Indoor pollution and sick building syndrome symptoms among workers in day-care centers.
In this study, we investigated indoor air quality and symptoms of respiratory illness in 264 nursing workers at 28 day-care centers in Taipei. Geometric mean concentrations of indoor and outdoor bacteria were 735 colony-forming units in air (CFU/m3) and 384 CFU/m3, respectively. In addition, geometric mean concentrations of indoor and outdoor fungi were 1,212 CFU/m3 and 1,032 CFU/m3, respectively. Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and Penicillium-microfungi that occurred most commonly-were found indoors and outdoors. Geometric mean concentrations of house dust mite allergens, Der p I and Der p V, were 58 ng/g dust and 14 ng/g dust, respectively. In addition, the observed high prevalence of dampness or mold problems in the day-care centers indicated that dampness was very common in this subtropical region. We found a significant relationship between dampness and work-related sick building syndrome in the day-care-center workers. Furthermore, concentrations of fungi were lower in the day-care centers equipped with air conditioners/air cleaners than in centers that lacked such equipment. Also, Aspergillus was associated strongly with work-related sick building syndrome in the day-care-center workers.
Li
C S
CS
Graduate Institute of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Republic of China.
Hsu
C W
CW
Tai
M L
ML
D000391:Air Microbiology; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004391:Dust; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors
D004391:Dust