Relationships between indoor environments and nasal inflammation in nursing personnel.
In this study, the authors sought to address the relationships between measured indoor environmental factors and nasal patency (i.e., minimum cross-sectional area) and volume and markers of nasal inflammation in nasal lavage fluid. Clinical data were obtained for 115 females who worked at 36 geriatric nursing departments. The indoor climates in the nursing departments were characterized by high room temperatures (median = 23 degrees C), low relative air humidities (median = 24%), and high air exchange rates indicated by low carbon dioxide levels (median = 570 ppm). Evidence of microbial amplification was observed in the ventilation unit in 3 of the departments. Decreased nasal patency was observed relative to microbial amplification in the ventilation units (minimum cross-sectional area 1 = 0.80 cm2 vs. 0.64 cm2, p = .003, minimum cross-sectional area 2 = 0.80 cm2 vs. 0.67 cm2, p = .02) and in relation to elevated indoor temperature (volume 1 = 3.46 cm3 vs. 3.22 cm3, p = .03). The authors concluded that the indoor environment may have affected the nasal mucosa of nursing personnel, thus causing nasal mucosal swelling. The results support the view that fungal contamination of air-supply ducts may be a source of microbial pollution, which can affect the nasal mucosa.
Department of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, University Hospital in Trondheim, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
Hans Thore
HT
Smedbold
Catrine
C
Ahlen
Sintef
S
Unimed
Asbjørn M
AM
Nilsen
Dan
D
Norbäck
Bjørn
B
Hilt
D000328:Adult; D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards; D000391:Air Microbiology; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D009664:Norway; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013696:Temperature; D014691:Ventilation / Q000592:standards
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational