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Ait Bamai Y, Miyashita C, Ikeda A, Yamazaki K, Kobayashi S, Itoh S, Saijo Y, Ito Y, Yoshioka E, Sato Y, Kishi R, Kamijima M, Yamazaki S, Ohya Y, Yaegashi N, Hashimoto K, Mori C, Ito S, Yamagata Z, Inadera H, Nakayama T, Sobue T, Shima M, Nakamura H, Suganuma N, Kusuhara K, Katoh T. Prenatal risk factors of indoor environment and incidence of childhood eczema in the Japan Environment and Children's Study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 252:118871. [PMID: 38582425 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The quality of indoor environment is a risk factor for early childhood eczema and atopic dermatitis; however, its influence during pregnancy on childhood eczema in Japan has not been investigated. In this study, we aimed to determine the indoor environmental factors that are associated with eczema in children up to 3 years of age, using national birth cohort data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). Information on indoor environments and eczema symptoms until 3 years of age was collected using self-administered questionnaires to the mothers. A total of 71,883 and 58,639 mother-child pairs at 1.5- and 3-years-old, respectively, were included in the former analyses. To account for prenatal indoor risk factors, 17,568 (1.5-years-old) and 7063 (3-years-old) children without indoor mold and/or ETS exposure were included in the final analysis. A higher mold index, gas heater use, parquet flooring use, and frequent insecticide use showed significantly increased risks for childhood eczema up to 3 years of age. These associations were consistent after stratification analysis among children whose parents did not have a history of allergies. The updated WHO guidelines on indoor air quality should be implemented based on recent findings regarding the effects of prenatal exposure to indoor dampness on health effects of children further in life, including asthma, respiratory effects, eczema, and other immunological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ait Bamai
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Miyashita
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Atsuko Ikeda
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Keiko Yamazaki
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Sumitaka Kobayashi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan; Division of Epidemiological Research for Chemical Disorders, National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Sachiko Itoh
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan
| | - Yasuaki Saijo
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Ito
- Faculty of Nursing, Japanese Red Cross Hokkaido College of Nursing, Japan
| | - Eiji Yoshioka
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Sato
- Division of Public Health and Epidemiology, Department of Social Medicine, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Reiko Kishi
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Japan.
| | | | - Shin Yamazaki
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Ohya
- National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Koichi Kusuhara
- University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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2
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Sun Y, Ayoma Marasinghe S, Hou J, Wang P, Zhang Q, Sundell J. Household indoor air quality in northeast China: On-site inspection and measurement in 399 Tianjin area residences. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 190:108825. [PMID: 38908271 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
There has been an increased concern on indoor air quality (IAQ) in residences since the majority of individuals' time is mainly spent indoors. We inspected and measured indoor environmental parameters in 399 homes in northeast China in order to study IAQ. We systematically measured multilevel environmental parameters (physical, chemical, and biological) in children's bedrooms during all seasons. The results indicated that the median values for indoor temperature, relative humidity, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), and formaldehyde concentrations throughout the year were within the Chinese national standards. However, the median carbon dioxide concentrations exceeded 1000 ppm during spring, autumn, and winter. In the same seasons, the air change rate (ACR) was below the minimum required level of 0.5 h-1. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and di-isobutyl phthalate (DiBP) were predominantly detected in settled dust, displaying median concentrations of 126.9, 41.5, and 16.3 μg/g, respectively. Notably, phthalate concentrations were significantly higher in urban houses as compared to rural houses. Furthermore, median concentrations of Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f) and endotoxin were 689.4 ng/g and 3689.1 EU/g, respectively, trending higher in winter than summer. There was a negative correlation between ACR and chemical pollutants (TVOC, formaldehyde, and DiBP). In conclusion, northeast Chinese homes had poor indoor air quality with ubiquitous exposure to modern chemical compounds and insufficient ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexia Sun
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Samali Ayoma Marasinghe
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China; Department of Environmental Management, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka
| | - Jing Hou
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, China.
| | - Pan Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingnan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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3
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Zhang R, Weschler LB, Ye J, Wang Z, Deng Q, Li B, HuaQian, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Huang S, Hong C. Associations between home environmental factors and childhood eczema and related symptoms in different cities in China. Heliyon 2023; 9:e21718. [PMID: 38027650 PMCID: PMC10661510 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown significant associations between home environmental factors and childhood eczema. However, few studies have compared how associations differ in different regions. This study investigated associations between home environmental factors and childhood eczema ever, and related symptoms including itchy rash (IR) and being awakened by itchy rash at night (awake by IR) in 4 cities located in different regions of China, based on cross-sectional investigations during 2010-2012. We used two-step analysis to explore the associations between influencing factors and eczema/related symptoms: first, group Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was conducted to identify important factors among a list of candidates; then, the associations in total study population and in each city were estimated using logistic regression. We found these home environmental factors to be risk factors for eczema or related symptoms: large residence size, shared room, air cleaner at home, abnormal smell, perceived dry air, visible mold or damp stains, cooking with coal or wood, painted wall, incense, mice, new furniture during pregnancy, abnormal smell at birth, window condensation at birth and environmental tobacco smoke at birth. Environmental protective factors were rural house location and window ventilation. Associations of factors with eczema/related symptoms differed across cities. For example, air conditioning was protective for eczema in Beijing and awakening by IR in Shanghai with ORs of 0.70 (95%CI: 0.52, 0.95) and 0.33 (95%CI: 0.14, 0.81) respectively, but not significant in other cities. Our results have implications for improving home environments to reduce the risk of childhood eczema/related symptoms in different regions of China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruosu Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | | | - Jin Ye
- School of Energy and Power, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang, 212100, China
| | - Zhaokun Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- School of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - HuaQian
- School of Energy & Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shaodan Huang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, China
| | - Chuan Hong
- Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, Duke University, North Carolina, USA
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4
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Saadatjoo P, Badamchizadeh P, Mahdavinejad M. Towards the new generation of courtyard buildings as a healthy living concept for post-pandemic era. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2023; 97:104726. [PMID: 37360283 PMCID: PMC10284431 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2023.104726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has laid a context for holistic research and practical approaches towards health issues in buildings. This study focuses on one particular residential building type, which is a combination of a modern apartment building with private double-oriented terraces, and a traditional courtyard building. This principle improves several aspects of healthy buildings and contributes to address indoor-outdoor interactions, daylighting, and the use of natural ventilation. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors underlying a particular type of semi-outdoor space within building forms and to explain their microclimatic behavior in buildings. One solid model and twelve porous apartment buildings with different numbers of porous sides, and terrace widths are evaluated using computational fluid dynamics. The k-ε turbulence model is adapted to simulate airflow in and around a four-story building. CFD simulations were validated against the wind-tunnel measurements. Investigations indicated that increasing the number of porous sides reduces the internal mean and maximum ages of air by -15.75 and -36.84%, which means improved ventilation performance. However, it leaves a negative trace on ventilation of the semi-outdoor spaces. Meanwhile, increasing the width of the terraces enhances the ventilation performance by reducing the mean age of air in units, courtyards, and terraces by -20%, -20%, and -9%, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Saadatjoo
- Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Parinaz Badamchizadeh
- Department of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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5
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A Study on Transformation of Housing Typology and Its Environmental and Social Effects on the Living Conditions of Residents in Planned Residential Neighborhoods of Kabul City. URBAN SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/urbansci6030045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
This study examines the transformation in housing typology from low-rise to apartment buildings in the formal neighborhood of Kabul city. These formal neighborhoods were developed according to plans from 1978. The majority of these neighborhoods were designed with detached houses that had courtyards. Literature reviews, field visits, opinions of residents, and a planning organization provided data for this study. In this study, the transformation of housing in planned neighborhoods is analyzed in relation to their social and environmental impacts. Researchers determined how varying housing typologies affected residents’ health and quality of life in these planned neighborhoods. Initially, we assessed the physical characteristics of the study area and evaluated how much transformation volume is present in the study area. Second, we examined residents’ views of residential development and its impacts, as well as their daily lives. In order to identify the relationship between these two aspects, the study examined the characteristics of the area (variables) from the perspectives of privacy, natural light, shading, sound pollution, air pollution, and energy use. We used several criteria to evaluate the accuracy of the physical characteristics and the respondents’ opinions. Lastly, we provided some recommendations and solutions to improve the current situation.
