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Biomedical subjects

D Norbäck

Publications and source records attributed to D Norbäck.

72 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Influence of indoor air quality and personal factors on the sick building syndrome (SBS) in Swedish geriatric hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: Sick building syndrome (SBS) involves symptoms such as irritation to the eyes, skin, and upper airways, headache, and fatigue. The relations between such symptoms and both personal and environmental factors were studied in 225 female hospital workers, working in eight hospital units in the south of Sweden. METHODS: Symptoms of SBS and personal factors were measured by means of a standardised self administered questionnaire. The technical investigation comprised a building survey and measurements of room temperature, supply air temperature, air humidity, and exhaust air flow. RESULTS: The prevalence of symptoms differed from one unit to another. The mean value of weekly complaints of fatigue was 30%, of eye irritation 23%, and of dry facial skin 34%. Eye irritation was related to work stress, self reported exposure to static electricity, and was also more common in buildings with a high ventilation flow and a high noise level (55 dB(A)) from the ventilation system. Nasal symptoms were related to asthma and hay fever only. Throat symptoms were more common in smokers, subjects with asthma or hay fever, new buildings, and in buildings with a high ventilation flow. Facial skin irritation was related to a lack of control of the work conditions, and was more common in new buildings, and buildings with a high ventilation flow and ventilation noise. General symptoms, such as headache and fatigue, were related to current smoking, asthma or hay fever, work dissatisfaction, and static electricity. CONCLUSION: As the prevalence of symptoms was high, there is a need to improve the indoor environment as well as the psychosocial environment in hospitals. These improvements could include a reduction of ventilation noise, minimised smoking, and improvements in the psychosocial climate. Further research is needed to identify indoor climatic factors that cause the increased prevalence of symptoms of SBS in new buildings.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1995

Asthmatic symptoms and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide in dwellings.

OBJECTIVES: As a part of the worldwide European Community respiratory health survey, possible relations between symptoms of asthma, building characteristics, and indoor concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in dwellings were studied. METHODS: The study comprised 88 subjects, aged 20-45 years, from the general population in Uppsala, a mid-Swedish urban community, selected by stratified random sampling. Room temperature, air humidity, respirable dust, carbon dioxide (CO2), VOCs, formaldehyde, and house dust mites were measured in the homes of the subjects. They underwent a structured interview, spirometry, peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements at home, methacholine provocation test for bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and skin prick tests. In addition, serum concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein (S-ECP), blood eosinophil count, and total immunoglobulin E (S-IgE) were measured. RESULTS: Symptoms related to asthma were more common in dwellings with house dust mites, and visible signs of dampness or microbial growth in the building. Significant relations were also found between nocturnal breathlessness and presence of wall to wall carpets, and indoor concentration of CO2, formaldehyde, and VOCs. The formaldehyde concentration exceeded the Swedish limit value for dwellings (100 micrograms/m3) in one building, and CO2 exceeded the recommended limit value of 1000 ppm in 26% of the dwellings, showing insufficient outdoor air supply. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness was related to indoor concentration of limonene, the most prevalent terpene. Variability in PEF was related to two other terpenes; alpha-pinen and delta-karen. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that indoor VOCs and formaldehyde may cause asthma-like symptoms. There is a need to increase the outdoor air supply in many dwelling, and wall to wall carpeting and dampness in the building should be avoided. Improved indoor environment can also be achieved by selecting building materials, building construction, and indoor activities on the principle that the emission of volatile organic compounds should be as low as reasonably achievable, to minimise symptoms related to asthma due to indoor air pollution.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to water-based paints and self-reported asthma, lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and lung function.

