Sick building syndrome - 136 entries found

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1992

CIS 92-1025 Cossette B., Smoragiewicz W., Boutard A., Bouchard G.
The detection of trichothecene mycotoxins
La détection des mycotoxines trichothécènes [in French]
In order to evaluate the degree of air contamination by fungi in office towers, the presence of mycotoxins in indoor environments was assessed, in particular that of trichothecenes, which are among the most toxic mycotoxins known (table 2). The samples analysed came from ceiling tiles, dust filters, carpets from buildings suspected to cause sick building syndrome. The fourteen fungus strains investigated produced different types of trichothecenes such as T-2 toxin, roridine, scirpentriol, etc. Rather than relying on high-performance liquid chromatography, a simpler method for the extraction of trichothecenes, combined with thin-layer chromatography, may be sufficent for the detection of trichothecenes in samples from workplaces thought to be contaminated.
Travail et santé, Spring 1992, Vol.8, No.1, p.S-2 to S-6. Illus. 20 ref.

1991

CIS 95-1131 Solé Gómez M.D., Pérez Nicolás J.
Sick building syndrome: Questionnaire for its detection
El síndrome del edificio enfermo: cuestionario para su detección [in Spanish]
This information note contains a sample questionnaire for the diagnosis of sick building syndrome, as well as a methodology for its evaluation and a survey of risk factors and symptoms. Guidance is given on how to administer the questionnaire (number of workers under survey, frequency rate of the symptoms, etc.)
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 1991. 8p. 16 ref.

CIS 95-1130 Berenguer Subils M.J.
Sick building syndrome: Risk factors
Síndrome del edificio enfermo: factores de riesgo [in Spanish]
Summary of this information note: definitions (unhealthy buildings and sick building syndrome); characteristics common to unhealthy buildings; symptoms and diagnosis (irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; dryness of the mucous membranes and the skin; respiratory difficulties; erythema; nausea; dizziness and feeling "unwell"; mental fatigue; high incidence of infections of the respiratory tract); possible risk factors (atmospheric contaminants; odours; ions; lighting; noise and vibration; thermal environment; relative humidity; ventilation; psychosocial factors); investigation of the problem (general investigation of the building and identification of the problem; study of the ventilation and micro-climate in the building; medical examination of employees); environmental sampling and analysis of atmospheric contaminants; scientific approach to the problem and present-day trends in research.
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 1991. 8p. 16 ref.

CIS 95-1128 del Carnen Martí Solé M., Obiols Quinto J.
Sick building syndrome: Related diseases and role of bioaerosols
Síndrome del edificio enfermo: enfermedades relacionadas y papel de los bioaerosoles [in Spanish]
Summary of this information note concerning the relationship between the presence of bioaerosols in the air of offices and various health problems known as "sick building syndrome": general information about bioaerosols (definition, size, composition, formation, prevention); preliminary diagnosis; manifestations of sick building syndrome (symptoms, fever, etc.); hypersensitivity (immunology, allergic alveolitis, asthma, allergic rhinitis, air-conditioner fever); infectious diseases (legionellosis, Pontiac fever); tabular presentation of the characteristics and sources of the more common bioaerosols.
Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, Ediciones y Publicaciones, c/Torrelaguna 73, 28027 Madrid, Spain, 1991. 6p. 25 ref.

CIS 94-691 Climate and air quality in the workplace
Klima og luftkvalitet p@a6 arbeidsplassen [in Norwegian]
This new, retitled, edition of the directive describes the physical factors that determine indoor air climate and air quality. Main subjects covered: impact of microclimate on health; well-being and work ability; air quality; appropriate selection of construction materials; ventilation, energy-saving measures and ambient temperature. Guidelines on how to design indoor air climate in the construction process are given. A brief survey of relevant Norwegian legislation is provided. The previous edition of this directive was Climate and ventilation of indoor workplaces (CIS 90-1429).
Direktoratet for Arbeidstilsynet, Fr. Nansens vei 14, Postboks 8103 Dep., 0032 Oslo 1, Norway, 1991. 46p. Illus. 22 ref. Index.

