title: Markers of upper airway inflammation associated with microbial exposure and symptoms in occupants of a water-damaged building.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Water damage in buildings has been associated with reports of upper airway inflammation among occupants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This survey included a questionnaire, allergen skin testing, nasal nitric oxide, and nasal lavage on 153 participants. We conducted exposure assessments of 297 workstations and analyzed collected dust for fungi, endotoxin, and (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan to create floor-specific averages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males had higher levels of nasal inflammatory markers, and females reported more symptoms. ECP, IL-8, and MPO were significantly associated with nasal symptoms, flu-like achiness, or chills. Fungi and glucan were positively associated with blowing out thick mucus. Endotoxin was significantly associated with ECP in overall models, and with ECP, IL-8, MPO, and neutrophils among non-atopic females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, we documented an association between endotoxin and nasal inflammatory markers among office workers. The results of our study suggest that a non-allergic response may contribute to symptoms occurring among occupants in this water-damaged building.
authors: Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA.
authors: Muge
authors: M
authors: Akpinar-Elci
authors: Sandra K
authors: SK
authors: White
authors: Paul D
authors: PD
authors: Siegel
authors: Ju-Hyeong
authors: JH
authors: Park
authors: Alexis
authors: A
authors: Visotcky
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Kreiss
authors: Jean M
authors: JM
authors: Cox-Ganser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000382:microbiology; D004731:Endotoxins; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055556:Nasal Lavage; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D014867:Water / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D014867:Water; D009569:Nitric Oxide