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6
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Awada M, Becerik-Gerber B, White E, Hoque S, O'Neill Z, Pedrielli G, Wen J, Wu T. Occupant health in buildings: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the opinions of building professionals and implications on research. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 207:108440. [PMID: 34697517 PMCID: PMC8520175 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study are to investigate building professionals' experience, awareness, and interest in occupant health in buildings, and to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their opinions, as well as to compare the research on occupant health in buildings to professionals' opinions. To address these objectives, a mixed research methodology, including a thorough review of the literature (NL = 190) and an online survey (NS = 274), was utilized. In general, there is an increasing research interest in occupant health and a heightened interest in health-related projects, among professionals, following the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, among the nine different building attributes examined, indoor air quality was the most researched building attribute with a focus on occupant health and was also presumed to be the most important by the professionals. Professionals considered fatigue and musculoskeletal pain to be the most important physical well-being issues, and stress, anxiety, and depression to be the most important mental well-being issues that need to be the focus of design, construction, and operation of buildings to support and promote occupant health, while eye-related symptoms and loss of concentration were the most researched physical and mental well-being symptoms in the literature, respectively. Finally, professionals indicated that COVID-19 pandemic had significant effect on their perspectives regarding buildings' impact on occupant health and they believed future building design, construction and operation will focus more on occupant health because of the pandemic experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Awada
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, United States
| | - Burçin Becerik-Gerber
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, United States
| | - Elizabeth White
- School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States
| | - Simi Hoque
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University, United States
| | - Zheng O'Neill
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, United States
| | - Giulia Pedrielli
- School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States
| | - Jin Wen
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University, United States
| | - Teresa Wu
- School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States
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7
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Quantification of Air Change Rate by Selected Methods in a Typical Apartment Building. BUILDINGS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings11040174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
An important parameter that affects indoor climate of buildings and also ventilation heat losses and gains is the speed of air change between the outdoor environment and the interior of buildings. Indoor air quality is therefore significantly associated with ventilation. Quantification of air change rate is complicated, because it is impacted by many parameters, the most variable of which is air flow. This study focuses on the determination and comparison of air change rate values in two methods by quantification of the aerodynamic coefficient Cp = Cpe − Cpi, so-called “aerodynamic quantification of the building” and the methodology based on “experimental measurements of carbon dioxide”. The study describes and takes into account the effect of wind, building parameters and air permeability for the building using “aerodynamic quantification of the building”. The paper compares these calculated results with the values obtained from experimental measurements method of carbon dioxide in a selected reference room in apartment building and evaluates the accuracy of the prediction of the air exchange rate obtained by these methods. At higher wind speeds the values of air change rate with considering the effect of openings are closer to the values obtained based on experimental measurements of carbon dioxide and the difference between the values without considering the effect of openings increases significantly.
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8
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Nazaroff WW. Residential air-change rates: A critical review. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:282-313. [PMID: 33403728 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Air-change rate is an important parameter influencing residential air quality. This article critically assesses the state of knowledge regarding residential air-change rates, emphasizing periods of normal occupancy. Cumulatively, about 40 prior studies have measured air-change rates in approximately 10,000 homes using tracer gases, including metabolic CO2 . The central tendency of the air-change rates determined in these studies is reasonably described as lognormal with a geometric mean of 0.5 h-1 and a geometric standard deviation of 2.0. However, the geometric means of individual studies vary, mainly within the range 0.2-1 h-1 . Air-change rates also vary with time in residences. Factors influencing the air-change rate include weather (indoor-outdoor temperature difference and wind speed), the leakiness of the building envelope, and, when present, operation of mechanical ventilation systems. Occupancy-associated factors are also important, including window opening, induced exhaust from flued combustion, and use of heating and cooling systems. Empirical and methodological challenges remain to be effectively addressed. These include clarifying the time variation of air-change rates in residences during occupancy and understanding the influence of time-varying air-change rates on tracer-gas measurement techniques. Important opportunities are available to improve understanding of air-change rates and interzonal flows as factors affecting the source-to-exposure relationships for indoor air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- William W Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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Hou J, Sun Y, Wang P, Zhang Q, Kong X, Sundell J. Associations between ventilation and children's asthma and allergy in naturally ventilated Chinese homes. INDOOR AIR 2021; 31:383-391. [PMID: 32939827 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Building ventilation is important for occupants' health. There are few studies of associations between home ventilation and occupant's health in China. During 2013-2016, we measured ventilation in 399 homes in Tianjin and Cangzhou, China, and surveyed the health history of children. Ventilation rates were measured using mass balance of occupant generated CO2 . The associations of home ventilation with children's asthma and allergy were analyzed in different strata of time and space. A low bedroom ventilation at night was significantly associated with an increased proportion of rhinitis among children (rhinitis current, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-2.49; diagnosed rhinitis, AOR: 3.02 (1.16-7.89)). Our findings suggest a dose-response relationship between ventilation rate at night in children's bedrooms and rhinitis current. The night-time ventilation rate in bedrooms has a greater association with rhinitis than the whole home ventilation rate during daytime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hou
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingnan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiangrui Kong
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- Tianjin Key Lab. of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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10
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Lu C, Norbäck D, Zhang Y, Li B, Zhao Z, Huang C, Zhang X, Qian H, Sun Y, Sundell J, Wang J, Liu W, Deng Q. Onset and remission of eczema at pre-school age in relation to prenatal and postnatal air pollution and home environment across China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142467. [PMID: 33035972 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We investigated associations between prenatal and postnatal environmental factors and onset and remission of preschool childhood eczema across China. The study population was preschoolers in randomized day care centers in seven cities (N = 39,782). Data on eczema and prenatal and postnatal indoor and outdoor environment were obtained from a cross-sectional questionnaire sent to parents or other guardians. Reports on eczema in the first 2 years and in the past year was used to retrospectively calculate onset and remission (changes of reported eczema). Prenatal and postnatal outdoor temperature, NO2 and PM10 were modelled from official air pollution data. Associations were estimated by two-level logistic regression. Calculated onset rate was 3.2%/y and remission rate 29.2%/y. Exposure to NO2 during pregnancy was associated with onset of eczema, similarly for all trimesters. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 were related to decreased remission. Postnatal outdoor temperature was associated with onset of eczema. Pre-natal and current redecoration or buying new furniture, and perinatal as well as current dampness and indoor mould, were associated with increased onset and decreased remission. Cockroaches in current home was another indoor risk factors. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size were all negatively associated with eczema. In conclusion, a warmer climate and prenatal NO2 can be associated with increased onset of eczema in Chinese preschoolers. Postnatal PM10 and NO2 can be associated with reduced remission. Perinatal and current dampness, indoor mould and cockroaches may increase onset and decrease remission. Exposure to chemical emissions from indoor materials after first year of life may increase onset. Prenatal exposure to farm environment and large family size could be protective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Lu
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dan Norbäck
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Yinping Zhang
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Baizhan Li
- Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy & Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Qihong Deng
- XiangYa School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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11
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Awada M, Becerik-Gerber B, Hoque S, O'Neill Z, Pedrielli G, Wen J, Wu T. Ten questions concerning occupant health in buildings during normal operations and extreme events including the COVID-19 pandemic. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2021; 188:107480. [PMID: 34697517 PMCID: PMC9759512 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent on average around 90% of their time indoors. Now more than ever, with work-from-home orders in place, it is crucial that we radically rethink the design and operation of buildings. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) directly affects the comfort and well-being of occupants. When IEQ is compromised, occupants are at increased risk for many diseases that are exacerbated by both social and economic forces. In the U.S. alone, the annual cost attributed to sick building syndrome in commercial workplaces is estimated to be between $10 billion to $70 billion. It is imperative to understand how parameters that drive IEQ can be designed properly and how buildings can be operated to provide ideal IEQ to safeguard health. While IEQ is a fertile area of scholarship, there is a pressing need for a systematic understanding of how IEQ factors impact occupant health. During extreme events, such as a global pandemic, designers, facility managers, and occupants need pragmatic guidance on reducing health risks in buildings. This paper answers ten questions that explore the effects of buildings on the health of occupants. The study establishes a foundation for future work and provides insights for new research directions and discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Awada
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Burcin Becerik-Gerber
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Southern California, USA
| | - Simi Hoque
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University, USA
| | - Zheng O'Neill
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, USA
| | - Giulia Pedrielli
- School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, USA
| | - Jin Wen
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University, USA
| | - Teresa Wu
- School of Computing Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, USA
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12
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Liu W, Cai J, Sun C, Zou Z, Zhang J, Huang C. Associations between household airborne culturable fungi and allergies and airway illnesses in childhood in Shanghai, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:36570-36578. [PMID: 32564319 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09717-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Associations of household airborne fungi with allergies in childhood were inconsistent in the epidemiologic studies. During 2013-2014, we conducted a case-control study (phase two), which was nested in a cross-sectional study (phase one) during 2011-2012 in Shanghai, China. We inspected indoor air quality of 454 residences for 5-10 years old children. We defined cases as those children who were reported illnesses in the questionnaire of phase one or phase two and defined controls as those children who were not reported illnesses in both phases. A total of 436 living rooms and 445 bedrooms had valid data of household airborne fungi, and their mean concentrations were 301 cfu/m3 and 310 cfu/m3, respectively. In the multiple logistic regression analyses with adjusting for potential confounders, most associations of 16 studied illnesses with airborne fungi concentration were not statistically significant. Taking children in the 1st quartile that was stratified according to airborne fungi concentration in the living room as reference, only children in the 3rd quartile were significantly associated with a higher odd of lifetime-ever ear infections (adjusted OR, 95% CI 3.05, 1.29-7.21), and children in the 4th quartile were significantly associated with a higher odd of lifetime-ever wheeze (2.72, 1.28-5.75); but children in the 3rd quartile (0.33, 0.17-0.68) and in the 4th quartile (0.47, 0.23-0.97) were significantly associated with a lower odd of rhinitis in the past 12 months prior to the home inspection. Our results indicate that exposures to indoor airborne fungi in low concentrations seemingly have no significant impacts on the risks of most allergic and airway illnesses in childhood. Since families with sick participants might pay more attention to improve indoor air quality, effects of "avoidance behavior" on associations between indoor pollutants and childhood health should be considered in the data analysis and design of the nested case-control study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiao Cai
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jialing Zhang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, 516 Jungong Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
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Kahn S, Ehrlich P, Feldman M, Sapolsky R, Wong S. The Jaw Epidemic: Recognition, Origins, Cures, and Prevention. Bioscience 2020; 70:759-771. [PMID: 32973408 PMCID: PMC7498344 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Contemporary humans are living very different lives from those of their ancestors, and some of the changes have had serious consequences for health. Multiple chronic "diseases of civilization," such as cardiovascular problems, cancers, ADHD, and dementias are prevalent, increasing morbidity rates. Stress, including the disruption of traditional sleep patterns by modern lifestyles, plays a prominent role in the etiology of these diseases, including obstructive sleep apnea. Surprisingly, jaw shrinkage since the agricultural revolution, leading to an epidemic of crooked teeth, a lack of adequate space for the last molars (wisdom teeth), and constricted airways, is a major cause of sleep-related stress. Despite claims that the cause of this jaw epidemic is somehow genetic, the speed with which human jaws have changed, especially in the last few centuries, is much too fast to be evolutionary. Correlation in time and space strongly suggests the symptoms are phenotypic responses to a vast natural experiment-rapid and dramatic modifications of human physical and cultural environments. The agricultural and industrial revolutions have produced smaller jaws and less-toned muscles of the face and oropharynx, which contribute to the serious health problems mentioned above. The mechanism of change, research and clinical trials suggest, lies in orofacial posture, the way people now hold their jaws when not voluntarily moving them in speaking or eating and especially when sleeping. The critical resting oral posture has been disrupted in societies no longer hunting and gathering. Virtually all aspects of how modern people function and rest are radically different from those of our ancestors. We also briefly discuss treatment of jaw symptoms and possible clinical cures for individuals, as well as changes in society that might lead to better care and, ultimately, prevention.
