having respiratory symptoms. COy temperature, and RH measured on the day of questionnaire survey were within the recommended range by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). Sixty-six percent of respondents were women and 60% considered their job description either "managerial (28%) "or "professional (32%)". Respondents had worked in the building for an average of 5.8 years. Forty-four percent reported having SBS defined as "having one or more symptoms that had occurred at work one or more days a week and tended to get better when away from work". Sex(p=0.001), duration of computer use(p=0.02), use of laser printer (p=0.02), use of cleanser or other office chemicals (p=0.004), feeling too little air movement (p=0.001), feeling air too dry(p=0.001), and unsatisfied with the current job(p=0.02) were related to an increased prevalence of SBS. Use of cleanser or other office chemicals (pO. 01), feeling too little air movement (p=0.01), and feeling air too dry (p=0.02) remained significant predictors of SBS when adjusting other variables by logistic regression analysis. The results of medical record review revealed a discrepancy in the number of diagnosed asthma cases by personal physician and an independent physician. Although this study contains several .limitations (e. g., cross-sectional study, small numbers of study, subjects, etc.), these results indicated that SBS is related to personal, environmental, and psychosocial factors and the precision of diagnosis is critical when evaluating environment-relatedness during disease cluster investigation.
Air Movements ; Air Pollution, Indoor ; Asthma ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Data Collection ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Humidity ; Job Description ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Questionnaires ; Sick Building Syndrome*

BACKGROUND: Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to the combination of symptoms experienced by occupants of specific building characteristics. This study investigated the associations of children's lifestyle behaviors, allergies, home, and school environment with SBS symptoms. METHODS: A total of 4408 elementary school children living in Sapporo City, Japan participated in this study. SBS was determined on parental answers to MM080 standardized school questionnaires on symptoms that were weekly experienced by these children, and if the symptom is attributed to their home or school environment. The Japanese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess wheeze, rhino-conjunctivitis, and eczema. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between SBS symptoms and variables by controlling the potential confounders (gender, grade, school, and parental history of allergies). A stepwise backward elimination was conducted to assess independent variables related to SBS. RESULTS: Participants revealed mucosal (6.9%), skin (2.0%), and general (0.8%) symptoms. The presence of one or more allergy was associated with increased mucosal and skin symptoms. Children who skipped breakfast, displayed faddiness (like/dislike of food), had constipation, have insufficient sleep, did not feel refreshed after sleep, and lacked deep sleep showed significantly high odds ratios with SBS symptoms. The stepwise analysis showed faddiness for mucosal symptoms and not feeling refreshed after sleep for mucosal and skin symptoms, whereas constipation and lacking deep sleep for general symptoms were independent variables in increasing the symptoms. We found no significant relationship between SBS in children and schools. Considering children's home, old building, no ventilation, wall-to-wall carpet, and heavy nearby traffic were associated with elevated mucosal symptom, while living in a multifamily home increased general symptoms. Home dampness was an independent variable in increasing all SBS symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Allergies and lifestyle behaviors were associated with increased SBS in children, including skipping breakfast, displaying faddiness, constipation, insufficient sleep, not feeling refreshed after sleep, and the lack of deep sleep. Further, dampness at home was associated with increase in all SBS symptoms. Lifestyle (e.g., eating and sleeping habits) and home (i.e., dampness) improvements might alleviate SBS symptoms in children.
Child ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environment ; Housing ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Japan ; Life Style ; Prevalence ; Schools ; statistics & numerical data ; Sick Building Syndrome ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Students ; statistics & numerical data