| 1. |
- Gunnbjörnsdottir, Maria I, et al.
(författare)
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Indoor environment in three North European cities in relationship to atopy and respiratory symptoms
- 2009
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Ingår i: Clinical Respiratory Journal. - 1752-6981. ; 3:2, s. 85-94
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) I, the lowest prevalence of asthma and atopy was found in Reykjavik (Iceland) and Tartu (Estonia). The aim of this study was to compare home environments in Reykjavik and Tartu to a town with a higher prevalence of asthma and atopy (Uppsala, Sweden) in an attempt to identify factors in the indoor environment that could explain these differences. A random sample of 129 ECRHS II participants was included in this analysis at each of the three study centres. The subjects answered a questionnaire, blood was analysed for specific immunoglobulin E, a methacholine test was performed and home indoor measurements were taken. The prevalence of atopy was 11.9% in Reykjavik, 35.5% in Uppsala and 28.2% in Tartu (P < 0.04). The level of indoor cat allergen was significantly lower in Reykjavik compared with Uppsala (P = 0.05). No mite allergens were identified in the 41 homes investigated in Reykjavik, while this was the case in 16% and 72% of the households in Uppsala and Tartu, respectively (P = 0.001). A positive association was found between asthma symptoms and cat allergen levels [odds ratio 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.04-2.24)], while the levels of viable moulds were significantly associated with increased bronchial responsiveness. Indoor exposure to allergens, moulds and bacteria was lower in Reykjavik than in the Swedish and Estonian centres. This finding indicates that the lower prevalence of allergic sensitization in Reykjavik may partly be related to lower indoor allergen exposure. Please cite this paper as: Gunnbjornsdottir MI, NorbAck D, Bjornsson E, Soon A, Jarvis D, Jogi R, Gislason D, Gislason T and Janson C. Indoor environment in three North European cities in relationship to atopy and respiratory symptoms. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 85-94.
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| 2. |
- Dratva, Julia, et al.
(författare)
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Early Life Origins of Lung Ageing : Early Life Exposures and Lung Function Decline in Adulthood in Two European Cohorts Aged 28-73 Years
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Early life environment is essential for lung growth and maximally attained lung function. Whether early life exposures impact on lung function decline in adulthood, an indicator of lung ageing, has scarcely been studied. Methods Spirometry data from two time points (follow-up time 9-11 years) and information on early life exposures, health and life-style were available from 12862 persons aged 28-73 years participating in the European population-based cohorts SAPALDIA (n = 5705) and ECRHS (n = 7157). The associations of early life exposures with lung function (FEV1) decline were analysed using mixed-effects linear regression. Results Early life exposures were significantly associated with FEV1 decline, with estimates almost as large as personal smoking. FEV1 declined more rapidly among subjects born during the winter season (adjusted difference in FEV1/year of follow-up [95% CI] -2.04ml [-3.29;-0.80]), of older mothers, (-1.82 ml [-3.14;-0.49]) of smoking mothers (-1.82ml [-3.30;-0.34] or with younger siblings (-2.61ml [-3.85;-1.38]). Less rapid FEV1-decline was found in subjects who had attended daycare (3.98ml [2.78; 5.18]), and indicated in subjects with pets in childhood (0.97ml [-0.16; 2.09]). High maternal age and maternal smoking appeared to potentiate effects of personal smoking. The effects were independent of asthma at any age. Conclusion Early life factors predicted lung function decline decades later, suggesting that some mechanisms related lung ageing may be established early in life. Early life programming of susceptibility to adult insults could be a possible pathway that should be explored further.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Pan, Holly, et al.
