Eczema increases susceptibility to PM10 in office indoor environments.
The objective was to compare impact of indoor office environment on employees with eczema with those without eczema. Exposure was measured at 56 sites and modelled for 173 work places. Tear film stability, lysozyme in nasal lavage, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and Phadiatop were assessed, and symptoms and perceptions collected by questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses were applied, adjusted for age, gender, strain, current smoking, and respiratory infections. Those with eczema perceived temperature too high but not associated with measured temperature. They had increased lysozyme in nasal lavage associated with increased air temperature difference between 6 and 10 AM, more general and mucosal symptoms, and "dry or flushed facial skin" associated with airborne particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM(10)). Impact of PM(10) was most pronounced among those with eczema previous 30 days. Having eczema might be an important predictor for subjective and objective responses to indoor environment.
Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Jan.Bakke@arbeidstilsynet.no
Jan Vilhelm
JV
Bakke
Gunilla
G
Wieslander
Dan
D
Norback
Bente E
BE
Moen
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005483:Flushing / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D017817:Nasal Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013666:Tears; D014495:Universities; D017132:Workplace
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D052638:Particulate Matter; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D009113:Muramidase