Home characteristics are associated with indoor microbial exposures in subtropical homes

Chang C.H., Chi P.F., Liu Y.W., Wu P.C., Su Y.J.
house, microbiology, respiratory illness
Year:
2003
Bibliographic info:
Healthy Buildings 2003 - Proceedings 7th International Conference (7th-11th December 2003) - National University of Singapore - Vol. 1., pp 700-705, 3 Tab., 17 Ref.

Research has suggested associations between indoor microbial exposures and respiratorydiseases across the globe. This aim of this study was to examine whether microbe levels wereassociated with housing characteristics. Study homes were selected from a prior citywidesurvey, and housing characteristic questionnaires were distributed afterwards. Airborne fungi,bacteria and dust samples were collected. Samplings were conducted every month for a year.Having pets at homes and age of the house were found to affect the indoor concentrations ofDer p 1 and Der p 2. After controlling for the potential influence of outdoor fungi, levels ofindoor total fungi appeared to be associated with the presence of water stagnation in homes.Future research may further endeavour to clarify the basics of aerobiology to identify exactfactors and mechanisms contributing to the elevated microbial concentrations and study themas a function of various housing characteristics to formulate effective environmentalguidelines for healthy buildings.

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