(författare)
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Gas cooking indoors and respiratory symptoms in the ECRHS cohort
- 2024
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 256
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Gas cooking is an important source of indoor air pollutants, and there is some limited evidence that it might adversely be associated with respiratory health. Using repeated cross-sectional data from the multicentre international European Community Respiratory Health Survey, we assessed whether adults using gas cookers have increased risk of respiratory symptoms compared to those using electric cookers and tested whether there was effect modification by a priori selected factors. Methods: Data on respiratory symptoms and gas cooking were collected from participants at 26-55 and 38-67 years (median time between examinations 11.4 years) from interviewer-led questionnaires. Repeated associations between gas cooking (versus electric) and respiratory symptoms were estimated using multivariable mixed -effects logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, study arm, smoking status, education level, and included random intercepts for participants within study centres. Analyses were repeated using a 3 -level variable for type of cooker and gas source. Effect modification by ventilation habits, cooking duration, sex, age atopy, asthma, and study arm were examined. Results: The sample included 4337 adults (43.7% males) from 19 centres in 9 countries. Gas cooking increased the risk of "shortness of breath whilst at rest" (OR = 1.38; 95%CI: 1.06-1.79) and "wheeze with breathlessness" (1.32; 1.00-1.74). For several other symptoms, effect estimates were larger in those who used both gas hobs and ovens, had a bottled gas source and cooked for over 60 min per day. Stratifying results by sex and age found stronger associations in females and younger adults. Conclusion: This multi -centre international study, using repeat data, suggested using gas cookers in the home was more strongly associated than electric cookers with certain respiratory symptoms in adults. As gas cooking is common, these results may play an important role in population respiratory health.
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| 5. |
- Sahlberg, Bo, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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Airborne moulds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS)
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are few studies on associations between airborne microbial exposure, formaldehyde and plasticizers in dwellings and symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS). Within the follow-up of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II), indoor measurements were performed in homes in three north European cities. The aim was to examine if volatile organic compound of possible microbial origin (MVOC), and airborne levels of bacteria, moulds, formaldehyde and two plasticizers in dwellings were associated with the prevalence of SBS, and to study associations between MVOC and reports on dampness and mould. The study included homes from three centres from ECRHS II. In total, 159 adults (57% females) participated (19% from Reykjavik, 40% from Uppsala and 41% from Tartu). A random sample and additional homes with a history of dampness were included. Exposure measurements were performed in the 159 homes. MVOC was analysed by GCMS with selective ion monitoring (SIM). Symptoms were reported in a standardized questionnaire. Associations were analysed by multiple logistic regression. Totally 30.8% reported any SBS (20% mucosal,10% general and 8% dermal symptoms) and 41% of the homes had a history of dampness and moulds There were positive associations between any SBS and levels of 2-pentanol (p=0.002), 2-hexanon (P=0.0002), 2-pentylfuran (P=0.009), 1-octen-3ol (P=0.002), formaldehyde (P=0.05), and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (Texanol) (P=0.05). 1-octen-3ol was associated with mucosal symptoms. In dwelling with dampness and moulds, the levels of total bacteria (P=0.02), total mould (p=0.04), viable mould (p=0, 02), 2-methylfuran (p=0.008) and etyl-iso-butyrate (p=0.02) were higher. In conclusion, some MVOC such as 1-octen-3-ol, formaldehyde and the plasticizer Texanol may be a risk factor for sick building syndrome. Moreover concentration of airborne moulds, bacteria and some other MVOC were slightly higher in homes with reported dampness and mould.
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| 6. |
- Sahlberg, Bo, 1963-, et al.
(författare)
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Onset of mucosal, dermal, and general symptoms in relation to biomarkers and exposures in the dwelling : a cohort study from 1992 to 2002
- 2012
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Ingår i: Indoor Air. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0905-6947 .- 1600-0668. ; 22:4, s. 331-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examined the associations between biomarkers of allergy and inflammation, indoor environment in dwellings, and incidence and remission of symptoms included in the sick building syndrome (SBS) and changes in the home environment of 452 adults who were followed from 1992 to 2002 within the Uppsala part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The 10-year incidence (onset) of general, mucosal, and dermal symptoms was 8.5%, 12.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. Dampness or indoor molds at baseline was a predictor of incidence of general (relative risk [RR] = 1.98), mucosal (RR = 2.28), and dermal symptoms (RR = 1.91). Women had higher incidence of general (RR = 1.74) and mucosal symptoms (RR = 1.71). Indoor painting increased the incidence of general symptoms (RR = 1.62). Bronchial responsiveness (BR), eosinophil counts in blood, total IgE and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in serum at baseline were predictors of incidence of SBS. At follow-up, BR, total IgE, and C-reactive protein (CRP ) were associated with increased incidence of SBS. Moreover, subjects with doctor-diagnosed asthma at baseline had a higher incidence of general (RR = 1.65) and mucosal symptoms (RR = 1.97). In conclusion, female gender, dampness or indoor molds, indoor painting, and biomarkers of allergy and inflammation were associated with a higher incidence of SBS symptoms, in particular mucosal symptoms.
