Health effects associated with exposure to residential organic dust.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed at relating self-reported health complaints to bioaerosol pollution in the residential outdoor air and to duration of storing organic waste indoors.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, double blinded to ongoing environmental microbial measurements, physicians collected questionnaires in a neighborhood with a composting site and in unexposed controls. Self-reported prevalence of health complaints, physician diagnoses as well as residential odor annoyance and home hygiene were assessed.


RESULTS
An elevation of reports of irritative airway complaints was associated with residency in an area with highest bioaerosol exposure but not with odor annoyance. Longer indoor storage of organic waste was associated with skin related symptoms. Atopic subjects were at higher risk. Airway-related health problems were not associated with longer storage of organic wastes in homes.


CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to organic dust in residential air affects airways of residents while exposure in homes due to organic wastes affects the skin.
Herr
Caroline E W
CE
Institute of Hygiene and Environmental Medicine, Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Germany. caroline.herr@hygiene.med.uni-giessen.de
Nieden Az
Anja zur
Az
Stilianakis
Nikolaos I
NI
Eikmann
Thomas F
TF
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000032:analysis; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D005076:Exanthema / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004391:Dust; D004731:Endotoxins