| 1. |
- Baloch, Ramen Munir, et al.
(författare)
-
Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health : Data from the European SINPHONIE study
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : ELSEVIER. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 739
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries were collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on the environmental stressors assessed in classroom while adjusting for several confounding factors; a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration > median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the mul tiexposu re - outcome association. Schoolchildren while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye and skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with various health problems in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 2. |
- Fu, Xi, et al.
(författare)
-
Association between indoor microbiome exposure and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 753
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a collection of nonspecific syndromes linked with the built environment. The occurrence of SBS is associated with humidity, ventilation, moulds and microbial compounds exposure. However, no study has reported the association between indoor microbiome and SBS. In this study, 308 students were surveyed for SBS symptoms from 21 classrooms of 7 junior high schools from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and vacuum dust from floor, desks and chairs was collected. High throughput amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA gene and ITS region) and quantitative PCR were conducted to characterize the absolute concentration of bacteria and fungi taxa. In total, 326 bacterial and 255 fungal genera were detected in dust with large compositional variation among classrooms. Also, half of these samples showed low compositional similarity to microbiome data deposited in the public database. The number of observed OTUs in Gammaproteobacteria was positively associated with SBS (p = 0.004). Eight microbial genera were associated with SBS (p < 0.01). Bacterial genera, Rhodomicrobium, Scytonema and Microcoleus, were protectively (negatively) associated with ocular and throat symptoms and tiredness, and Izhakiella and an unclassified genus from Euzebyaceae were positively associated with the throat and ocular symptoms. Three fungal genera, Polychaeton, Gympopus and an unclassified genus from Microbotryaceae, were mainly positively associated with tiredness. The associations differed with our previous study in microbial compounds (endotoxin and ergosterol) and SBS in the same population, in which nasal and dermal symptoms were affected. A higher indoor relative humidity and visible dampness or mould in classrooms were associated with a higher concentration of potential risk bacteria and a lower concentration of potential protective bacteria (p < 0.01). This is the first study to characterize the SBS-associated microorganisms in the indoor environment, revealing complex interactions between microbiome, SBS symptoms and environmental characteristics.
|
|
| 3. |
- Fu, Xi, et al.
(författare)
-
Classroom microbiome, functional pathways and sick-building syndrome (SBS) in urban and rural schools-Potential roles of indoor microbial amino acids and vitamin metabolites
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 795
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sick building symptoms (SBS) are defined as non-specific symptoms related to indoor exposures, including mucosal symptoms in eye, nose, throat, and skin, and general symptoms as headache and tiredness. Indoor microbial composition is associated with SBS symptoms, but the impact of microbial functional genes and potential metabolic products has not been characterized. We conducted a shotgun microbial metagenomic sequencing for vacuum dust collected in urban and rural schools in Shanxi province, China. SBS symptoms in students were surveyed, and microbial taxa and functional pathways related to the symptoms were identified using a multilevel linear regression model. SBS symptoms were common in students, and the prevalence of ocular and throat symptoms, headache, and tiredness was higher in urban than in rural areas (p < 0.05). A significant higher microbial alpha-diversity was found in rural areas than in urban areas (Chao1, p = 0.001; ACE, p = 0.002). Also, significant variation in microbial taxonomic and functional composition (beta-diversity) was observed between urban and rural areas (p < 0.005). Five potential risk Actinobacteria species were associated with SBS symptoms (p < 0.01); students in the classrooms with a higher abundance of an unclassified Geodermatophilaceae, Geodermatophilus, Fridmanniella luteola, Microlunatus phosphovorus and Mycetocola reported more nasal and throat symptoms and tiredness. Students with a higher abundance of an unclassified flavobacteriaceae reported fewer throat symptoms and tiredness. The abundance of microbial metabolic pathways related to the synthesis of B vitamins (biotin and folate), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and peptidoglycan and were protectively (negatively) associated with SBS symptoms (FDR < 0.05). The result is consistent with human microbiota studies, which reported that these microbial products are extensively involved in immunological processes and anti-inflammatory effects. This is the first study to report the functional potential of the indoor microbiome and the occurrence of SBS, providing new insights into the potential etiologic mechanisms in chronic inflammatory diseases.
|
|
| 4. |
- Isa, Khairul Nizam Mohd, et al.