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Pan W, Zeng D, Ding N, Luo K, Man YB, Zeng L, Zhang Q, Luo J, Kang Y. Percutaneous Penetration and Metabolism of Plasticizers by Skin Cells and Its Implication in Dermal Exposure to Plasticizers by Skin Wipes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:10181-10190. [PMID: 32678582 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c02455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies focused on the human exposure to plasticizers via dermal contact; however, the percutaneous penetration of plasticizers was seldom considered in exposure assessment. In the present study, skin wipes of palms, back-of-hands, and forehead were collected from 114 participants (ages: 18-27). There was no significant difference between the levels of phthalates from palms and back-of-hand, while all phthalates collected from the forehead were significantly higher than those from palms and back-of-hand (p < 0.001); di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate levels were substantially higher than other detected phthalates followed by di(n-butyl)phthalate and di(isobutyl)phthalate (DiBP), and for alternative plasticizers, bis-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate levels were substantially higher than acetyltributyl citrate and bis-2-ethylhexyladipate. Skin permeation and metabolism of phthalates was assessed using human skin equivalent models. The permeability coefficient (kp) values of phthalates were significantly negatively correlated with their log octanol-water partition coefficient (log Kow), while a significantly positive correlation was found between the log Kow and the cumulative amounts of phthalates in the cells. The proportion of phthalate intake via dermal exposure to skin wipes ranges from 1.3% (for dimethyl phthalate) to 8.6% (for DiBP) and suggests that dermal absorption is a significant route for adult phthalate exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Pan
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Diya Zeng
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Ding
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Kesong Luo
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Bon Man
- Consortium on Health, Environment, Education and Research (CHEER), and Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixuan Zeng
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyun Zhang
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiwen Luo
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Kang
- School of Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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15
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Moreno-Rangel A, Sharpe T, McGill G, Musau F. Indoor Air Quality in Passivhaus Dwellings: A Literature Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17134749. [PMID: 32630329 PMCID: PMC7369996 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17134749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a critical consideration in airtight buildings that depend on mechanical ventilation, such as those constructed to the Passivhaus standard. While previous reviews of IAQ on Passivhaus-certified buildings foccused on offices, this study examines residential buildings. A summary of data collection methods and pollutant concentrations is presented, followed by a critical discussion of the impact of Passivhaus design strategies on IAQ. This review indicates that IAQ in Passivhaus-certified dwellings is generally better than in conventional homes, but both occupant behaviour and pollution from outdoor sources play a significant role in indoor concentrations. Moreover, there are differences in data collection and reporting methods. Many of the available studies depend on short-term IAQ monitoring of less than two weeks, making it difficult to determine the longer impact of housing design on IAQ and occupants' well-being. There is also a lack of studies from non-European countries. Future research should focus on investigating associations between IAQ and Passivhaus design strategies in hot and humid climates, where evidence is particularly lacking. Further effort is also required to investigate potential links between occupant's perception of IAQ and physical exposure to indoor pollution. Finally, the lack of homogeneous monitoring and reporting methods for IAQ studies needs to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Moreno-Rangel
- Lancaster Institute the Contemporary Arts, Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-01524-510873
| | - Tim Sharpe
- Department of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK; (T.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Gráinne McGill
- Department of Architecture, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK; (T.S.); (G.M.)
| | - Filbert Musau
- Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit, The Glasgow School of Art, 167 Renfrew Street, Glasgow G3 6RQ, UK;
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Humphrey JL, Barton KE, Man Shrestha P, Carlton EJ, Newman LS, Dowling Root E, Adgate JL, Miller SL. Air infiltration in low-income, urban homes and its relationship to lung function. JOURNAL OF EXPOSURE SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 2020; 30:262-270. [PMID: 31641277 DOI: 10.1038/s41370-019-0184-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Previous research has found increased home ventilation, which may affect health by altering the composition of indoor air, is associated with improvement of respiratory health, but evidence linking home ventilation to objectively measured lung function is sparse. The Colorado Home Energy Efficiency and Respiratory health (CHEER) study, a cross-sectional study of low-income, urban, nonsmoking homes across the Northern Front Range of Colorado, USA, focused on elucidating this link. We used a multipoint depressurization blower door test to measure the air tightness of the homes and calculate the annual average infiltration rate (AAIR). Lung function tests were administered to eligible participants. We analyzed data from 253 participants in 187 homes with two or more acceptable spirometry tests. We used generalized estimating equations to model forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC z-scores as a function of AAIR. AAIRs ranged from 0.10 to 1.98 air changes per hour. Mean z-scores for FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were -0.57, 0.32, and -0.43, respectively. AAIR was positively associated with increased FEV1/FVC z-scores, such that a 1-unit change in AAIR corresponded to a half of a standard deviation in lung function (β = 0.51, CI: 0.02-0.99). These associations were strongest for healthy populations and weaker for those with asthma and asthma-like symptoms. AAIR was not associated with FEV1 or FVC. Our study is the first in the United States to link home ventilation by infiltration to objectively measured lung function in low-income, urban households.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L Humphrey
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0427, USA
| | - Kelsey E Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Prateek Man Shrestha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0427, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Carlton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Lee S Newman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E. 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Elisabeth Dowling Root
- Department of Geography and Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, 1036 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Shelly L Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO, 80309-0427, USA.