CIS 93-784 Office chemicals ; Air quality ; Light ; Noise and acoustics ; Prevent office injuries ; Stress in the office ; Video display terminals
This set of seven pamphlets discuss topics related to office safety and health: noise, office injuries, video display terminals, lighting, chemicals, air quality, stress. An evaluation form is included.
Canada Safety Council, 6-2750 Stevenage Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1G 3N2, Canada, 1991. 7 pamphlets. Illus.

CIS 93-504 Schalkoort T.A.J.
Towards healthier office buildings: A study of the "Sick Building Syndrome" and the possibility of reducing the incidence of health complaints among workers in office buildings
Ontwikkeling en behoud van gezonde kantoorgebouwen: studie naar het "Sick Building Syndrome" en de mogelijkheden van het terugdringen van bewonersklachten in kantoorgebouwen [in Dutch]
The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities for reducing health complaints among office workers associated with the "Sick Building Syndrome". Described are: symptoms and health complaints associated with the Syndrome; factors in the design and maintenance of office buildings thought to be relevant to the development of building sickness (physical, chemical, biological and psychological factors); necessity of reducing the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome. Recommendations for guidelines aimed at a reduction of the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome. In annex: odour thresholds and irritation concentrations of 450 common chemicals, together with a description of the odour when relevant.
Directorate-General of Labour (Directoraat-Generaal van de Arbeid), Postbus 90804, 2509 LV Den Haag, Netherlands, 1991. 88p. 126 ref. Annexes.

CIS 92-1652 Christensson B., Krantz S.
Particulate air contaminants in "sick buildings" - A pilot study
Partikulära luftföroreningar i "sjuka hus" - En pilotstudie [in Swedish]
Eye and upper respiratory tract irritation is a characteristic symptom of 'sick building syndrome'. Concentrations and size distributions of aerosols were determined in two buildings whose occupants had reported such symptoms, and in two buildings where no symptoms had been reported. The 'sick buildings' had higher total dust levels and higher proportions of larger (10-40µm) particles. Differences in respirable dust levels were not so pronounced. The dust was generated by activities within the rooms of the buildings and was not injected by the ventilation systems. The filters in the ventilation systems did not trap very fine particles; these were distributed throughout the buildings when air was recirculated.
Arbetsmiljöinstitutet, Förlagstjänst, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1991. 13p. Illus. 3 ref.

CIS 92-1692 Meckler M.
Indoor air quality from commissioning through building operations
The building commissioning process includes procedures and methods for verifying and documenting the performance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) to ensure proper operation according to design intent and performance goals. The paper examines the relationship of this process to maintaining acceptable indoor air quality (IAQ). Ventilation requirements for reconfigured space are presented. The probable causes of Sick Building Syndrome are discussed, along with preventative measures and control techniques. Air sampling techniques and measurements necessary to investigate IAQ problems are outlined.
ASHRAE Journal, Nov. 1991, Vol.33, No.11, p.42-44, 46-48. 4 ref.

CIS 92-1599 Peyton R.X., Rubio T.C.
Construction safety practices and principles
This reference book surveys in detail construction safety principles and specific, effective how-to information for integrating safety into all aspects of jobsite operations. It demonstrates methods for incorporating safety management techniques into every phase of construction, from pre-job planning through project completion. It provides immediately applicable methods for effective jobsite safety, outlining employers' rights and responsibilities under OSHA guidelines, motivating employees to participate in the safety efforts and safety training. It also offers critical insights into current issues such as the worker component of accident causation, crisis management, hazard communication, substance abuse in the workplace, health hazards such as AIDS and hepatitis, and the sick building syndrome.
Chapman and Hall, Scientific Division of Associated Book Publishers Ltd., 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE, United Kingdom, 1991. vi, 266p. Illus. Index. Price: GBP 29.00.

