Association of Airborne Moisture-Indicating Microorganisms with Building-Related Symptoms in 100 U.S. Office Buildings (original) (raw)
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The aim of this programme is to provide a single system for coordinating the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information on environmental incidents occurring in Scotland, with the objective of using the information to identify priorities for further epidemiological investigation and highlight opportunities for improving active interventions, control, prevention, education, or policy development. Methods: Surveillance is based on active and passive data collection from local and national agencies. This is supplemented by other ad-hoc and media reports of incidents. The unique functionality of system is based on an electronic reporting option and internet-based User Interface for the provision of timely local, regional, and national feedback, to facilitate the investigation and follow-up of incidents associated with human exposure and possible adverse health outcomes. Results: 571 reports were received in 2002 from 51 participants (80% return rate). 107 (20%) returns gave a report of at least one incident. 280 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the dataset, of which 112 (40%) were chemical incidents. The principal pathway for exposure to chemical agents was via the airborne route (66%); 31% of chemical incidents involved land and 3% involved water. Most incidents occurred in commercial locations (20%), with industrial, open space, residential and transportation related locations each accounting for between 10% and 16% of incidents. Incidents involving asbestos were associated principally with building-material fires. Leaks from refrigerators were the principal cause of incidents involving ammonia, whilst breakages of thermometers/sphygmomanometers identified as the principal causes of incidents involving mercury. Of the 280 incidents in the dataset, 161 (58%) involved microbiological agents. Waterborne exposure accounted for 99% of microbiological incidents. Blue-green algae (BGA) is the major microbiological agent reported. Discussion: The system has been demonstrated as a practical method of collating reports and providing feedback of incidents involving environmental agents that have the potential to cause harm to human health. The system captures information on chemical, biological and radiological incidents occurring in the airborne, waterborne and landborne environments. The ad-hoc and media monitoring has proven to be a valuable supplementary source. However, analysis of the incident data for 2002 has shown that Public Health agencies are aware of only a minority of incidents that occurred. The system is being further developed for the real-time notification and epidemiological follow-up of incident involving exposure to hazardous materials and their health impact.
National Environmental Health Indicators in New Zealand: Challenges and Opportunities
Epidemiology, 2004
The aim of this programme is to provide a single system for coordinating the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information on environmental incidents occurring in Scotland, with the objective of using the information to identify priorities for further epidemiological investigation and highlight opportunities for improving active interventions, control, prevention, education, or policy development. Methods: Surveillance is based on active and passive data collection from local and national agencies. This is supplemented by other ad-hoc and media reports of incidents. The unique functionality of system is based on an electronic reporting option and internet-based User Interface for the provision of timely local, regional, and national feedback, to facilitate the investigation and follow-up of incidents associated with human exposure and possible adverse health outcomes. Results: 571 reports were received in 2002 from 51 participants (80% return rate). 107 (20%) returns gave a report of at least one incident. 280 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the dataset, of which 112 (40%) were chemical incidents. The principal pathway for exposure to chemical agents was via the airborne route (66%); 31% of chemical incidents involved land and 3% involved water. Most incidents occurred in commercial locations (20%), with industrial, open space, residential and transportation related locations each accounting for between 10% and 16% of incidents. Incidents involving asbestos were associated principally with building-material fires. Leaks from refrigerators were the principal cause of incidents involving ammonia, whilst breakages of thermometers/sphygmomanometers identified as the principal causes of incidents involving mercury. Of the 280 incidents in the dataset, 161 (58%) involved microbiological agents. Waterborne exposure accounted for 99% of microbiological incidents. Blue-green algae (BGA) is the major microbiological agent reported. Discussion: The system has been demonstrated as a practical method of collating reports and providing feedback of incidents involving environmental agents that have the potential to cause harm to human health. The system captures information on chemical, biological and radiological incidents occurring in the airborne, waterborne and landborne environments. The ad-hoc and media monitoring has proven to be a valuable supplementary source. However, analysis of the incident data for 2002 has shown that Public Health agencies are aware of only a minority of incidents that occurred. The system is being further developed for the real-time notification and epidemiological follow-up of incident involving exposure to hazardous materials and their health impact.