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17
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Liu W, He Z, Chen W, Li C, Kan H, Weschler LB, Bai L, Zhang Y. Birth month is associated with learning capacity in childhood in Northeast China. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:31-39. [PMID: 31541483 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
It is difficult to evaluate long-term ventilation and indoor-outdoor temperature variation on-site in the birth residence so as to investigate their associations with learning capacity from childhood through adolescence. Here, we conducted a questionnaire-based retrospective cohort study in ten schools from two northeast China cities with warm summers and severe cold winters when residences had very low air exchange rates. Scores for Chinese, Mathematics, and English in the final exams of the summer semester in June 2018 were collected to evaluate learning capacity. We surveyed 6238 students aged 14.7 (SD: 2.1) years old. Using the 2nd quarter (April-May-June) birth as reference, 4th quarter (October-November-December) birth consistently was significantly associated with lower scores in Chinese in bivariate (β, 95%CI: -3.2, -4.3 to -2.0) and multivariate (-1.8, -2.4 to -0.8) linear regression analyses. Stratified sub-analyses showed significant associations for male (-2.4, -3.7 to -1.1), urban (-2.4, -3.4 to -1.4), and primary students (-2.9, -4.5 to -1.4). Since household ventilation and indoor-outdoor temperature variation had great differences between the 2nd and 4th quarter of year, our results suggest that these two factors in the birth residence could be associated with learning capacity in childhood, especially for male and primary students in northeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
- Institute for Health and Environment, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, Chongqing, China
| | - Zijian He
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China
| | - Wanyue Chen
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunhui Li
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China
| | - Haidong Kan
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Louise B Weschler
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
| | - Li Bai
- School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, China
| | - Yinping Zhang
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Lab of Indoor Air Quality Evaluation and Control, Beijing, China
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18
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Jessel S, Sawyer S, Hernández D. Energy, Poverty, and Health in Climate Change: A Comprehensive Review of an Emerging Literature. Front Public Health 2019; 7:357. [PMID: 31921733 PMCID: PMC6920209 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Household energy is increasingly vital for maintaining good health. Unaffordable and inadequate household energy presents adverse consequences that are amplified by poverty and a changing climate. To date, the connections between energy, socioeconomic disadvantage, and well-being are generally underappreciated, and household energy connection with climate change is under-researched. Building on the energy insecurity framework, this review explores literature related to household energy, poverty, and health in order to highlight the disproportionate burdens borne by vulnerable populations in adequately meeting household energy needs. This paper is based on a comprehensive review of books, peer-reviewed articles, and reports published between 1990 and 2019, identified via databases including JSTOR and PubMed. A total of 406 publications were selected as having potential for full review, 203 received full review, and 162 were included in this paper on the basis of set inclusion criteria. From the literature review, we created an original heuristic model that describes energy insecurity as either acute or chronic, and we further explore the mediators and pathways that link energy insecurity to health. In the discussion, we posit that the extant literature does not sufficiently consider that vulnerable communities often experience energy insecurity bundled with other hardships. We also discuss energy, poverty, and health through the lens of climate change, making the criticism that most research on household energy does not consider climate change. This evidence is important for enhancing research in this field and developing programmatic and policy interventions as they pertain to energy access, affordability, and health, with special emphasis on vulnerable populations, climate change, and social inequality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Jessel
- Helibrunn Department of Population and Family Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Samantha Sawyer
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Diana Hernández
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, United States
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19
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Cheung PK, Jim CY. Impacts of air conditioning on air quality in tiny homes in Hong Kong. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 684:434-444. [PMID: 31154216 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The risk of developing sick building syndrome is known to be higher in air-conditioned than naturally ventilated spaces. In Hong Kong, air conditioning (AC) is commonly used in homes to relieve summer heat stress. This study aims to assess the air quality impacts of AC in tiny homes called SDUs (sub-divided units). Poor ventilation and stronger heat stress in such informal housing could necessitate the use of AC. Predicted mean vote (PMV), CO, CO2, PM10, PM2.5 and VOCs were continuously monitored for 72 h in eight SDUs. PMV was ≥2 ('warm') in 75% of the SDUs at sleeping time (after 22:00), implying an 80% dissatisfaction among the occupants. During AC use, the mean concentrations of CO and CO2 increased from 220 to 905 μg/m3 (+312%) and from 920 to 1711 mg/m3 (+86%) respectively. The highest CO2 level (3758 mg/m3) was observed in a 3-person household (one more than other SDUs). The overall impacts on PM10 (+4%) and PM2.5 (+19%) were relatively insignificant. Reduced ventilation in air-conditioned homes facilitated the accumulation of VOCs (mean change: +22%). The findings could inform building design and modify AC usage practice to improve the indoor environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pui Kwan Cheung
- Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
| | - C Y Jim
- Department of Social Sciences, Education University of Hong Kong, Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China.
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20
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Hou J, Sun Y, Chen Q, Cheng R, Liu J, Shen X, Tan H, Yin H, Huang K, Gao Y, Dai X, Zhang L, Liu B, Sundell J. Air change rates in urban Chinese bedrooms. INDOOR AIR 2019; 29:828-839. [PMID: 31230391 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The ventilation modalities in most Chinese residences are infiltration and opening windows. We measured infiltration rates and air change rates at night, with no attempt to change occupants' behaviors, of urban residences in five climate zones of China during four seasons. Using the CO2 decay method, we found the median infiltration rate for 294 residences to be 0.34 h-1 . Using occupant-generated CO2 as tracer gas, we determined air change rates over the course of 1 year in 46 bedrooms at night from mass balance considerations. In 54% of the measurements, windows were closed, so ventilation was only by infiltration. Windows were mainly closed when the outdoor temperature was below 15°C and above 26°C. The median infiltration rates did not differ appreciably among seasons and climate zones and were always less than 0.45 h-1 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hou
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingyan Chen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Rongsai Cheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Junjie Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiong Shen
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongwei Tan
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haiguo Yin
- School of Building Services Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Kailiang Huang
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yao Gao
- Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Xilei Dai
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Leiming Zhang
- School of Building Services Science and Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, China
| | - Bowen Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Building Research Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
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21
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Zeng D, Kang Y, Chen J, Li A, Chen W, Li Z, He L, Zhang Q, Luo J, Zeng L. Dermal bioaccessibility of plasticizers in indoor dust and clothing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 672:798-805. [PMID: 30978542 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Several studies indicate that human exposure to plasticizers via dermal pathway is not negligible, but the dermal bioaccessibility of phthalates and alternative plasticizers from the important environmental matrix including indoor dust and clothing and the importance weight of dermal exposure to those pollutants have been poorly studied. An in vitro physiologically based extraction test was employed to investigate the dermal bioaccessibility of target phthalates and alternative plasticizers from indoor dust and clothing. Temperature, incubation time, sweat/sebum ratio and solid/liquid ratio were selected to study their effects on the bioaccessibility. The bioaccessibility of Diethyl phthalates (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), bis-2-ethylhexyladipate (DEHA) and bis-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT) in indoor dust were 66.20 ± 1.93%, 94.27 ± 1.31%, 80.37 ± 8.09%, 75.02 ± 2.12%, 94.50 ± 3.42% and 74.09 ± 3.79%, respectively, under the condition of 1:1 sweat/sebum ratio, 1/100 solid/liquid ratio (indoor dust), 1:1 area/area ratio (1:1, clothing) and 90 min incubation time at 36.3 °C which are chosen based on the experimental results and human physical conditions. DBP showed the highest bioaccessibility in all samples. The time course of the plasticizer release was fitted to a first-order one-compartment model. DBP showed the highest release rate (k1) calculated from the model, which was consistent with the bioaccessibility result. Risk assessment indicated that dermal exposure of DBP was an important exposure route, accounting for about 21.58% of total intake, and indoor dust was an important exposure media when considering the dermal bioaccessibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diya Zeng
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Kang
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Drinking Water Safety, and Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Junheng Chen
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Anyao Li
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanyu Chen
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhumei Li
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Lintao He
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiuyun Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Drinking Water Safety, and Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiwen Luo
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Drinking Water Safety, and Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixuan Zeng
- School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China; Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Center for Drinking Water Safety, and Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Environment, South China Normal University, Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou 510006, People's Republic of China
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Koivisto AJ, Kling KI, Hänninen O, Jayjock M, Löndahl J, Wierzbicka A, Fonseca AS, Uhrbrand K, Boor BE, Jiménez AS, Hämeri K, Maso MD, Arnold SF, Jensen KA, Viana M, Morawska L, Hussein T. Source specific exposure and risk assessment for indoor aerosols. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 668:13-24. [PMID: 30851679 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Poor air quality is a leading contributor to the global disease burden and total number of deaths worldwide. Humans spend most of their time in built environments where the majority of the inhalation exposure occurs. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is challenged by outdoor air pollution entering indoors through ventilation and infiltration and by indoor emission sources. The aim of this study was to understand the current knowledge level and gaps regarding effective approaches to improve IAQ. Emission regulations currently focus on outdoor emissions, whereas quantitative understanding of emissions from indoor sources is generally lacking. Therefore, specific indoor sources need to be identified, characterized, and quantified according to their environmental and human health impact. The emission sources should be stored in terms of relevant metrics and statistics in an easily accessible format that is applicable for source specific exposure assessment by using mathematical mass balance modelings. This forms a foundation for comprehensive risk assessment and efficient interventions. For such a general exposure assessment model we need 1) systematic methods for indoor aerosol emission source assessment, 2) source emission documentation in terms of relevant a) aerosol metrics and b) biological metrics, 3) default model parameterization for predictive exposure modeling, 4) other needs related to aerosol characterization techniques and modeling methods. Such a general exposure assessment model can be applicable for private, public, and occupational indoor exposure assessment, making it a valuable tool for public health professionals, product safety designers, industrial hygienists, building scientists, and environmental consultants working in the field of IAQ and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antti Joonas Koivisto
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark.