CIS 92-1720 Malmberg P.
Nordic Expert Group for Documentation of Occupational Exposure Limits - 99. Microorganisms
Nordiska Expertgruppen för Gränsvärdesdokumentation - 99. Mikroorganismer [in Swedish]
Relevant literature was reviewed and evaluated. Inhalation of microorganisms may cause non-infectious diseases by activation of immune and non-immune defence mechanisms. The symptoms include allergic alveolitis, fever, chronic inflammatory changes in the airways, mucous membrane irritation, allergic asthma and rhinitis. Inflammatory cells have receptors which recognise and respond to components of microorganisms, such as endotoxin, peptidoglycan, bacterial peptides and fungal glucans. These substances can produce the "toxic" inflammatory reaction which has been reported from many work environments. On repeated intense exposure, the reaction is compounded by immune reactions that result in allergic alveolitis. Immune, non-immune or both types of reaction have been reported from the cotton industry, farming, animal husbandry, grain handling, wood handling, composting and office work (contaminated humidifiers).
Arbetsmiljöinstitutet, Förlagstjänst, 171 84 Solna, Sweden, 1991. 29p. 142 ref.

CIS 92-1373 Sick building syndrome
In this editorial studies aimed at validating the syndrome of sick building syndrome and investigating the environmental conditions thought to cause them are briefly reviewed. Results show that symptoms are more common in those lower down the office hierarchy than in managers, women have more symptoms than men and, in general, air-conditioned buildings are sicker than naturally ventilated buildings. Recommendations include returning control of the environment to individual workers and providing better training, careers and supervision for building services workers.
Lancet, 14 Dec. 1991, Vol.338, No.8781, p.1493-1494. 23 ref.

CIS 92-536 Hileman B.
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is illness related to low-level exposure to environmental factors that are tolerated by the population at large; reactions to well-recognised allergens are not included. MCS has been discussed in the medical literature, under a variety of names, for at least 40yrs. The lack of a clear definition or diagnostic test impedes estimation of its prevalence, but 4 groups of sufferers can be identified: industrial workers; occupants of poorly ventilated buildings, including office workers and schoolchildren; residents of highly polluted areas; individuals exposed to certain consumer products, drugs or pesticides. Several mechanisms have been proposed, but all are highly speculative.
Chemical and Engineering News, 22 July 1991, Vol.69, No.29, p.26-42. Bibl.ref. Offprints available from American Chemical Society, Distribution, Room 210, 1155 16th Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, USA. Price: USD 10.00.

CIS 92-423 Building air quality - A guide for building owners and facility managers
This manual prepared jointly by the US EPA and NIOSH provides guidance on preventing, identifying and correcting indoor air quality problems. Contents: factors affecting indoor air quality (IAQ); importance of effective communication; preventing IAQ problems (developing a profile of the building conditions from the perspective of indoor air quality, managing buildings for good IAQ); resolving IAQ problems (diagnosing and mitigating IAQ problems, hiring professional assistance). Appendices provide: a general guide to IAQ measurements; basic information on HAVAC system design; indoor moisture and growth of mould and mildew; brief discussions of asbestos and radon concerns.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Indoor Air Division (ANR-445 W), 401 M Street West, Washington D.C., 20277-1663; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Clearinghouse for Occupational Safety and Health Information, Robert A. Taft Laboratories, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati OH 45226, USA, 1991. 229p. Illus.

CIS 92-534 Symposium on air pollutants
Five papers presented at an annual meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (Tucson, Arizona, USA 14-18 Sep. 1990): "Air pollution illnesses: overview and challenge" (F.D. Aldrich); "Indoor air pollution: an edifice complex" (B.O. Brooks et al.); "Risk assessment for diesel exhaust and ozone: the data from people and animals" (C.H. Hobbs and J.L. Mauderly); "Air Pollution: the pathobiologic issues" (R.P. Sherwin); "Air pollutants and the respiratory system: toxicity and pharmacologic interventions" (J. Q. Koenig and W.E. Pierson).
Journal of Toxicology - Clinical Toxicology, 1991, Vol.29, No.3, p.307-400. Illus. Bibl.ref.