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| 7. |
- Storaas, Torgeir, et al.
(författare)
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Incidence of rhinitis and asthma related to welding in Northern Europe
- 2015
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Ingår i: European Respiratory Journal. - : The European Respiratory Society. - 0903-1936 .- 1399-3003. ; 46:5, s. 1290-1297
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Welding-related asthma is well recognised but less is known about rhinitis in relation to welding. The aim here, was to study associations between welding, rhinitis and asthma in a general population sample, and factors influencing selection into and out of a welding occupation.Adult-onset asthma and non-infectious rhinitis were investigated in the international multicentre population-based Respiratory Health in Northern Europe (RHINE) study, including 16 191 responders aged 26-54 years. Ever welding (n=2181), welding >25% of working time (n=747), and welding in stainless steel >6 months (n=173) were assessed by questionnaire. Subjects with rhinitis or asthma onset when aged <18 years were excluded. Incidence rates for asthma and rhinitis were calculated from year of disease onset, and start and end of welding job. Cox's proportional hazard models adjusting for age, sex, parental education and study centre, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used.Rhinitis incidence was higher among welders (hazard ratio (HR) 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6), consistent in men and women, and across centres (pheterogeneity=0.4). In men, asthma incidence was higher among welders (HR 1.4, 95% CI 1.04-1.97). Quitting welding was indicated higher after adult-onset rhinitis (HR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0-1.3).Adult-onset rhinitis and asthma was higher among welders, consistent across population samples from Northern Europe. No pre-employment selection was found, whereas selection out of welding jobs was suggested.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Wang, Juan, et al.
(författare)
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Mold, bacteria, allergens, and volatile organic compounds in homes associated with tear film break-up time, oculo-nasal symptoms, and allergic rhinitis
- 2024
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Ingår i: Building and Environment. - : Elsevier. - 0360-1323 .- 1873-684X. ; 264
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Indoor bacteria, mold, allergens, and selected volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured at home in three Nordic cities. Data on self-reported tear film break-up time (SBUT), weekly oculo-nasal symptoms during the past three months, and allergic rhinitis of 159 adults were obtained. Among them, 58 % were females, 24.5 % were atopics, and 41 % reported home dampness. The median SBUT was 22.3 s. Oculo-nasal symptoms (15.3 %) and allergic rhinitis (32.7 %) were common. A higher level of 2-hexanone was linked to lower SBUT (p = 0.036). Higher levels of total mold (p = 0.038), allergen Fel d 1 from cat (p = 0.045), and allergen Der p 1 (p = 0.012) and Der f 1 (p = 0.036) from house dust mite (HDM), were related to more oculo-nasal symptoms. Higher levels of 3-methylfuran (p = 0.003), 2-hexanone (p = 0.037), 2-heptanone (p = 0.018), and 1-octen-3-ol (p = 0.001) were linked to oculo-nasal symptoms. Higher levels of viable bacteria (p = 0.015), 3-octanone (p = 0.049) and formaldehyde (p = 0.039) were linked to allergic rhinitis. The association between 2-heptanone and oculo-nasal symptoms (interaction p = 0.012), and between isobutyl acetate and allergic rhinitis (interaction p = 0.084) were more pronounced in women. The negative association between 2-hexanone and SBUT was stronger among atopics (interaction p = 0.098), and the links between viable bacteria and allergic rhinitis (interaction p = 0.003) and between Der f 1 and oculo-nasal symptoms (interaction p = 0.1) were more pronounced among non-atopics.In conclusion, airborne mold and bacteria, and allergens in dust were associated with oculo-nasal symptoms or allergic rhinitis. 3-Methylfuran, 2-hexanone, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2-heptanone were associated with adult oculo-nasal symptoms. Increased 3-octanone and formaldehyde were related to allergic rhinitis.
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