The associations between occupational exposure to water-based paints and the prevalence of self-reported asthma, other lower airway symptoms, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), and lung function were studied in house painters. Symptom prevalences were obtained from a self-administered questionnaire sent to 415 male painters during 1989-1992. Clinical investigations were carried out in three selected groups: 23 painters with asthmatic symptoms, nine painters with other lower airway symptoms, and 12 painters without airway symptoms. The clinical studies included lung function test, methacholine provocation test, and occurrence of atopy, confirmed by skin prick test to common allergens. In addition, a group of 18 young male painters with no occupational exposure to solvent-based paints were followed with dynamic spirometry before and after a workshift, when only water-based paints were used. The prevalence of self-reported asthma (7%) was somewhat, but not statistically, increased compared to an industrial population without exposure to water-based paints or other airway irritants. A decrease in FEV1 and FVC during the workday was observed in the young painters. In the clinical studies the painters exhibited increased BHR compared to the referents and a decreased FEV1. The number of years working as a painter was related to a decrease in FEV1, which was most pronounced in subjects with atopy who also reported lower airway symptoms in relation to the degree of work with water-based paints, but not to the degree of use of solvent-based paints. Our results indicate that house painters have an increased risk of airway problems.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Effect of air humidification on the sick building syndrome and perceived indoor air quality in hospitals: a four month longitudinal study.

The sensation of dryness and irritation is essential in the sick building syndrome (SBS), and such symptoms are common in both office and hospital employees. In Scandinavia, the indoor relative humidity in well ventilated buildings is usually in the range 10-35% in winter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of steam air humidification on SBS and perceived air quality during the heating season. The study base consisted of a dynamic population of 104 hospital employees, working in four new and well ventilated geriatric hospital units in southern Sweden. Air humidification raised the relative air humidity to 40-45% in two units during a four months period, whereas the other two units served as controls with relative humidity from 25-35%. Symptoms and perceived indoor air quality were measured before and after the study period by a standardised self administered questionnaire. The technical measurements comprised room temperature, air humidity, static electricity, exhaust air flow, aerosols, microorganisms, and volatile organic compounds in the air. The most pronounced effect of the humidification was a significant decrease of the sensation of air dryness, static electricity, and airway symptoms. After four months of air humidification during the heating season, 24% reported a weekly sensation of dryness in humidified units, compared with 73% in controls. No significant changes in symptoms of SBS or perceived air quality over time were found in the control group. The room temperature in all units was between 21-23 degrees C, and no significant effect of air humidification on the air concentration of aerosols or volatile organic compounds was found. No growth of microorganisms was found in the supply air ducts, and no legionella bacteria were found in the supply water of the humidifier. Air humidification, however, significantly reduced the measured personal exposure to static electricity. It is concluded that air humidification during the heating season in colder climates can decrease symptoms of SBS and perception of dry air.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Occupational exposure to water based paint and symptoms from the skin and eyes.

Water based paints contain organic solvents and many additives, such as biocides, surfactants, pigments, binders, amines, and monomers. The chemical complexity may introduce new potential health hazards to house painters, in particular irritative and allergic disorders. This study was performed to compare how house painters experience work with water based paints or solvent based paints, and to evaluate whether exposure to water based paints increases mucous membrane and dermal symptoms among house painters. 255 male house painters aged 20 to 65 were invited to participate in the study. Controls were two industrial populations, in total 302 men, without exposure to water based paints. Self administered questionnaires were used to assess the painter's experiences of working with different types of paints and the occurrence of symptoms in the exposed and unexposed groups. Hygiene measurements were performed during normal working days when only water based paints and no solvent based paints were used. The painters were exposed to low concentrations of dust, metals, ammonia, formaldehyde, and volatile organic compounds. The work environment was considered better when working with water based paints than with solvent based paints. There were more complaints of frequent urination when working with water based paint. Taste or olfactory disturbances were less common. General as well as work related eye and skin irritation was more common among the exposed workers. For other symptoms no significant differences were found. The study indicates that the introduction of water based paints has improved the work environment for house painters. Water based paints cause less discomfort and airway irritation than the earlier solvent based paints. Adverse general health effects seem low. Some of the painters may have dermal symptoms caused by the components in water based paints.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Environmental, occupational, and personal factors related to the prevalence of sick building syndrome in the general population.