CIS 92-662 Nardell E.A., Keegan J., Cheney S.A., Etkind S.C.
Airborne infection - Theoretical limits of protection achievable by building ventilation
Office workers complained about air quality more than 2 years before the occurrence of a coworker tuberculosis exposure (estimated 4 weeks), prompting investigations of building air quality before and after the tuberculosis exposure. The available data permitted the application of a mathematical model of airborne infection to assess the relationship between infection rate, building ventilation, exposure duration, and infectivity of the source case. Predictions were sought as to how many exposed workers would have been infected had the ventilation been optimal for comfort purposes. The theoretical limits of protection achievable by further increases in ventilation, and the relationship of protection to the intensity of exposure were examined. It is concluded that inadequate ventilation may contribute to airborne infection but that the protection afforded to occupants by ventilation above comfort levels may be inherently limited, especially when the level of exposure to infection is high.
American Review of Respiratory Disease, Aug. 1991, Vol.144, No.2, p.302-306. Illus. 35 ref.

CIS 92-285 Farant J.P., Greaves D., Robb R.
Measurement and impact of outdoor air supplied to individual office building occupants on indoor air quality
A new procedure has been developed to measure, under field conditions, the portion of outdoor air that is supplied to individual building occupants. The method is based on the constant release of tracer gas into the outdoor air introduced into a ventilation system and its measurement, at steady state, at individual work stations. The values obtained are called outdoor air supply indexes (OASIs). The results indicate that the type of diffuser, office, partition, and return air inlet and their position relative to each other can have a dramatic effect on the amount of outdoor air supplied to work stations. OASI values obtained also correspond well with a wide array of environmental parameters measured and the complaints made by building occupants. The test takes 30 minutes to complete and requires little preparation and skill. It is anticipated that use of the method will assist in resolving indoor air quality problems in many modern office buildings.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, Sep. 1991, Vol.52, No.9, p.387-392. Illus. 10 ref.

CIS 91-1813
US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (DOL/OSHA)
OSHA technical manual
The second edition of this comprehensive health and safety manual contains 9 additional chapters as well as revisions of existing material. Contents: personal sampling for air contaminants; sampling for surface contamination; heat stress; noise measurement; back disorders and injuries; indoor air quality investigation; investigation of health hazards in hospitals; technical equipment; sample shipping and handling; pressure vessel guidelines; demolition; chemical protective clothing; cranes and derricks; oilwell derrick stability and guywire anchor systems.
Government Institutes Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA, 2nd ed., 1991. 247p. Illus. Bibl.ref. Index.

CIS 91-2018 Daniell W., Camp J., Horstman S.
Trial of a negative ion generator device in remediating problems related to indoor air quality
It has been suggested that supplementation of indoor air with negative ions can improve air quality. This study examined the effects of a "negative ion-generator" device on air contaminants and symptom reporting in two office buildings. Separate sets of functional and nonfunctional negative ion generators were monitored using a double blind, crossover design involving two 5-week exposure periods. There were no detectable direct or residual effects of negative ion generator use on air ion levels, airborne particulates, carbon dioxide levels, or symptom reporting. Symptom reporting declined at both sites initially and appeared to be consistent with placebo effects. Job dissatisfaction was an apparent contributor to symptom reporting, with a magnitude comparable to presumed effects of air quality. Further testing of such devices is needed before they should be considered for office air quality problems.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, June 1991, Vol.33, No.6, p.681-687. 41 ref.

CIS 91-1870 Brandt-Rauf P.W., Andrews L.R., Schwarz-Miller J.
Sick-hospital syndrome
An outbreak of complaints consisting primarily of eye and respiratory tract irritation accompanied by headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea occurred among the operating room personnel of a large metropolitan hospital. This initially was attributed to infiltration of diesel exhaust emissions into the ventilation system. However, following correction of this problem and subsequent unrevealing air monitoring, symptoms persisted and were noted in personnel in adjacent areas of the hospital as well. An industrial hygiene and medical evaluation was undertaken. Monitoring for carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and anaesthetic gases and review of medical records and patient examinations were unrevealing, and the problem resolved gradually over several weeks. This outbreak represents a case of building-associated illness among health professionals in a hospital setting that was triggered by a single, identifiable noxious exposure but was sustained despite any apparent ongoing noxious exposures.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, June 1991, Vol.33, No.6, p.737-739. 10 ref.