(författare)
-
Fungi composition in settled dust associated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide in school children with asthma
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 853
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fungi exposure has been significantly linked to respiratory illness. However, numerous fungi taxa that are potentially allergenic still undocumented and leave a barrier to establishing a clear connection between exposure and health risks. This study aimed to evaluate the association of fungi composition in settled dust with fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels among school children with doctor-diagnosed asthma. A cross-sectional study was undertaken among secondary school students in eight schools in the urban area of Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. A total of 470 school children (aged 14 years old) were randomly selected and their FeNO levels were measured and allergic skin prick tests were conducted. The settled dust samples were collected and analysed by using metagenomic technique to determine the fungi composition. The general linear regression with complex sampling was employed to determine the interrelationship. In total, 2645 fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were characterised from the sequencing process which belongs to Ascomycota (60.7 %), Basidiomycota (36.4 %), Glomeromycota (2.9 %) and Chytridiomycota (0.04 %). The top five mostly abundance in all dust samples were Aspergillus clavatus (27.2 %), followed by Hyphoderma multicystidium (12.2 %), Verrucoconiothyrium prosopidis (9.4 %), Ganoderma tuberculosum (9.2 %), and Heterochaete shearii (7.2 %). The regression results indicated that A. clavatus, Brycekendrickomyces acaciae, Candida parapsilosis, Hazslinszkyomyces aloes, H. multicystidium, H. shearii, Starmerella meliponinorum, V. prosopidis were associated in increased of FeNO levels among the asthmatic group at 0.992 ppb (95 % CI = 0.34-1.68), 2.887 ppb (95 % CI = 2.09-3.76), 0.809 ppb (95 % CI = 0.14-1.49), 0.647 ppb (95 % CI = 0.36-0.94), 1.442 ppb (95 % CI = 0.29-2.61), 1.757 ppb (95 % CI = 0.59-2.87), 1.092 ppb (95 % CI = 0.43-1.75) and 1.088 ppb (95 % CI = 0.51-1.62), respectively. To our knowledge, this is a new finding. The findings pointed out that metagenomics profiling of fungi could enhance our understanding of a complex interrelation between rare and unculturable fungi with airway inflammation.
|
|
| 5. |
- Lim, Fang-Lee, et al.
(författare)
-
Sick building syndrome (SBS) among office workers in a Malaysian university - Associations with atopy, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the office environment
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 536, s. 353-361
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are few studies on sick building syndrome (SBS) including clinical measurements for atopy and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Our aim was to study associations between SBS symptoms, selected personal factors, office characteristics and indoor office exposures among office workers from a university in Malaysia. Health data were collected by a questionnaire (n = 695), skin prick test (SPT) (n = 463) and FeNO test (n = 460). Office settled dust was vacuumed and analyzed for endotoxin, (1,3)-beta-glucan and house dust mites (HDM) allergens group 1 namely Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p 1) and Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f 1). Office indoor temperature, relative air humidity (RH), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) were measured by a direct reading instrument. Associations were studied by two-levelsmultiple logistic regression with mutual adjustment and stratified analysis. The prevalence of weekly dermal, mucosal and general symptoms was 11.9%, 16.0% and 23.0% respectively. A combination of SPT positivity (allergy to HDM or cat) and high FeNO level (>= 25 ppb) was associated with dermal (p = 0.002), mucosal (p <0.001) and general symptoms (p = 0.05). Der f1 level in dust was associated with dermal (p < 0.001), mucosal (p < 0.001) and general (p = 0.02) symptoms. Among those with allergy to D. farinae, associations were found between Der f 1 levels in dust and dermal (p = 0.003), mucosal (p = 0.001) and general symptoms (p = 0.007). Office-related symptoms were associated with Der f 1 levels in dust (p = 0.02), low relative air humidity (p = 0.04) and high office temperature (p = 0.05). In conclusion, a combination of allergy to cat or HDM and high FeNO is a risk factor for SBS symptoms. Der f 1 allergen in dust can be a risk factor for SBS in the office environment, particularly among those sensitized to Der f 1 allergen.
|
|
| 6. |
- Lin, Zhijin, et al.