Possible relations between prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) and environmental, occupational, and personal factors were studied in a random sample (0.1%) of the general population aged 20-65 in a three county region in middle Sweden. Childhood exposure to environmental tobacco smoke from smoking mothers and a childhood in urban areas was related to SBS symptoms. Current urban residency, fresh paint, and preschool children in the dwelling were also related to symptoms. Other residential factors such as age of building, type of building, degree of crowding, mechanical ventilation, or signs of moisture or mould growth were not related to symptoms. Other factors related to symptoms were history of atopy, allergy to nickel, proneness to infection, hyperreactivity, static electricity, work with video display units (VDU), work satisfaction, and climate of cooperation at work. Age, sex, marital state, education level, work stress, obesity, current or earlier smoking, regular physical exercise, or occupational exposure to chemicals did not correlate with symptoms. Women had a higher proportion of symptoms than men but these differences were not significant when adjusting for differences in allergy to nickel, hyperreactivity, and proneness to infection. Maternal smoking was related to a twofold increase of both atopy and allergy to nickel in the adult offspring. Eye symptoms were most common in administrative, managerial, and service work. Airway symptoms were most common in transport and communication work. Dermal symptoms were most common in professional and technical and related work. General symptoms were most common in service, health, hospital, and social work. The lowest prevalence of symptoms was found in agricultural, forestry, and sales work. Women and subjects allergic to nickel worked more often in occupations without exposure to chemicals, but no evidence was found for selection mechanisms causing sensitive persons to move from exposed to unexposed occupations. It was concluded that symptoms included in SBS are common in the general population, and of multifactorial origin related to both personal, occupational, and residential factors, and certain environmental exposures such as maternal smoking, the urban environment, VDU work, and volatile organic hydrocarbons from newly painted dwellings.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Volatile organic compounds, respirable dust, and personal factors related to prevalence and incidence of sick building syndrome in primary schools.

Possible relations between incidence and prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS), indoor exposures, and personal factors were studied in a four year longitudinal study among personnel (n = 129) in six primary schools. The mean concentration of carbon dioxide was above the recommended value of 0.08 microliter/l (800 ppm) in all schools, indicating a poor outdoor air supply. Indoor concentration of volatile hydrocarbon (VOC) was enhanced at high room temperatures. Respirable dust, but not concentration of VOC was enhanced at lower ventilation rates and high air humidity. Chronic SBS was related to VOC, previous wall to wall carpeting in the schools, hyper-reactivity, and psychosocial factors. Incidence of new SBS was related to concentration of respirable dust, current smoking, and the psychosocial climate. Remission of hyperreactivity, decrease in sick leave owing to airway illness, removal of carpeting in the schools, and moving from new to old dwellings resulted in a decrease in SBS score. It is concluded that SBS is of multifactorial origin, related to a variety of factors and exposures. The total concentration of hydrocarbons is a simple and convenient measure of exposure, which also seems to be a predictor of chronic symptoms. Further investigations on the effect of temperature, ventilation, and air humidity on SBS should consider how these factors may influence the chemical composition of the air. Because poor air quality in schools could also affect the children, it may have implications for the state of health of a large proportion of the population.

Carbon Dioxide↗
PubMed1990

Indoor air quality and personal factors related to the sick building syndrome.

The "sick building syndrome" involves symptoms such as eye, skin and upper airway irritation, headache, and fatigue. A multifactorial study was performed among personnel in consecutive cases of sick buildings to investigate relationships between such symptoms, exposure to environmental factors, and personal factors. The total indoor hydrocarbon concentration was significantly related to symptoms. Other indoor exposures such as room temperature, air humidity, and formaldehyde or carbon dioxide concentration did not correlate with the symptoms. Personal factors such as reported hyperreactivity and sick leave due to airway diseases were strongly related to the sick building syndrome. Other factors associated with the sick building syndrome were smoking, psychosocial factors, and experience of static electricity at work. Neither atopy, age, sex, nor outdoor exposures correlated significantly with the number of symptoms. It was concluded that the sick building syndrome is of multifactorial origin and related to both indoor hydrocarbon exposure and individual factors.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1989

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and exposure to vibration, repetitive wrist movements, and heavy manual work: a case-referent study.