CIS 91-1529 Hodgson M.J., Frohliger J., Permar E., Tidwell C., Traven N.D., Olenchock S.A., Karpf M.
Symptoms and microenvironmental measures in nonproblem buildings
Symptoms commonly defined as sick building syndrome (SBS) were studied in a cross-sectional investigation of 147 office workers using a self-assessment scale questionnaire. The environment in the breathing zone was characterised by measuring thermal parameters, volatile organic compounds, respirable suspended particulates, noise and light intensity, and carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide levels. Two symptom groups, mucous membrane irritation and central nervous system depression, were found to be related to the concentrations of volatile organic compounds, crowding, layers of clothing, and measured levels of lighting intensity. Chest tightness was also related to lighting intensity. Results suggest that SBS may have specific environmental causes, including light intensity and the presence of volatile organic compounds.
Journal of Occupational Medicine, Apr. 1991, Vol.33, No.4, p.527-533. 19 ref.

CIS 91-779 Recent developments in occupational medicine
Course material (most of it reproducing articles from scientific periodicals) for a 1-day seminar for occupational physicians, held in Seattle (WA, USA) on 1 Mar. 1991. Subjects covered (among others): clinical ecology; a prospective clinical and virologic study of chronic fatigue; nystatin therapy for the candidiasis hypersensitivity syndrome; study of fibromyalgia; recent trends in occupational diseases (classified by type of disorder); some new problems (dioxin, VDTs, sick-building syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivities); respiratory diseases in agriculture; occupational and environmental factors associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease; detection of occupational liver disease; prevention and surveillance of occupational respiratory diseases.
Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Department of Environmental Health, SC-34, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA, 1991. 1 vol. Illus. Bibl.ref.

CIS 91-797 Office building ventilation
Course material for a 1-day seminar offered in Seattle (WA, USA) on 7 Feb. 1991. Subjects covered: investigation needed for "tight building syndrome" (also known as "sick building syndrome") complaints; the setting up of a state task force on indoor air quality in the state of Washington; understanding and trouble-shooting the HVAC system of indoor heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; psychological aspects of office building problems; checklists for evaluating indoor air quality; case study of indoor environment investigation from the University of Washington.
Northwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Department of Environmental Health, SC-34, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA, 1991. 1 vol. Illus. Bibl.ref.

CIS 91-1021 Sick building syndrome
In connection with the recent establishment of a global alarm system by WHO concerning the mysterious occurrences of respiratory illnesses inside office buildings, known jointly as sick building syndrome, this article discusses this health problem and makes some recommendations for its prevention.
Safety Review (Electricity Association), 1991, Vol.49, p.15-17. Illus.

1990

CIS 92-1369 Sick Building Syndrome: Causes, effects and control
Contents of this manual on the Sick Building Syndrome: survey of the problem; symptoms and illnesses associated with the condition; Legionnaires' disease; causes the syndrome (airborne pollutants, air conditioning systems, air quality and thermal confort, stress); investigation, remedies and prevention. In annex: sample questionnaires for a survey of the office work environment and for building inspection; cleaning, maintenance and design of air-conditioning systems; sick building syndrome and the law (in the UK); resources and contact addresses.
London Hazards Centre, 3rd Floor, Headland House, 308 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8DS, United Kingdom, June 1990. 94p. Illus. 64 ref. Index. Price: GBP 4.50.