(författare)
-
The first 2-year home environment in relation to the new onset and remission of asthmatic and allergic symptoms in 4246 preschool children
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 553, s. 204-210
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The home environment can influence childhood allergies and respiratory health but there is little information on associations between early life exposure at home and new onset. and remission of the asthmatic or allergic symptoms in preschool children. A questionnaire survey was performed in a random cluster sample of 4246 preschool children in Urumqi, China. Information on the home environment (perceptions of odors and indicators of pollution sources) and children's health (wheeze, rhinitis and eczema) was collected for the first 2 years of life and the last year (before answering the questionnaire) from one of the parents or another guardian of the child. Associations between the home environment the first 2 years of life and new onset and remission of childhood symptoms were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Home environment factors reported for the first 2 years of life were consistently positively associated with new onset of symptoms and negatively associated with remission of symptoms. Visible mold (OR 1.46,95% Cl 1.12-1.90), moldy odor (OR 2.15, 95% Cl 1.45-3.18), air dryness (OR 1.31, 95% Cl 1.08-1.59), stuffy odor (OR 1.25, 95% Cl 1.01-1.54) and parental smoking (OR 1.36, 95% Cl 1.13-1.65) were associated with new onset of symptoms. These factors were negatively associated with the remission of symptoms. In conclusion, mold contamination at home (moldy odor/visible mold), poor indoor air quality (stuffy odor, air dryness) and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in the first 2 years of life can increase the incidence of asthmatic and allergic symptoms and decrease the remission from these symptoms in preschool children.
|
|
| 7. |
- Lu, Chan, et al.
(författare)
-
Common cold among young adults in China without a history of asthma or allergic rhinitis : associations with warmer climate zone, dampness and mould at home, and outdoor PM10 and PM2.5
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 749
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper studied associations between reported common cold and home dampness and mould, cleaning habits and ventilation, climate and outdoor air pollution in China among young adults without asthma or allergic rhinitis. Parents of children attending day care in eight Chinese cities answered a questionnaire on their health and home environment (75% response rate). We restricted the population to subject without asthma or allergic rhinitis (N = 37,275). Temperature and air pollution data was obtained from monitoring stations. Associations were estimated by multilevel logistic regression. Totally 12.5% reported common cold (≥3 colds) and 1.6% frequent common cold (≥5 colds) in the past 12 months. Female gender (OR = 1.53; 95% CI 1.37–1.71), residents in southern China (OR = 1.89; 95% CI 1.16–3.07) and living in homes with water leakage (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.16–1.50), mould odour (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.28–1.72), indoor mould (OR = 1.47; 95% CI 1.28–1.70), condensation on window panes (OR = 1.42; 95% CI 1.32–1.52) and damp bed clothing (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.11–1.28) were associated with common cold. Having many signs of dampness increased ORs. Daily cleaning (OR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.85–0.97) and mechanical ventilation in kitchen or bathroom (OR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.64–0.89) were protective. Higher mean ambient temperature (OR = 1.11 per °C; 95% CI 1.02–1.21), PM10 (OR = 1.17 per 10 μg/m3 ; 95% CI 1.14–1.21) and PM2.5 (OR = 1.28 per 10 μg/m3 ; 95% CI 1.20–1.37) were associated with common cold. The association with particulate air pollution was stronger in southern China. Similar associations were found for frequent common cold. In conclusion, indoor dampness and mould, a warmer climate and PM10 and PM2.5 can be associated with reported common cold. Further intervention and prospective studies are needed to verify causality of observed association in this cross-sectional study.
|
|
| 8. |
- Lu, Chan, et al.
(författare)
-
Onset and remission of eczema at pre-school age in relation to prenatal and postnatal air pollution and home environment across China
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 755:Part 1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigated associations between prenatal and postnatal environmental factors and onset and remission of preschool childhood eczema across China. The study population was preschoolers in randomized day care centers in seven cities (N = 39,782). Data on eczema and prenatal and postnatal indoor and outdoor environment were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire sent to parents or other guardians. Reports on eczema in the first 2 years and in the past year was used to retrospectively calculate onset and remission (changes of reported eczema). Prenatal and postnatal outdoor temperature, NO2 and PM10 were modelled from official air pollution data. Associations were estimated by two-level logistic regression. Calculated onset rate was 3.2%/y and remission rate 29.2%/y. Exposure to NO2 during pregnancy was associated with onset of eczema, similarly for all trimesters. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 were related to decreased remission. Postnatal outdoor temperature was associated with onset of eczema. Pre-natal and current redecoration or buying new furniture, and perinatal as well as current dampness and indoor mould, were associated with increased onset and decreased remission. Cockroaches in current home was another indoor risk factors. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size were all negatively associated with eczema. In conclusion, a warmer climate and prenatal NO2 can be associated with increased onset of eczema in Chinese preschoolers. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 can be associated with reduced remission. Perinatal and current dampness, indoor mould and cockroaches may increase onset and decrease remission. Exposure to chemical emissions from indoor materials after first year of life may increase onset. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size could be protective.
|
|
| 9. |
- Lu, Chan, et al.