| | - Kirsten Inga Kling
- National Centre for Nano Fabrication and Characterization, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej 307, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Otto Hänninen
- National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Jakob Löndahl
- Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Box 118, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Aneta Wierzbicka
- Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Lund University, Box 118, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ana Sofia Fonseca
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Katrine Uhrbrand
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Brandon E Boor
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States; Ray W. Herrick Laboratories, Center for High Performance Buildings, Purdue University, 177 South Russell Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Araceli Sánchez Jiménez
- Centre for Human Exposure Science (CHES), Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM), Research Avenue North, Riccarton, Edinburgh EH14 4AP, UK
| | - Kaarle Hämeri
- University of Helsinki, Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), PL 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Miikka Dal Maso
- Aerosol Physics, Faculty of Natural Science, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Susan F Arnold
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Keld A Jensen
- National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark
| | - Mar Viana
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), C/ Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
| | - Tareq Hussein
- University of Helsinki, Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR), PL 64, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; The University of Jordan, Department of Physics, Amman 11942, Jordan
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23
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Bonamonte D, Filoni A, Vestita M, Romita P, Foti C, Angelini G. The Role of the Environmental Risk Factors in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Outcome of Atopic Dermatitis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:2450605. [PMID: 31119157 PMCID: PMC6500695 DOI: 10.1155/2019/2450605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) prevalence is rising worldwide. Literature data suggest the incidence of AD in developing countries is gradually getting close to that of developed ones, in which AD affects 20% of the paediatric population. Such an increment, associated with significant variations in prevalence among the various countries, underlines the importance of environmental factors in the disease onset. Among these, great importance is given to hygiene, intestinal microbiota, exposure to bacterial endotoxins, outdoor living with contact to animals, atmospheric pollution, weather, and diet. Genetic (alteration of the skin barrier function) as well as immunologic factors concur with the environmental ones. Only the systematical study of all these elements can best elucidate AD epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Bonamonte
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Angela Filoni
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
- San Gallicano Dermatologic Institute, Via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Michelangelo Vestita
- Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Paolo Romita
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Caterina Foti
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Gianni Angelini
- Section of Dermatology, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, University of Bari, 11 Piazza Giulio Cesare, Bari 70124, Italy
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24
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Carlton EJ, Barton K, Shrestha PM, Humphrey J, Newman LS, Adgate JL, Root E, Miller S. Relationships between home ventilation rates and respiratory health in the Colorado Home Energy Efficiency and Respiratory Health (CHEER) study. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2019; 169:297-307. [PMID: 30500684 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As societies adopt green building practices to reduce energy expenditures and emissions that contribute to climate change, it is important to consider how such building design changes influence health. These practices typically focus on reducing air exchange rates between the building interior and the outdoor environment to minimize energy loss, the health effects of which are not well characterized. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between air exchange rates and respiratory health in a multi-ethnic population living in low-income, urban homes. METHODS The Colorado Home Energy Efficiency and Respiratory Health (CHEER) study is a cross-sectional study that enrolled 302 people in 216 non-smoking, low-income single-family homes, duplexes and town-homes from Colorado's Northern Front Range. A blower door test was conducted and the annual average air exchange rate (AAER) was estimated for each home. Respiratory health was assessed using a structured questionnaire based on standard instruments. We estimated the association between AAER and respiratory symptoms, adjusting for relevant confounders. RESULTS Air exchange rates in many homes were high compared to prior studies (median 0.54 air changes per hour, range 0.10, 2.17). Residents in homes with higher AAER were more likely to report chronic cough, asthma and asthma-like symptoms, including taking medication for wheeze, wheeze that limited activities and dry cough at night. Allergic symptoms were not associated with AAER in any models. The association between AAER and asthma-like symptoms was stronger for households located in areas with high potential exposure to traffic related pollutants, but this was not consistent across all health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS While prior studies have highlighted the potential hazards of low ventilation rates in residences, this study suggests high ventilation rates in single-family homes, duplexes and town-homes in urban areas may also have negative impacts on respiratory health, possibly due to the infiltration of outdoor pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Carlton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, United States.
| | - Kelsey Barton
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Prateek Man Shrestha
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0427, United States
| | - Jamie Humphrey
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0427, United States
| | - Lee S Newman
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, United States; Division of Pulmonary Science and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - John L Adgate
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 13001 E 17th Place B119, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Elisabeth Root
- Department of Geography and Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, 1036 Derby Hall, 154 North Oval Mall, Columbus, OH 43210, United States
| | - Shelly Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, 427 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0427, United States
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25
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Modern life makes children allergic. A cross-sectional study: associations of home environment and lifestyles with asthma and allergy among children in Tianjin region, China. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2019; 92:587-598. [PMID: 30627853 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1395-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE In the past 60 years, the prevalences of asthma and allergy among children have increased around the world. Neither genetic nor outdoor environmental factors can explain this increase. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 7366 children in Tianjin, China, on associations of home environment and lifestyles with asthma and allergy. RESULTS The prevalences of diagnosed asthma, rhinitis and eczema among 0- to 8-year-old children in the Tianjin area were 4%, 9% and 39%. Home environment and lifestyle, together with infections, were strong risk factors. For asthma and allergy, the population attributable fraction (PAF) due to modern floors and wall coverings (i.e., laminated wooden floors and painted walls compared to tile floors and lime-coated walls) was 22%. Window condensation in winter and air conditioner use in summer, both of which are proxies for less ventilation, accounted for 7-17% of rhinitis and eczema. Cesarean delivery accounted for 10% of eczema symptoms. We developed a modern life index from appropriate home characteristics and lifestyle and food consumption habits and found it to have a clear dose-response relationship with asthma and allergy in Tianjin children. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that a "modern" home environment together with a modern lifestyle is associated with increased prevalences of asthma and allergies among children. Appropriate indoor environmental interventions and education of children's caregivers are important in the management of childhood asthma and allergy.
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26
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Dong R, Zheng J, Zhang M, Chen J, Zhang H, Gao X, Wang Y, Wu M, Li S, Chen B. The concentrations and cumulative risk assessment of phthalates in general population from Shanghai: The comparison between groups with different ages. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 637-638:871-880. [PMID: 29763868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Phthalates are predominantly used as plasticizers in daily consumer products. People are regularly exposed to phthalates through contact with these products. Phthalates are suspected to cause adverse effects in general population. We detected 10 metabolites of 6 phthalates in 3348 urine samples of general population (infants (0-1 yr), children and adolescents (2-19 yr), adults (≥20 yr), and pregnant women) from Shanghai. The Daily intake for phthalates was estimated based on the levels of urinary metabolites. Hazard quotient (HQ) was used to evaluate the risk from the exposure to a single chemical. For the cumulative risk calculation, HQs of different phthalates were added to produce the Hazard index (HI). Overall, exposure was low in adults but presented at a relatively high level throughout childhood. The exposure to some specific phthalates was high in infants and pregnant women. The cumulative risk assessment showed cause for concern mainly for infants and children subgroups. The results indicated that general population from Shanghai was widely exposed to phthalates and the infants were possibly at a high risk of cumulative exposure to phthalates.
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Affiliation(s)
- RuiHua Dong
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - JianHeng Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Key Laboratory of State General Administration of Sport, Shanghai Research Institute of Sports Science, Shanghai 200030, People's Republic of China.
| | - MeiRu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Environmental Health & Occupational Health Department, Shanghai Xuhui Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shanghai 200030, People's Republic of China.
| | - JingSi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Han Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Xi Gao
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - YiFei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Min Wu
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - ShuGuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Bo Chen
- Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety of Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Social Risks Governance in Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
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27
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Fisk WJ. How home ventilation rates affect health: A literature review. INDOOR AIR 2018; 28:473-487. [PMID: 29705988 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews studies of the relationships between ventilation rates (VRs) in homes and occupant health, primarily respiratory health. Five cross-sectional studies, seven case-control studies, and eight intervention studies met inclusion criteria. Nearly all studies controlled for a range of potential confounders and most intervention studies included placebo conditions. Just over half of studies reported one or more statistically significant (SS) health benefits of increased VRs. Wheeze was most clearly associated with VR. No health outcomes had SS associations with VRs in the majority of statistical tests. Most studies that reported SS health benefits from increased VRs also had additional health outcomes that did not improve with increased VRs. Overall, the number of SS improvements in health with increased VRs exceeded the anticipated chance improvements by approximately a factor of seven. The magnitude of the improvements in health outcomes with increased VRs ranged from 20% to several-fold improvements. In summary, the available research indicates a tendency for improvements in respiratory health with increased home VRs; however, health benefits do not occur consistently and other exposure control measures should be used together with ventilation. The research did not enable identification of a threshold VR below which adverse health effects occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- W J Fisk
- Indoor Environment Group, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
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28
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Jayjock M, Havics AA. Residential inter-zonal ventilation rates for exposure modeling. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2018; 15:376-388. [PMID: 29420141 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2018.1438615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Residential inter-zonal (e.g., between rooms) ventilation is comprised of fresh air infiltration in and exfiltration out of the whole house plus the "fresh" air that is entering (and exiting) the room of interest from other rooms or areas within the house. Clearly, the inter-zone ventilation rate in any room of interest will be greater than the infiltration/exfiltration ventilation rate of outdoor air for the whole house. The purpose of this study is to determine how much greater the inter-zonal ventilation rate is in typical U.S. residences compared to the whole house ventilation rate from outdoor air. The data for this statistical analysis came from HouseDB, a 1995 EPA database of residential ventilation rates. Analytical results indicate that a lognormal distribution provides the best fit to the data. Lognormal probability distribution functions (PDFs) are provided for various inter-zonal ventilation rates for comparison to the PDF for the whole house ventilation rates. All ventilation rates are expressed as air change rates per hour (ACH). These PDFs can be used as inputs to exposure models. This analysis suggests that if one were performing a deterministic analysis for unknown housing stocks in the U.S., a default mean and median ACH values of 0.4/hr and 0.3/hr, respectively, for whole house ventilation would be appropriate; and 0.7/hr and 0.6/hr, respectively, for inter-zonal ventilation.
