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PubMedDate not supplied

Sick building syndrome.

Dr. Hodgson summarizes what is known about human symptoms and discomfort in the built environment, and formulates several critical hypotheses that show striking parallels to the questions arising from discussions of the IEI/MCS syndrome.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1999

Continually measured fungal profiles in sick building syndrome.

Buildings with indoor air quality (IAQ) complaints frequently have high airborne concentrations of Penicillium species, while buildings with few IAQ complaints have an indoor air (IDA) fungal ecology similar to outdoor air (ODA), where Cladosporium species is usually the dominant microorganism. These studies compared fungal air profiles, measured continually over 6 h in a documented sick building, in IDA in a room experiencing IAQ problems with fungal profiles measured concurrently in ODA. The dominant species collected at both sites were Penicillium species, Cladosporium species, and Alternaria species. In the IDA, Penicillium species were always the dominant organisms, ranging from 150 to 567 cfu/m3 (89.8-100% of the total fungi). In the ODA, Cladosporium species were dominant in four samples (40.0-70.6%), while Penicillium species were dominant (52.7-79.6%) in two. These data demonstrate that, even though ODA fungal profiles are changing continuously, IDA fungal profiles in "sick" buildings tend to remain unchanged.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sick building syndrome in like symptoms in emergency prefabricated accommodation.

The present study investigated the sources of discomfort and the symptoms reported by earthquake victims residing in temporary emergency prefabricated accommodation (prefab). The investigation was carried out by means of a questionnaire. 203 prefab occupants and 13 inhabitants of houses, who were chosen as reference population, replied in winter and 233 prefab occupants and 154 inhabitants of houses replied in summer. In both seasons more people living in prefabs indentified dry air, stuffy air, stale air, dust, dampness, uncomfortable temperature and bad odours as sources of discomfort. They also complained of general symptoms (headache, irritablility, insomnia, difficulty in concentration) and irritative symptoms of the eyes, upper and lower airways and skin. Multiple regression analysis identified the type of accommodation as the variable that most influenced the onset of general, ocular, upper and lower airway symptoms. Intrinsic characteristics of the prefabs (being constructed with synthetic materials, combustion sources, poor ventilation and insulation) and psychosocial factors e. losing their home, could have contributed to the onset of symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The sick building syndrome as a subjective perception-theoretical approach and assessment methods.

The SBS is characterised by irritations of mucosa, vegetative complaints such as headache and fatigue as well as mental health impairment, depression and irritability (WHO definition). Since well-being is a subjective perception, the individual self report is mandatory. In the ProKlimA project a modular questionnaire was developed in which SBS symptoms, general aspects of well-being and function as well as psychosocial characteristics were included in a modular fashion. Assessment included sensory irritation (SI list), psychosocial characteristics (POMS) and bodily complaints, assessed with a standard German complaint list (BL). In addition the individual indoor-air perception, stress reactions, the perceived work-environment, health locus of control, life satisfaction and work related use were assessed. Analysis of the questionnaire filled out by 4596 employees at the first measure point showed a high consistency of responses. Psychometric testing showed a high reliability and acceptable validity of the questionnaire. The results suggests that well-being within the SBS complex can be assessed in a methodological way and that the developed questionnaire can be used to assess SBS symptomatology as well as psychosocial determinants also in further SBS studies.

Germany↗
PubMed1997

[Sick building syndrome and HVAC system: MVOC from air filters].

Growth and emissions of volatile metabolites of microorganisms on air filters are suspected to contribute to health complaints in ventilated rooms. To prove the microbiological production of volatile organic compounds (MVOC), concentrations of aldehydes and ketones were determined in two large HVAC systems. The in situ derivated aldehydes and ketones (as 2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazones) were analysed by HPLC and UV detection. The detection limit of each compound was 1 ppb (margin of error < 10%). Field measurements were carried out before and after the prefilters and the main filters, respectively, to investigate whether aldehydes and ketones increase in concentration after filters of HVAC systems. First results show that the compounds formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone could be detected before and after the filters. The concentrations of these VOC after the filters were significantly increased--as a mean over twenty measurements--, especially as far as filters made of glass fibre are concerned. However the found concentrations were low and mostly comparable to outdoor findings. In simultaneous laboratory experiments pieces of used filter material of one HVAC system and unused filter pieces (for blank values) were examined in small incubation chambers to investigate the possible production of MVOC. For the incubation a temperature of 20 degrees C and a relative humidity of 95% was chosen. In these experiments an almost identical spectrum of compounds (formaldehyde and acetone) was found as in the field measurements. The concentrations of these compounds were higher in the chambers with the used filter pieces. The concentration of acetone ranged up to almost 12 mg/m3.--As our field experiments correspond with our laboratory experiments, we assume that the microbial production of volatile organic compounds in HVAC systems under operating conditions is possible.

Air Microbiology↗
PubMed2002

Studies of sick building syndrome. IV. Mycotoxicosis.

There has been increasing public attention to the potential health risks of mold exposure, particularly in wet buildings. A variety of molds has been isolated from both damaged homes and businesses, including agents that secrete toxigenic materials. One area that is attracting particular notice is the relative toxigenic potential of mycotoxins. Although exposure to molds can produce significant mucosal irritation, there are very few data to suggest long-term ill effects. More importantly, there is no evidence in humans that mold exposure leads to nonmucosal pathology. In fact, many of the data on toxigenic molds are derived from animal toxicity studies, and these are based primarily, on ingestion. Although every attempt should be made to improve the quality of indoor air, including avoidance of molds, the human illnesses attributed to fungal exposure are, with the exception of invasive infections and mold allergy, relatively rare. In this review we discuss selected aspects of the microbiology of mycotoxin-producing molds and their potential role in human immunopathology with respect to wet building environments.

Allergens↗