| Document ID (ISN) | 56630 |
| CIS number |
91-1721 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0003-9896 - Archives of Environmental Health |
| Year |
1990 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Lundholm M., Lavrell G., Mathiasson L. |
| Title |
Self-levelling mortar as a possible cause of symptoms associated with "Sick Building Syndrome" |
| Bibliographic information |
May-June, Vol.45, No.3, p.135-140. 27 ref. |
| Abstract |
In newly constructed houses and buildings in which self-levelling mortar containing casein has been used, residents and office employees often complain of bad odours as well as of headaches, eye and throat irritation, and tiredness. These problems have been suspected to result from the degradation products of mortar. Samples obtained from dry mortar powder and from mortar in buildings where casein has been used and from other buildings used as controls were found to contain microorganisms (mean of 100 culture-forming units/g). Environmental species were predominantly found, e.g. Bacillus, Clostridium, Micrococcus, and Propionibacterium. Fungi were found occasionally; no evidence of bacterial degradation was found. Headspace and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of air from the newly constructed houses and from hydroxide-degraded casein revealed the presence of amines in the 0.003-0.013ppm range and the presence of ammonia and sulfhydryl compounds, all of which in low concentrations can cause the symptoms observed. These substances were not detected in the control buildings. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
microorganisms; bacteria; sick building syndrome; buildings; mortar; casein |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
migraine; eye irritation |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Sweden |
| Subject(s) |
Environmental pollution
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Biological hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Sick building syndrome
Cement and concrete
|