(författare)
-
Outdoor air pollution, meteorological conditions and indoor factors in dwellings in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS) among adults in China
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 560-561, s. 186-196
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor environment is associated with the sick building syndrome (SBS), but little is known about the contribution of outdoor air pollution and meteorological conditions to SBS. We studied associations between outdoor air pollution, meteorological parameters and selected indoor exposure and building characteristics at home and weekly SBS symptoms in a standardized questionnaire study among 3485 randomly selected adults in China. Outdoor factors included particulate matters with diameter <10 mu m (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), outdoor temperature (T), relative air humidity (RH), and wind speed (WS) during last three months. Multiple logistic regression was applied calculating odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Asthma or allergic rhinitis (atopy) was associated with all types of SBS symptoms except fatigue. Indoor factors played a major role in SBS symptoms. Mold/dampness on the floor/ceiling was associated with fatigue OR = 1.60 (1.11-2.30) and headache OR = 1.80 (1.07-3.04). Moldy odor was associated with fatigue OR = 1.59 (1.07-2.37) and dermal symptoms OR = 1.91 (1.21-3.02). Window pane condensation in winter was associated with fatigue OR = 1.73 (1.30-2.31) and throat symptoms OR = 1.53 (1.01-2.31). Damp bed clothing was related with throat symptom OR = 1.62 (1.09-2.40). Home redecoration was associated with fatigue OR = 1.49 (1.07-2.06). Frequent window opening was associated with less nose symptoms OR = 0.54 (0.36-0.82) and mechanical ventilation in the bathroom reduced dermal symptoms OR = 0.66 (0.44-0.99). Females were more susceptible to redecoration and window pane condensation than men. No associations with SBS were observed for outdoor air pollutants or meteorological parameters in the final models combining indoor and outdoor factors, although SO2, T, and RH were associated with some SBS symptoms (fatigue, eyes and nose symptoms) in the separate outdoor models. In conclusion, indoor mold/dampness, air pollution from redecoration and poorer ventilation conditions in dwellings can be risk factors for SBS symptoms in an adult Chinese population, especially among females.
|
|
| 10. |
- Norbäck, Dan, et al.
(författare)
-
Endotoxin, ergosterol, muramic acid and fungal DNA in dust from schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia : Associations with rhinitis and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high school students
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 545, s. 95-103
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper studied associations between ocular symptoms, rhinitis, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue in students by ethnicity and in relation to exposure to chemical microbial markers and fungal DNA in vacuumed dust in schools in Malaysia. A total of 462 students from 8 randomly selected secondary schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, participated (96% response rate). Dust was vacuumed from 32 classrooms and analysed for levels of five types of endotoxin as 3-hydroxy fatty acids (C10, C12, C14, C16 and C18 3-OH), muramic acid, ergosterol and five sequences of fungal DNA. Multiple logistic regression was applied. Totally 11.9% reported weekly ocular symptoms, 18.8% rhinitis, 15.6% throat and 11.1% dermal symptoms, 20.6% headache and 22.1% tiredness. Totally 21.1% reported pollen or furry pet allergy (atopy) and 22.0% parental asthma or allergy. Chinese students had less headache than Malay and Indian had less rhinitis and less tiredness than Malay. Parental asthma/allergy was a risk factor for ocular (odds ratio = 3.79) and rhinitis symptoms (OR = 3.48). Atopy was a risk factor for throat symptoms (OR = 2.66), headache (OR = 2.13) and tiredness (OR = 2.02). There were positive associations between amount of fine dust in the dust samples and ocular symptoms (p < 0.001) and rhinitis (p = 0.006). There were positive associations between C14 3-OH and rhinitis (p < 0.001) and between C18 3-OH and dermal symptoms (p = 0.007). There were negative (protective) associations between levels of total endotoxin (LPS) (p = 0.004) and levels of ergosterol (p = 0.03) and rhinitis and between C12 3-OH and throat symptoms (p = 0.004). In conclusion, the amount of fine dust in the classroom was associated with rhinitis and other SBS symptoms and improved cleaning of the schools is important. Endotoxin in the school dust seems to be mainly protective for rhinitis and throat symptoms but different types of endotoxin could have different effects. The ethnic differences in symptoms among the students deserve further attention.
|
|