Epidemiology, 2004
The aim of this programme is to provide a single system for coordinating the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information on environmental incidents occurring in Scotland, with the objective of using the information to identify priorities for further epidemiological investigation and highlight opportunities for improving active interventions, control, prevention, education, or policy development. Methods: Surveillance is based on active and passive data collection from local and national agencies. This is supplemented by other ad-hoc and media reports of incidents. The unique functionality of system is based on an electronic reporting option and internet-based User Interface for the provision of timely local, regional, and national feedback, to facilitate the investigation and follow-up of incidents associated with human exposure and possible adverse health outcomes. Results: 571 reports were received in 2002 from 51 participants (80% return rate). 107 (20%) returns gave a report of at least one incident. 280 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the dataset, of which 112 (40%) were chemical incidents. The principal pathway for exposure to chemical agents was via the airborne route (66%); 31% of chemical incidents involved land and 3% involved water. Most incidents occurred in commercial locations (20%), with industrial, open space, residential and transportation related locations each accounting for between 10% and 16% of incidents. Incidents involving asbestos were associated principally with building-material fires. Leaks from refrigerators were the principal cause of incidents involving ammonia, whilst breakages of thermometers/sphygmomanometers identified as the principal causes of incidents involving mercury. Of the 280 incidents in the dataset, 161 (58%) involved microbiological agents. Waterborne exposure accounted for 99% of microbiological incidents. Blue-green algae (BGA) is the major microbiological agent reported. Discussion: The system has been demonstrated as a practical method of collating reports and providing feedback of incidents involving environmental agents that have the potential to cause harm to human health. The system captures information on chemical, biological and radiological incidents occurring in the airborne, waterborne and landborne environments. The ad-hoc and media monitoring has proven to be a valuable supplementary source. However, analysis of the incident data for 2002 has shown that Public Health agencies are aware of only a minority of incidents that occurred. The system is being further developed for the real-time notification and epidemiological follow-up of incident involving exposure to hazardous materials and their health impact.
International Consensus on Principles, Practice and Definitions of Health Impact Assessment
Epidemiology, 2004
The aim of this programme is to provide a single system for coordinating the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information on environmental incidents occurring in Scotland, with the objective of using the information to identify priorities for further epidemiological investigation and highlight opportunities for improving active interventions, control, prevention, education, or policy development. Methods: Surveillance is based on active and passive data collection from local and national agencies. This is supplemented by other ad-hoc and media reports of incidents. The unique functionality of system is based on an electronic reporting option and internet-based User Interface for the provision of timely local, regional, and national feedback, to facilitate the investigation and follow-up of incidents associated with human exposure and possible adverse health outcomes. Results: 571 reports were received in 2002 from 51 participants (80% return rate). 107 (20%) returns gave a report of at least one incident. 280 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the dataset, of which 112 (40%) were chemical incidents. The principal pathway for exposure to chemical agents was via the airborne route (66%); 31% of chemical incidents involved land and 3% involved water. Most incidents occurred in commercial locations (20%), with industrial, open space, residential and transportation related locations each accounting for between 10% and 16% of incidents. Incidents involving asbestos were associated principally with building-material fires. Leaks from refrigerators were the principal cause of incidents involving ammonia, whilst breakages of thermometers/sphygmomanometers identified as the principal causes of incidents involving mercury. Of the 280 incidents in the dataset, 161 (58%) involved microbiological agents. Waterborne exposure accounted for 99% of microbiological incidents. Blue-green algae (BGA) is the major microbiological agent reported. Discussion: The system has been demonstrated as a practical method of collating reports and providing feedback of incidents involving environmental agents that have the potential to cause harm to human health. The system captures information on chemical, biological and radiological incidents occurring in the airborne, waterborne and landborne environments. The ad-hoc and media monitoring has proven to be a valuable supplementary source. However, analysis of the incident data for 2002 has shown that Public Health agencies are aware of only a minority of incidents that occurred. The system is being further developed for the real-time notification and epidemiological follow-up of incident involving exposure to hazardous materials and their health impact.
Urine Specific Gravity as a Marker of Hydration in Workers Working in Low-Humidity Environment
Epidemiology, 2004
The aim of this programme is to provide a single system for co-ordinating the collection, collation, analysis and dissemination of information on environmental incidents occurring in Scotland, with the objective of using the information to identify priorities for further epidemiological investigation and highlight opportunities for improving active interventions, control, prevention, education, or policy development. Methods: Surveillance is based on active and passive data collection from local and national agencies. This is supplemented by other ad-hoc and media reports of incidents. The unique functionality of system is based on an electronic reporting option and internet-based User Interface for the provision of timely local, regional, and national feedback, to facilitate the investigation and follow-up of incidents associated with human exposure and possible adverse health outcomes. Results: 571 reports were received in 2002 from 51 participants (80% return rate). 107 (20%) returns gave a report of at least one incident. 280 satisfied the criteria for inclusion in the dataset, of which 112 (40%) were chemical incidents.