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29
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Effects of ERV Filter Degradation on Indoor CO2 Levels of a Classroom. SUSTAINABILITY 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/su10041215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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30
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Poortinga W, Rodgers SE, Lyons RA, Anderson P, Tweed C, Grey C, Jiang S, Johnson R, Watkins A, Winfield TG. The health impacts of energy performance investments in low-income areas: a mixed-methods approach. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.3310/phr06050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundCold homes and fuel poverty contribute to health inequalities in ways that could be addressed through energy efficiency interventions.ObjectivesTo determine the health and psychosocial impacts of energy performance investments in low-income areas, particularly hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory conditions, prevalence of respiratory symptoms and mental health status, hydrothermal conditions and household energy use, psychosocial outcomes, cost consequences to the health system and the cost utility of these investments.DesignA mixed-methods study comprising data linkage (25,908 individuals living in 4968 intervention homes), a field study with a controlled pre-/post-test design (intervention,n = 418; control,n = 418), a controlled multilevel interrupted time series analysis of internal hydrothermal conditions (intervention,n = 48; control,n = 40) and a health economic assessment.SettingLow-income areas across Wales.ParticipantsResidents who received energy efficiency measures through the intervention programme and matched control groups.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes – emergency hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory conditions, self-reported respiratory symptoms, mental health status, indoor air temperature and indoor relative humidity. Secondary outcomes – emergency hospital admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-related cardiorespiratory conditions, excess winter admissions, health-related quality of life, subjective well-being, self-reported fuel poverty, financial stress and difficulties, food security, social interaction, thermal satisfaction and self-reported housing conditions.MethodsAnonymously linked individual health records for emergency hospital admissions were analysed using mixed multilevel linear models. A quasi-experimental controlled field study used a multilevel repeated measures approach. Controlled multilevel interrupted time series analyses were conducted to estimate changes in internal hydrothermal conditions following the intervention. The economic evaluation comprised cost–consequence and cost–utility analyses.Data sourcesThe Patient Episode Database for Wales 2005–14, intervention records from 28 local authorities and housing associations, and scheme managers who delivered the programme.ResultsThe study found no evidence of changes in physical health. However, there were improvements in subjective well-being and a number of psychosocial outcomes. The household monitoring study found that the intervention raised indoor temperature and helped reduce energy use. No evidence was found of substantial increases in indoor humidity levels. The health economic assessment found no explicit cost reductions to the health service as a result of non-significant changes in emergency admissions for cardiorespiratory conditions.LimitationsThis was a non-randomised intervention study with household monitoring and field studies that relied on self-response. Data linkage focused on emergency admissions only.ConclusionAlthough there was no evidence that energy performance investments provide physical health benefits or reduce health service usage, there was evidence that they improve social and economic conditions that are conducive to better health and improved subjective well-being. The intervention has been successful in reducing energy use and improving the living conditions of households in low-income areas. The lack of association of emergency hospital admissions with energy performance investments means that we were unable to evidence cost saving to health-service providers.Future workOur research suggests the importance of incorporating evaluations with follow-up into intervention research from the start.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Public Health Research programme.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah E Rodgers
- Farr Institute, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Ronan A Lyons
- Farr Institute, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Pippa Anderson
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Chris Tweed
- Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Charlotte Grey
- Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Shiyu Jiang
- Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Rhodri Johnson
- Farr Institute, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Alan Watkins
- Farr Institute, College of Medicine, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Thomas G Winfield
- Swansea Centre for Health Economics, College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
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Wang J, Engvall K, Smedje G, Nilsson H, Norbäck D. Current wheeze, asthma, respiratory infections, and rhinitis among adults in relation to inspection data and indoor measurements in single-family houses in Sweden-The BETSI study. INDOOR AIR 2017; 27:725-736. [PMID: 28005296 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the Swedish Building Energy, Technical Status and Indoor environment study, a total of 1160 adults from 605 single-family houses answered a questionnaire on respiratory health. Building inspectors investigated the homes and measured temperature, air humidity, air exchange rate, and wood moisture content (in attic and crawl space). Moisture load was calculated as the difference between indoor and outdoor absolute humidity. Totally, 7.3% were smokers, 8.7% had doctor' diagnosed asthma, 11.2% current wheeze, and 9.5% current asthma symptoms. Totally, 50.3% had respiratory infections and 26.0% rhinitis. The mean air exchange rate was 0.36/h, and the mean moisture load 1.70 g/m3 . Damp foundation (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.16-2.78) was positively associated while floor constructions with crawl space (OR=0.49, 95% CI 0.29-0.84) was negatively associated with wheeze. Concrete slabs with overlying insulation (OR=2.21, 95% CI 1.24-3.92) and brick façade (OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.07-2.73) were associated with rhinitis. Moisture load was associated with respiratory infections (OR=1.21 per 1 g/m3 , 95% CI 1.04-1.40) and rhinitis (OR=1.36 per 1 g/m3 , 95% CI 1.02-1.83). Air exchange rate was associated with current asthma symptoms (OR=0.85 per 0.1/h, 95% CI 0.73-0.99). Living in homes with damp foundation, concrete slabs with overlying insulation, brick façade, low ventilation flow, and high moisture load are risk factors for asthma, rhinitis, and respiratory infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wang
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - K Engvall
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - G Smedje
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - H Nilsson
- Division of Building Service and Energy Systems, School of Architecture and the Built Environment, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - D Norbäck
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
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Wang YH, Wang YC, Wu PH, Hsu L, Wang CY, Jan CR, Su HH. A cross-sectional study into the correlation of common household risk factors and allergic rhinitis in Taiwan's tropical environment. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:134-140. [PMID: 28237477 DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To discuss the effect of lesser-known potential risk factors, such as bedroom showers, on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. METHOD A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed using both survey and fungal culturing in southern Taiwan. There were 998 participants enrolled in the survey, and 513 sets of fungal culture obtained. With score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) more than 7, the patient was defined to have allergic rhinitis. Risks of allergic rhinitis were calculated as odds ratios for various predicted risk factors by logistic regression. Correlation between predicted risk factors and fungal level were examined with linear regression. RESULTS The adjusted odds ratio of frequently using bedroom shower to having allergic rhinitis was 1.572 (95% confidence interval: 1.090-2.265), and 0.962 for people with older age to have AR (95% confidence interval: 0.949-0.976). As to the 24-hour fungal level, the standardized coefficient was 0.254 for frequent use of bedroom shower, and 0.106 for window open hours. CONCLUSIONS Use of bedroom shower is a potential risk factor for allergic rhinitis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hao Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Yu-Chieh Wang
- Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, NC 27109, USA
| | - Pi-Hsiung Wu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Lan Hsu
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | | | - Chung-Ren Jan
- Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
| | - Hsing-Hao Su
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
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Hou J, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wang P, Zhang Q, Kong X, Sundell J. Air Change Rates in Residential Buildings in Tianjin, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2017.10.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Choi H, Schmidbauer N, Bornehag CG. Volatile organic compounds of possible microbial origin and their risks on childhood asthma and allergies within damp homes. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2017; 98:143-151. [PMID: 27838117 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2016.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Risk of indoor exposure to volatile organic compounds of purported microbial origin on childhood symptoms of wheezing, rhinitis, and/or eczema, and doctor-diagnosed asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, respectively, remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To test hypotheses that total sum of 28 microbial volatile organic compounds (Σ26 MVOCs): 1) poses independent risk on doctor-diagnosed asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, respectively, as well as multiple symptom presentation with a minimum of the two of the above conditions (i.e. case); 2) is associated with significant interaction with absolute humidity (AH) on additive scale. METHODS In a case-control investigation, 198 cases and 202 controls were examined during November 2001 - March 2002 period through home indoor air sampling, air quality inspection, and health outcome ascertainment. RESULTS Not only the Σ28 MVOCs but also the global MVOC index were significantly higher within the homes of the cases with a high AH, compared to the controls with a low AH (all Ps<0.001). Only the cases, but not the controls, were associated with a dose-dependent increase in the exposure variables of interest (Σ28 MVOCs) per quartile increase in AH (P<0.0001 for the cases; P=0.780 for the controls). Only among the children who live in a high AH homes, a natural log (ln)-unit of Σ 28 MVOCs was associated with 2.5-times greater odds of the case status (95% CI, 1.0-6.2; P=0.046), compared to 0.7-times the odds (95% CI, 0.4-1.0; P=0.074) of the same outcome among the low AH homes. Specifically, joint exposure to a high MVOCs and high AH was associated with 2.6-times greater odds of the doctor-diagnosed asthma status (95% CI, 0.7-8.91; P=0.137). CONCLUSION Joint occurrence of high Σ28 MVOCs and AH was associated with a significant increase in the case status and asthma risks in an additive scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunok Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, State University of New York, United States.
| | - Norbert Schmidbauer
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, PO Box 100, 2027 Kjeller, Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway.
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Box 857, SE-501 15 Borås, Sweden; Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.
