LoginThe aim was to study changes of symptoms and signs in an office exposed to flooding fromheavy rain. All 18 workers participated in medical investigations in January 1998. Thesubjects were first investigated on a Monday in a reference building and then all moved backand were reinvestigated in a damp building after 2 days of exposure. After staying two days inthe damp building there was a significant increase of ocular, nasal and respiratory symptoms,decreased tear film stability (p = 0.003) and an increase of eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP)(p = 0.04) and albumin (p = 0.01) in nasal lavage. Both the control building and the floodedbuilding had good general ventilation, low levels of particles and formaldehyde. The floodedbuilding had a higher concentration of microbial volatile organic (MVOC) and the mouldTrichoderma sp. in the air. In conclusion, exposure to building dampness may cause irritativesymptoms and clinical symptoms in eyes and nasal mucosa.
Health effects of flooding: changes of symptoms, tear film stability and biomarkers in nasal lavage after re-exposure to a damp office building
Year:
2003
Bibliographic info:
Healthy Buildings 2003 - Proceedings 7th International Conference (7th-11th December 2003) - National University of Singapore - Vol. 1., pp 625-630, 3 Tab., 15 Ref.