CIS 92-920 Norbäck D., Torgén M., Edling C.
Volatile organic compounds, respirable dust, and personal factors related to prevalence and incidence of sick building syndrome in primary schools.
The relationship between sick building syndrome (SBS), indoor exposures, and personal factors was studied in a 4yr longitudinal study among personnel (n=129) in 6 schools. A relationship existed between SBS on the one hand, and a variety of workplace factors, such as concentration of dust and volatile hydrocarbons in the air, the presence of wall-to-wall carpeting, smoking and hyperreactivity, on the other.
British Journal of Industrial Medicine, Nov. 1990, Vol.47, No.11, p.733-741. Illus. 31 ref.

CIS 91-2079 Skov P., Valbjørn O., Pedersen B.V.
Influence of indoor climate on the sick building syndrome in an office environment
The influence of indoor climate factors on symptoms of the sick building syndrome was investigated in Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. Altogether, 2369 office workers in 14 buildings, where indoor climate measurements were made, filled out a questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of the multifactorial effects on the prevalence of work-related mucosal irritation and work-related general symptoms among the office workers showed that the concentration of macromolecular organic floor dust, the floor covering, the number of workplaces in the office, the age of the building, the type of ventilation, and 2 easily recognisable factors, the shelf factor and the fleece factor, were associated with the prevalence of sypmtoms.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Oct. 1990, Vol.16, No.5, p.363-371. 21 ref.

CIS 91-1721 Lundholm M., Lavrell G., Mathiasson L.
Self-levelling mortar as a possible cause of symptoms associated with "Sick Building Syndrome"
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.
Archives of Environmental Health, May-June, Vol.45, No.3, p.135-140. 27 ref.

CIS 90-1920 Norbäck D., Michel I., Widström J.
Indoor air quality and personal factors related to the sick building syndrome
The total indoor hydrocarbon concentration was significantly related to symptoms. Other indoor exposures such as room temperature, air humidity, and formaldehyde or carbon dioxide concentration did not correlate with the symptoms. Personal factors such as reported hyperreactivity and sick leave due to airway diseases were strongly related to the sick building syndrome. Other factors associated with the sick building syndrome were smoking, psychosocial factors, and experience of static electricity at work. Neither atopy, age, sex, nor outdoor exposures correlated significantly with the number of symptoms. It was concluded that the sick building syndrome is of multifactorial origin and related to both indoor hydrocarbon exposure and individual factors.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Apr. 1990, Vol.16, No.2, p.121-128. 34 ref. Illus.

CIS 90-1621 Weschler C.J., Shields H.C., Rainer D.
Concentrations of volatile organic compounds at a building with health and comfort complaints
During two monitoring periods at this facility, concentrations of selected vapour phase organic compounds were significantly greater than those measured at comparable facilities. Several sources were identified including cleaning products, floor wax and latex paints. The dominant source was the building elevator hydraulic system where alkanes were volatilising from the hydraulic fluid. The problem was exacerbated by the relatively low ventilation rate which caused the compounds to accumulate at fairly high steady state values. A number of recommendations are given for improving the air quality in the building.
American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal, May 1990, Vol.51, No.5, p.261-268. Illus. 13 ref.

CIS 90-1721 Parat S., Perdrix A., Grillot R., Croize J.
Prevention strategy for hazards due to air-conditioning systems
Prévention des risques dus à la climatisation. Stratégie d'intervention [in French]
Air-conditioning and humidification systems can be contaminated by various microorganisms. Air traitment for comfort, safety or industrial demands can also induce the presence of pathological manifestations of various origin, such as infectious diseases, immuno-allergic reactions, or the so-called sick building syndrome. These problems have led to the introduction of a biometrological and medical prevention strategy programme. This article reports on the experimental results of interventions in the years 1987-1988.
Archives des maladies professionnelles, 1990, Vol.51, No.1, p.27-35. Illus. 53 ref.