Assessing airborne biological hazard from urban wastewater treatment
Water Research, 2000
AbstractÐThe production of microbial aerosols by urban sewage treatment plants may have wide hygienic implications which call for careful evaluation: exposure to such aerosols may in fact represent a health hazard for plant workers and nearby residents alike. This paper describes the results of a study analysing the degree of microbial contamination at dierent levels of treatment at several plants in the City of Leghorn (Livorno, Italy). Monthly aerosol samples were collected with an agar impact sampler from January to November 1996, from dierent sites at an activated sludge plant, an anaerobic sludge plant and a wastewater washing station. The total bacterial and coliform counts were determined, and pathogenic enteric bacteria and viruses were determined. These same parameters were also measured in wastewater and sludge samples obtained at the same sites. The results revealed that high-grade airborne contamination existed at several of the studied sites. In particular, pathogenic enteric bacteria (Salmonella enteritidis and S. boydii ) were isolated in 2% of the samples (540 l per sample), reovirus in 46% and enterovirus in 9% (1800 litres per sample in indoor environment and 3000 l outdoor), always in association with the former virus. The biological parameters measured had no evident correlation with meteorological factors such as temperature, relative humidity or wind characteristics. Viral contamination proved to be quite wide-spread and detectable even in the presence of low levels of bacterial contamination. Although virological analysis have been only qualitative, and the dierent volumes examined for viruses and bacteria cannot allow us to appraise with accuracy the association between these two parameters, the viral presence along with low bacteria contamination suggests more dedicated studies to address with greater accuracy the quantitative aspects of this association. However the monitoring performed allowed for a determination of the areas of greatest potential risk for plant workers, and the preventive measures most suitable to guaranteeing their safety. #
Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2001
Objectives-To gather enough data from a large scale investigation involving two health authorities, to assess the possible concentrations and routes of exposure and the consequent health implications.To use the data to decide whether a polluted beach should remain open to the public. In Spring 1997, a chemical incident came to light at a beach on the south coast of England when a local resident reported a sulphurous smell, visible signs of oil, and reduced numbers of fishing bait. The beach was situated adjacent to a former gasworks site and was accessible to the public. The incident was reported to the local authority and was initially investigated by the Environment Agency and the local authority. An Environment Agency report confirmed contamination of the beach with cyanide, ammonia, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with associated potential health risks. The incident was then referred to the local health authorities for investigation. Methods-The investigation was carried out in four stages: comprehensive sampling and analysis to identify the extent of contamination, followed by an assessment of risk to health; establishment of a long term monitoring programme to identify any changes in contaminant concentrations; investigation of the eVects of the contamination on shellfish; and review of the routine monitoring data and current sampling strategy. Results-The initial investigation confirmed that the beach was contaminated, with the most likely source being the adjacent former gasworks site. The level of contamination was not found to be likely to pose a hazard to users of the beach. However, subsequent investigation of shellfish in the area led to warning signs being erected on the beach to prevent human consumption of mussels contaminated with PAHs. Conclusions-Several lessons can be learnt from this investigation, which can be applied to incident management more generally: the importance of collaboration and coordination; the need for early involvement of the health authority; and the importance of carrying out appropriate sampling and analysis as soon as possible, to assess the risk to health and the environment. (Occup Environ Med 2001;58:232-238)
2003
Background: Metrics of culturable airborne microorganisms for either total organisms or suspected harmful subgroups have generally not been associated with symptoms among building occupants. However, the visible presence of moisture damage or mold in residences and other buildings has consistently been associated with respiratory symptoms and other health effects. This relationship is presumably caused by adverse but uncharacterized exposures to moisturerelated microbiological growth. In order to assess this hypothesis, we studied relationships in U.S. office buildings between the prevalence of respiratory and irritant symptoms, the concentrations of airborne microorganisms that require moist surfaces on which to grow, and the presence of visible water damage. Methods: For these analyses we used data on buildings, indoor environments, and occupants collected from a representative sample of 100 U.S. office buildings in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (EPA BASE) study. We created 19 alternate metrics, using scales ranging from 3-10 units, that summarized the concentrations of airborne moisture-indicating microorganisms (AMIMOs) as indicators of moisture in buildings. Two were constructed to resemble a metric previously reported to be associated with lung function changes in building occupants; the others were based on another metric from the same group of Finnish researchers, concentration cutpoints from other studies, and professional judgment. We assessed three types of associations: between AMIMO metrics and symptoms in office workers, between evidence of water damage and symptoms, and between water damage and AMIMO metrics. We estimated (as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals) the unadjusted and adjusted associations between the 19 metrics and two types of weekly, work-related symptoms-lower respiratory and mucous membrane-using logistic regression models. Analyses used the original AMIMO metrics and were repeated with simplified dichotomized metrics. The multivariate models adjusted for other potential confounding variables associated with respondents, occupied spaces, buildings, or ventilation systems. Models excluded covariates for moisture-related risks hypothesized to increase