Possible connections between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and exposure to vibrating handheld tools, repetitive wrist movements, and heavy manual work were examined in a case-referent study. The cases were 38 men operated on for CTS between 1974 and 1980. For each case, two referents were drawn from among other surgical cases (hospital referents) and two further referents from the population register and telephone directory, respectively (population referents). Thirty four of 38 cases (89%) and 143 of 152 referents (94%) were interviewed by telephone. An increased prevalence of obesity, rheumatoid disease, diabetes, or thyroid disease was observed among the cases but most did not suffer from any of these disorders. CTS was significantly correlated with exposure to vibration from handheld tools and to repetitive wrist movements but showed a weaker correlation with work producing a heavy load on the wrist. A cause-effect relation between CTS and exposures to handheld vibrating tools and to work causing repetitive movements of the wrist seems probable. Some differences between hospital and population referents indicate that a case-referent study of this type could be biased by inappropriate selection of referents.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

An epidemiologic study of the relation between symptoms of fatigue, dental amalgam and other factors.

Fatigue has been described as a symptom of mercury toxicity. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate whether fatigue is related to the number of tooth surfaces of amalgam or to other factors. The study population was a group of 108 hospital workers who completed a self administered questionnaire including questions about fatigue in a study (1983) to determine the effects of exposure to glutaraldehyde. The 39 women who gave positive answers to one or two of the questions about fatigue were assigned cases. The referents were chosen with regard to sex, age and smoking habits among those who gave negative answers to both questions. Information about the number of surfaces of amalgam was received from dentists. Analysis showed that the cases and referents were not significantly different in terms of the mean number of surfaces of amalgam. There was a significant positive relation between the number of surfaces of amalgam and age as well as smoking habits. A significant positive relation was also found between symptoms of fatigue and psychosocial factors and the frequency of sick-leave in respiratory diseases. In conclusion other factors rather than the release of mercury from dental amalgam could explain the symptoms of fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

A search for discomfort-inducing factors in carbonless copying paper.

Connections between various types of carbonless copying paper and the occurrence of work-related symptoms of the skin and mucous membranes were studied. The analysis started from the exposure factor, i.e., from the carbonless copying papers and not from the exposed persons. In total, 276 paper samples were investigated. One hundred ninety samples were carbonless copying papers for which information was obtained concerning both the handling of the papers and the symptoms occurring among those handling the papers. To distinguish between carbonless copying papers of different makes, gas chromatography of paper extracts was performed, sometimes combined with thin-layer chromatography of the color formers. By coding the paper samples, the analyses of the papers and the interviews of the exposed persons could be performed "blindly." In the carbonless copying paper most frequently associated with complaints, mono-iso-propylbiphenyl (MIPB) was used as solvent for the color formers. It is probable, however, that the symptoms connected to this paper were induced by some component of the paper other than MIPB. A covariation between papers associated with skin symptoms and mucous membrane symptoms was observed. Exposure to carbonless copying papers treated with desensitizing ink (D-ink) covariated statistically with work-related skin irritation. The causative factor was probably two specific D-inks available on the Swedish market at the period of the investigation.

Biphenyl Compounds↗
PubMed1988

Skin and respiratory symptoms from exposure to alkaline glutaraldehyde in medical services.

The prevalence of certain symptoms (eye, skin and airway symptoms, headache, nausea, and fatigue) were studied among hospital workers with and without exposure to glutaraldehyde during cold sterilization work. The exposure to glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde was quantified by hygienic measurements in the breathing zone of the workers. Aldehydes were measured by a specific method, using sorbent tubes with Amberlite XAD-2 coated with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNF) and analyzed by liquid chromatography. The exposure measurements revealed that the present exposure to glutaraldehyde was intermittent and well below the Swedish occupational exposure limit. In spite of this low exposure, the exposed group exhibited a significantly increased frequency of skin and airway symptoms, as well as headache, in comparison with the unexposed group. A dose-response relationship between the frequency of exposure and the number of symptoms could also be demonstrated. No case of contact allergy to glutaraldehyde was found.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Hydrocarbon exposure from handling jet fuel at some Swedish aircraft units.

