Indoor environmental quality in homes of asthmatic children on the Elsipogtog Reserve (NB), Canada.
OBJECTIVE
To inspect houses and analyze settled dust from 26 homes with asthmatic children in the Elsipogtog Reserve, New Brunswick, for contaminants known to be associated with respiratory symptoms. This pilot observational study was conducted in order to enable larger research into housing and health in Aboriginal communities.


METHODS
Twenty-six homes were subject to an informed inspection and settled dust collection from the child's bedroom. The fine dust (< 300 microm) was analyzed for endotoxin, house dust mite and fungal glucan concentrations, as well as for building-associated fungi.


RESULTS
The percentage of homes in this study that had mould damage was slightly higher than in much larger studies in other parts of Canada. Qualitatively, the causes of the water and mould damage were similar to those found in a larger study in nearby PEI. However, in a few cases, the type of damage found in Elsipogtog was at a more advanced stage. House dust mite allergens, endotoxin and fungal glucan concentrations in settled dust included values that have been associated with increased respiratory symptoms. This selection of houses was, on average, cleaner than many homes studied in Canada. CONCLUSION. Although the range of mould damage observed in this study was similar to that seen elsewhere in Canada, the underlying causes tended to reflect more serious maintenance problems. A systematic evaluation of mould damage, on a community-wide basis, is a useful process to set priorities for repair.
Berghout
Joanne
J
Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Chemistry, Carleton University,Ottawa, Ontario.
Miller
J David
JD
Mazerolle
Roger
R
O'Neill
Len
L
Wakelin
Craig
C
Mackinnon
Barbara
B
Maybee
Kenneth
K
Augustine
Darlene
D
Levi
Carol Ann
CA
Levi
Charlie
C
Levi
Terry
T
Milliea
Barbara
B
D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008925:Mites; D009509:New Brunswick / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000032:analysis
D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust; D047071:beta-Glucans