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Janson C, Lööf T, Telg G, Stratelis G, Nilsson F. Difference in resistance to humidity between commonly used dry powder inhalers: an in vitro study. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med 2016; 26:16053. [PMID: 27853177 PMCID: PMC5117852 DOI: 10.1038/npjpcrm.2016.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-dose dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are commonly used in asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) treatment. A disadvantage is their sensitivity to humidity. In real life, DPIs are periodically exposed to humid conditions, which may affect aerosol characteristics and lung deposition. This study compared DPI aerosol performance after exposure to humidity. Budesonide (BUD) inhalers (Turbuhaler; Novolizer; Easyhaler) and budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FORM) inhalers (Turbuhaler; Spiromax; Easyhaler) were stored in 75% relative humidity (RH) at both ambient temperature and at -0 °C. Delivered dose (DD) and fine-particle dose (FPD) were tested in vitro before and after storage. BUD inhalers: Turbuhaler and Novolizer showed only small decreases (<15%) in FPD in 40 °C/75% RH, whereas FPD for Easyhaler decreased by >60% (P=0.01) after 1.5 months of storage. Easyhaler also decreased significantly after 6 months of storage in ambient/75%RH by 25% and 54% for DD and FPD, respectively, whereas only small decreases were seen for Turbuhaler and Novolizer (<15%). BUD/FORM inhalers: Turbuhaler and Spiromax DD were unchanged in 40 °C/75% RH, whereas Easyhaler showed a small decrease. FPD (budesonide) decreased for Turbuhaler, Spiromax and Easyhaler by 18%, 10% and 68% (all significant), respectively, at 40 °C/75% RH. In ambient/75%RH, DD was unchanged for all inhalers, whereas FPD (budesonide) decreased for Spiromax (7%, P=0.02) and Easyhaler (34%, (P<0.01)). There are significant differences in device performance after exposure to humid conditions. A clinically relevant decrease of more than half FPD was seen for one of the inhalers, a decrease that may affect patients' clinical outcomes. Prescriber and patient knowledge on device attributes are essential to ensure optimal drug delivery to the lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Janson
- Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Georgios Stratelis
- Department of Medical Sciences: Respiratory, Allergy and Sleep Research, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.,AstraZeneca Nordic-Baltic, Södertälje, Sweden
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Huang C, Wang X, Liu W, Cai J, Shen L, Zou Z, Lu R, Chang J, Wei X, Sun C, Zhao Z, Sun Y, Sundell J. Household indoor air quality and its associations with childhood asthma in Shanghai, China: On-site inspected methods and preliminary results. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 151:154-167. [PMID: 27479712 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Few studies were conducted for associations of home environment with childhood health by on-site inspection in China. During 2013-2014, we conducted a case-control study with home inspection among 454 children (186 asthma children and 268 non-asthma children) in Shanghai, China. In this paper, we detailedly described the inspected methods and analyzed the preliminarily collected data. Except in winter, most residences meet the national standard for indoor temperature and relative humidity. Most living rooms had ≤1000ppm CO2, whereas over half of the child's bedrooms had slightly >1000ppm CO2 during night. Most residences had notably lower than 2500cfu/m3 airborne culturable fungi and ≤100μg/m3 formaldehyde. More than 70% of the child's bedrooms had ≤75μg/m3 PM2.5 and ≤150μg/m3 PM10. Indoor and outdoor concentrations of particulate matters had strong linear correlations (r=0.891-0.922; p-value <0.001). Most differences between cases and controls were not significant with respect to CO2, culturable fungi, formaldehyde, and particulate matters. Before and after adjusted for potential confounders, indoor averaged concentration of CO2 and particulate matters generally had negative associations with childhood history of doctor-diagnosed asthma in spring, summer, and autumn. Only in winter, indoor CO2 concentration was significantly associated with the increased odds of childhood asthma. Our results indicated that air quality among most residences in Shanghai could meet the national standard for indoor air quality in warm seasons; but household air quality and ventilation status in winter should be greatly improved. We suspected that those "unexpected" negative associations could exist due to changes in lifestyle behaviors regarding indoor air quality after the child being diagnosed asthma by a doctor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Huang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueying Wang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Liu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jiao Cai
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Li Shen
- R&B Technology (Shanghai) Company Limited, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhijun Zou
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongchun Lu
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Chang
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Thermal Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong Jiaotong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wei
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Chanjuan Sun
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhuohui Zhao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuexia Sun
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- School of Environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China; Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Kantor R, Silverberg JI. Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2016; 13:15-26. [PMID: 27417220 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2016.1212660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 191] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors. Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD. Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kantor
- a Department of Dermatology , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
| | - Jonathan I Silverberg
- b Departments of Dermatology, Preventive Medicine and Medical Social Sciences , Northwestern University , Chicago , IL , USA
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Choi H, Schmidbauer N, Bornehag CG. Non-microbial sources of microbial volatile organic compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2016; 148:127-136. [PMID: 27043176 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Revised: 02/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The question regarding the true sources of the purported microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) remains unanswered. OBJECTIVE To identify microbial, as well as non-microbial sources of 28 compounds, which are commonly accepted as microbial VOCs (i.e. primary outcome of interest is Σ 28 VOCs). METHODS In a cross-sectional investigation of 390 homes, six building inspectors assessed water/mold damage, took air and dust samples, and measured environmental conditions (i.e., absolute humidity (AH, g/m(3)), temperature (°C), ventilation rate (ACH)). The air sample was analyzed for volatile organic compounds (μg/m(3)) and; dust samples were analyzed for total viable fungal concentration (CFU/g) and six phthalates (mg/g dust). Four benchmark variables of the underlying sources were defined as highest quartile categories of: 1) the total concentration of 17 propylene glycol and propylene glycol ethers (Σ17 PGEs) in the air sample; 2) 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (TMPD-MIB) in the air sample; 3) semi-quantitative mold index; and 4) total fungal load (CFU/g). RESULTS Within severely damp homes, co-occurrence of the highest quartile concentration of either Σ17 PGEs or TMPD-MIB were respectively associated with a significantly higher median concentration of Σ 28 VOCs (8.05 and 13.38μg/m(3), respectively) compared to the reference homes (4.30 and 4.86μg/m(3), respectively, both Ps ≤0.002). Furthermore, the homes within the highest quartile range for Σ fungal load as well as AH were associated with a significantly increased median Σ 28 VOCs compared to the reference group (8.74 vs. 4.32μg/m(3), P=0.001). Within the final model of multiple indoor sources on Σ 28 VOCs, one natural log-unit increase in summed concentration of Σ17 PGEs, plus TMPD-MIB (Σ 17 PGEs + TMPD-MIB) was associated with 1.8-times (95% CI, 1.3-2.5), greater likelihood of having a highest quartile of Σ 28 VOCs, after adjusting for absolute humidity, history of repainting at least one room, ventilation rate, and mold index (P-value =0.001). Homes deemed severely mold damaged (i.e., mold index =1) were associated with 1.7-times (95% CI, 0.8-3.6), greater likelihood of having a highest quartile of Σ 28 VOCs, even though such likelihood was not significant (P-value =0.164). In addition, absolute humidity appeared to positively interact with mold index to significantly elevate the prevalence of the highest quartile category of Σ 28 VOCs. CONCLUSION The indoor concentration of Σ 28 VOCs, which are widely accepted as MVOCs, are significantly associated with the markers of synthetic (i.e. Σ17 PGEs and TMPD-MIB), and to less extent, microbial (i.e., mold index) sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunok Choi
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, State University of New York, United States.
| | - Norbert Schmidbauer
- Norwegian Institute for Air Research, PO Box 100, 2027 Kjeller, Norway, Instituttveien 18, 2007 Kjeller, Norway.
| | - Carl-Gustaf Bornehag
- Technical Research Institute of Sweden, Box 857, SE-501 15 Borås, Sweden; Department of Public Health Sciences, Karlstad University, SE-651 88 Karlstad, Sweden.