The exposure to vapors from jet fuel under different work conditions was examined in three aircraft squadrons. Exposure measurements were made by charcoal sampling in the breathing zones of 23 randomly selected employees belonging to three different personnel groups. Each person was followed during two consecutive days by long-time sampling and, furthermore, by 15-minute sampling during work operations with possible high exposure. The charcoal tubes were eluted with carbon disulfide, and the hydrocarbons were analyzed with gas chromatography. The geometric mean of both the long- and the short-time exposure was only 1-2% of the corresponding occupational exposure limits. The highest long-time exposure observed was about 25% of the occupational exposure limit, while the highest short-time exposure was about 130% of the corresponding limit. Thus the present long-term exposure to solvent vapor in Swedish aircraft units is low, but infrequent short-time exposure above the present limit may occur in some work operations.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1985

Emission of ink aerosol from ink-jet recorders.

As a follow-up of two patients found to be allergic to EKG*ink, a study was made, using spectrophotometric and light microscopic methods, of the factors influencing the emission of ink aerosol from ink-jet recorders used in electrocardiographs. Ink aerosol concentrations were only detectable by spectrophotometry under extreme conditions. However, the light microscopic method was sufficiently sensitive. At the slow paper speeds normally used (10-25 mm/sec) and under normal working conditions, the concentration of ink aerosol near the recorder was less than 0.1 microgram/m3; but aerosol emission increased exponentially with increasing ink pressure, i.e. increasing paper speed. At the highest paper speed studied (200 mm/sec), the aerosol concentration 36 cm from the ink nozzles was about 65 micrograms/m3. An increase in the distance from the ink nozzles to the chart paper resulted in a decrease in ink aerosol emissions. Aerosol dissipation was decreased by local exhaust ventilation of the ink-jet recorder. However, a protective shield designed to catch emitted ink aerosol only reduced the aerosol concentration at the measuring point at slow paper speeds. At higher paper speeds, the concentration increased. The average ink aerosol concentration near modern electrocardiographs is low, but some EKG operations may result in high peak concentrations. The formation of ink aerosol could be considerably reduced by changing the rheologic properties of the ink.

Aerosols↗
PubMedDate not supplied

New ventilation systems at select schools in Sweden--effects on asthma and exposure.

The air-exchange rate is often low in schools. The authors studied the possible impact of improving school ventilation on health and exposure of pupils. Questionnaire data on allergies, asthma, and asthmatic symptoms were obtained in 1993 and 1995 for 1,476 primary- and secondary-school pupils in 39 randomly selected schools. Various exposure factors were measured in 1993 and 1995 in approximately 100 classrooms. In 12% of the classrooms, new ventilation systems were installed between 1993 and 1995; the subsequent air-exchange rate increased and the relative humidity and concentration of several airborne pollutants were reduced compared with classrooms in nonimproved buildings. The reporting of at least one asthmatic symptom and the reporting of more asthmatic symptoms in 1995 than in 1993 were less common among the 143 pupils who attended schools with new ventilation systems.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Nasal lavage biomarkers: effects of water damage and microbial growth in an office building.

Selected nasal symptoms were studied in personnel who worked in a damp office building that had microbial growth (including Stachybotrys sp.) in mineral fiber insulation and gypsum board. There were also signs of dampness in the floor. Clinical examinations included nasal lavage and peak expiratory flow measurements in 12 subjects in the damp building; an additional 8 subjects in a control building (i.e., no signs of dampness or microbial growth) were also examined. Hygienic air measurements of microorganisms and volatile organic compounds were performed in both buildings. The concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein, myeloperoxidase, and albumin, and the number of subjects with eosinophils in lavage fluid, were higher among office workers in the damp building than among controls. The damp biiilding had greater amounts of total molds and bacteria in its construction than the building materials in nondamp buildings. In addition, an increase of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in the indoor air was detected in the damp building-a sign of dampness-related alkaline degradation of diethyl-hexyl phthalate in polyvinyl chloride floor coatings. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that exposures in a damp office building may cause an inflammatory nasal mucosal response. The results also support conclusions of earlier studies, indicating that building dampness is related to respiratory inflammation.

Adult↗