1989

CIS 93-1665 Godish T.
Indoor air pollution control
Contents of this manual: problem definition (personal pollution exposures, sick building syndrome, levels of exposure to specific contaminants and possible health effects); source control of inorganic contaminants (asbestos, combustion-generated pollutants, radon), organic contaminants (formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, pesticides) and biogenic particles (allergies and asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Legionnaires' diseases, moisture control); ventilation for contaminant control; air cleaning; policy and regulatory considerations; air quality diagnostics; mitigation practice.
Lewis Publishers, Inc., 121 South Main Street, Chelsea, Michigan 48118, USA, 1989. xiii, 401p. Illus. Index. Bibl.ref. Price: GBP 64.00.

CIS 92-1577 Molina C., Caillaud D.
Occupational allergic respiratory disorders
Affections respiratoires professionnelles allergiques [in French]
This information note on hypersensitivity lung diseases, or allergic alveolitis, presents a new chapter in the study of respiratory diseases and includes the study of diagnostic criteria and aetiological agents (thermophilic actinomycetes, proteins, moulds, parasites, aerosols and gas). In agriculture, this pathology is represented by farmer's lung, bird breeder's disease, mushroom worker's disease, cheese washer's lung and millworker's disease. In the industrial or urban environment, these lung diseases are found in the plastics industry, due to isocyanates, in workshop or office occupations and in air conditioned premises where various diseases are provoked by air conditioning units (air conditioner fever, sick building syndrome, etc). The problems of compensation in France are outlined.
Encyclopédie médico-chirurgicale, Intoxications - Pathologie du travail, 1989. 6p. 9 ref.

CIS 90-804 Thrasher J.D., Madison R., Broughton A., Gard Z.
Building-related illness and antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde, toluene diisocyanate, and trimellitic anhydride
A case of building-related health complaints was investigated with respect to the relationship among frequency of symptoms, antibodies to albumin conjugates of formaldehyde (HCHO), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), and trimellitic anhydride (TMA), and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). The indoor air concentrations of VOCs, HCHO, TDI and TMA did not exceed Fed-OSHA and ACGIH permissible standards. However, HCHO concentrations ranged between 0.05 and 0.08ppm. The reported symptoms were multiple, involving the eyes, nose, sinuses, throat, lungs, skeletomuscular system and central nervous system. Anti-HCHO, TDI, and TMA isotypes were found in 12 of 14 full-time employees and were nondetectable in one part-time employee. The data suggest that a synergistic immunological response to airborne chemicals may be occurring in these subjects. In conclusion, immunological monitoring of affected individuals where chemicals are suspected may prove to be useful in future investigations of building-related illness.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1989, Vol.15, No.2, p.187-195. Bibl.

CIS 90-348 Skov P., Valbjørn O., Pedersen B.V.
Influence of personal characteristics, job related factors and psychosocial factors on the sick building syndrome
The influence of personal characteristics, life-style, job-related factors, and psychosocial work factors on symptoms of the sick building syndrome was investigated in Greater Copenhagen, Denmark. The buildings were not characterised beforehand as "sick" or "healthy". Of the 4369 employees sent a questionnaire, 3507 returned them. Multivariate logistic regression analyses of the multifactorial effects on the prevalence of work-related mucosal irritation and work-related general symptoms among the office workers showed that sex, job category, work functions (handling of carbonless paper, photocopying, work at video display terminals), psychosocial factors of work (dissatisfaction with superiors or colleagues and quantity of work inhibiting job satisfaction) were associated with work-related mucosal irritation and work-related general symptoms, but these factors could not account for the differences between the buildings as to the prevalence of symptoms. The building factor (i.e. the indoor climate) was strongly associated with the prevalence of the symptoms.
Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, Aug. 1989, Vol.15, No.4, p.286-295. 20 ref. Illus.

1988

CIS 91-2090 Sykes J.M.
Sick building syndrome - A review
This report reviews published information on 'sick building syndrome', the cause of a reputedly high incidence of sickness amongst occupants of sealed, mechanically ventilated buildings. It discusses symptoms, common features of 'sick buildings' and possible causes. On the basis of reported cases, there appears to be no single cause but a series of contributing factors.
Health and Safety Executive, St. Anne's House, Stanley Precinct, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3LZ, United Kingdom, 1988. 20p. 93 ref.

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