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Allen JG, MacNaughton P, Satish U, Santanam S, Vallarino J, Spengler JD. Associations of Cognitive Function Scores with Carbon Dioxide, Ventilation, and Volatile Organic Compound Exposures in Office Workers: A Controlled Exposure Study of Green and Conventional Office Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:805-12. [PMID: 26502459 PMCID: PMC4892924 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1510037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 10/12/2015] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The indoor built environment plays a critical role in our overall well-being because of both the amount of time we spend indoors (~90%) and the ability of buildings to positively or negatively influence our health. The advent of sustainable design or green building strategies reinvigorated questions regarding the specific factors in buildings that lead to optimized conditions for health and productivity. OBJECTIVE We simulated indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions in "Green" and "Conventional" buildings and evaluated the impacts on an objective measure of human performance: higher-order cognitive function. METHODS Twenty-four participants spent 6 full work days (0900-1700 hours) in an environmentally controlled office space, blinded to test conditions. On different days, they were exposed to IEQ conditions representative of Conventional [high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)] and Green (low concentrations of VOCs) office buildings in the United States. Additional conditions simulated a Green building with a high outdoor air ventilation rate (labeled Green+) and artificially elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels independent of ventilation. RESULTS On average, cognitive scores were 61% higher on the Green building day and 101% higher on the two Green+ building days than on the Conventional building day (p < 0.0001). VOCs and CO2 were independently associated with cognitive scores. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive function scores were significantly better under Green+ building conditions than in the Conventional building conditions for all nine functional domains. These findings have wide-ranging implications because this study was designed to reflect conditions that are commonly encountered every day in many indoor environments. CITATION Allen JG, MacNaughton P, Satish U, Santanam S, Vallarino J, Spengler JD. 2016. Associations of cognitive function scores with carbon dioxide, ventilation, and volatile organic compound exposures in office workers: a controlled exposure study of green and conventional office environments. Environ Health Perspect 124:805-812; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510037.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G. Allen
- Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Piers MacNaughton
- Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Usha Satish
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, SUNY-Upstate Medical School, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Suresh Santanam
- Industrial Assessment Center, Center of Excellence, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jose Vallarino
- Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - John D. Spengler
- Exposure, Epidemiology, and Risk Program, Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Qian H, Zheng X, Zhang M, Weschler L, Sundell J. Associations between Parents' Perceived Air Quality in Homes and Health among Children in Nanjing, China. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155742. [PMID: 27191186 PMCID: PMC4871534 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases in Chinese children has focused attention on indoor environmental quality. We investigated associations between perceived air quality in domestic environments and children’s allergic diseases with a questionnaire survey study. A total of 4017 children aged 1–8 years old from 23 kindergartens in urban, suburban and industrial areas in Nanjing were randomly recruited for this study. Parents’ perceived odors, including stuffy odor, unpleasant odor, pungent odor, moldy odor, humid air and dry air were found to be associated with asthma, wheeze, dry cough and rhinitis (P < 0.05). Both perceived dry and humid air were found to be positively associated with dampness indices, and we present evidence that the sensation of dryness may not be due to the actual indoor relative humidity, but rather to indoor air irritants. Parents’ perception of odors and relative humidity may be indicators of environment pollutants, which are likely the real factors associated with children’s allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Louise Weschler
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jan Sundell
- Department of Building Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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Kolarik B, Andersen ZJ, Ibfelt T, Engelund EH, Møller E, Bräuner EV. Ventilation in day care centers and sick leave among nursery children. INDOOR AIR 2016; 26:157-167. [PMID: 25789698 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/15/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Several studies have reported poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in day care centers (DCCs), and other studies have shown that children attending them have an increased risk of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between ventilation in DCCs and sick leave among nursery children. Data on child sick leave within an 11-week period were obtained for 635 children attending 20 DCCs. Ventilation measurements included three proxies of ventilation: air exchange rate (ACR) measured with the decay method, ACR measured by the perfluorocarbon tracer gas (PFT) method, and CO2 concentration measured over a 1-week period. All but two DCCs had balanced mechanical ventilation system, which could explain the low CO2 levels measured. The mean concentration of CO2 was 643 ppm, exceeding 1000 ppm in only one DCC. A statistically significant inverse relationship between the number of sick days and ACR measured with the decay method was found for crude and adjusted analysis, with a 12% decrease in number of sick days per hour increase in ACR measured with the decay method. This study suggests a relationship between sick leave among nursery children and ventilation in DCCs, as measured with the decay method.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kolarik
- Department of Construction and Health, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Z Jovanovic Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Center for Epidemiology and Screening, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - T Ibfelt
- Departments of Infection Control and Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - E Møller
- Department of Construction and Health, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Vaclavik Bräuner
- Department of Construction and Health, Danish Building Research Institute, Aalborg University, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Cao Y, Liu J, Liu Y, Wang J, Hao X. An integrated exposure assessment of phthalates for the general population in China based on both exposure scenario and biomonitoring estimation approaches. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2016; 74:34-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2015.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2015] [Revised: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Lajoie P, Aubin D, Gingras V, Daigneault P, Ducharme F, Gauvin D, Fugler D, Leclerc JM, Won D, Courteau M, Gingras S, Héroux MÈ, Yang W, Schleibinger H. The IVAIRE project--a randomized controlled study of the impact of ventilation on indoor air quality and the respiratory symptoms of asthmatic children in single family homes. INDOOR AIR 2015; 25:582-597. [PMID: 25603837 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED A randomized controlled trial was carried out to measure the impact of an intervention on ventilation, indoor air contaminants, and asthma symptoms of children. Eighty-three asthmatic children living in low-ventilated homes were followed over 2 years. Several environmental parameters were measured during the summer, fall, and winter. The children were randomized after Year 1 (43 Intervention; 40 Control). The intervention included the installation of either a Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV). During the fall and winter seasons, there was a significant increase in the mean ventilation rate in the homes of the intervention group. A statistically significant reduction in mean formaldehyde, airborne mold spores, toluene, styrene, limonene, and α-pinene concentrations was observed in the intervention group. There was no significant group difference in change in the number of days with symptoms per 14 days. However, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of children who experienced any wheezing (≥1 episode) and those with ≥4 episodes in the 12-month period in the intervention group. This study indicates that improved ventilation reduces air contaminants and may prevent wheezing. Due to lack of power, a bigger study is needed. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Positive findings from this study include the fact that, upon recruitment, most of the single family homes with asthmatic children were already equipped with a mechanical ventilation system and had relatively good indoor air quality. However, the 8-h indoor guideline for formaldehyde (50 μg/m3) was frequently exceeded and the ventilation rates were low in most of the homes, even those with a ventilation system. Both ERVs and HRVs were equally effective at increasing air exchange rates above 0.30 ACH and at preventing formaldehyde concentrations from exceeding the 50 μg/m3 guideline during the fall and winter seasons. Furthermore, the ERVs were effective at preventing excessively low relative humidities in the homes. Based on observed difference of risk, intervention to increase ventilation in five sample homes and children would prevent 1 home to exceed the indoor air long-term formaldehyde guideline and prevent 1 asthmatic child experiencing at least one episode of wheezing over a year.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lajoie
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - D Aubin
- NRC Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - V Gingras
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - P Daigneault
- Department of Pediatrics, Mother Child Centre, Québec University Hospital Centre (CHUQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - F Ducharme
- Department of Pediatrics and of Social and Preventive Medicine, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - D Gauvin
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - D Fugler
- Formerly with Policy and Research, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - J-M Leclerc
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - D Won
- NRC Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - M Courteau
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - S Gingras
- Environmental Health and Toxicology Division, Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - M-È Héroux
- Health Canada, Air Health Effects Division, current affiliation with World Health Organization, European Centre for Environment and Health, Bonn, Germany
| | - W Yang
- NRC Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - H Schleibinger
- NRC Construction, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Sharpe RA, Thornton CR, Nikolaou V, Osborne NJ. Fuel poverty increases risk of mould contamination, regardless of adult risk perception & ventilation in social housing properties. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 79:115-129. [PMID: 25829024 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2015.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fuel poverty affects 2.4 million UK homes leading to poor hygrothermal conditions and risk of mould and house dust mite contaminations, which in turn increases risk of asthma exacerbation. For the first time we assess how fuel poverty, occupants' risk perception and use of mechanical ventilation mediate the risk of mould contamination in social housing. METHODS Postal questionnaires were sent to 3867 social housing properties to collect adult risk perception, and demographic and environmental information on occupants. Participant details were linked to data pertaining to the individual properties. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals while allowing for clustering of individuals coming from the same housing estate. We used Structured Equation Modelling and Goodness of Fit analysis in mediation analyses to examine the role of fuel poverty, risk perception, use of ventilation and energy efficiency. RESULTS Eighteen percent of our target social housing populations (671 households) were included into our study. High risk perception (score of 8-10) was associated with reduced risk of mould contamination in the bedrooms of children (OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.9) and adults (OR 0.4 95% CI; 0.3-0.7). High risk perception of living with inadequate heating and ventilation reduced the risk of mould contamination (OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.8 and OR 0.5 95% CI; 0.3-0.7, respectively). Participants living with inadequate heating and not heating due to the cost of fuel had an increased risk of mould contamination (OR 3.4 95% CI; 2.0-5.8 and OR 2.2 95% CI; 1.5-3.2, respectively). Increased risk perception and use of extractor fans did not mediate the association between fuel poverty behaviours and increased risk of mould contamination. DISCUSSION Fuel poverty behaviours increased the risk of mould contamination, which corresponds with existing literature. For the first time we used mediation analysis to assess how this association maybe modified by occupant behaviours. Increased risk perception and use of extractor fans did not modify the association between fuel poverty and mould contamination. This suggests that fuel poor populations may not benefit from energy efficiency interventions due to ineffective heating and ventilation practices of those occupants residing participating households. Our findings may be modified by a complex interaction between occupant behaviours and the built environment. We found that participant age, occupancy, SES, pets, drying washing indoors, geographic location, architectural design/age of the property, levels of insulation and type of heating regulated risk of mould contamination. CONCLUSION Fuel poverty behaviours affected around a third of participating households and represent a risk factor for increased exposures to damp and mouldy conditions, regardless of adult risk perception, heating and ventilation practices. This requires multidisciplinary approach to assess the complex interaction between occupant behaviours, risk perception, the built environment and the effective use of heating and ventilation practices. STUDY IMPLICATIONS Our findings have implications for housing policies and future housing interventions. Effective communication strategies focusing on awareness and perception of risk may help address indoor air quality issues. This must be supported by improved household energy efficiency with the provision of more effective heating and ventilation strategies, specifically to help alleviate those suffering from fuel poverty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Sharpe
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher R Thornton
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Nikolaou
- University of Exeter Medical School, The Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Osborne
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia.
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Hamilton I, Milner J, Chalabi Z, Das P, Jones B, Shrubsole C, Davies M, Wilkinson P. Health effects of home energy efficiency interventions in England: a modelling study. BMJ Open 2015; 5:e007298. [PMID: 25916488 PMCID: PMC4420956 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2014-007298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess potential public health impacts of changes to indoor air quality and temperature due to energy efficiency retrofits in English dwellings to meet 2030 carbon reduction targets. DESIGN Health impact modelling study. SETTING England. PARTICIPANTS English household population. INTERVENTION Three retrofit scenarios were modelled: (1) fabric and ventilation retrofits installed assuming building regulations are met; (2) as with scenario (1) but with additional ventilation for homes at risk of poor ventilation; (3) as with scenario (1) but with no additional ventilation to illustrate the potential risk of weak regulations and non-compliance. MAIN OUTCOME Primary outcomes were changes in quality adjusted life years (QALYs) over 50 years from cardiorespiratory diseases, lung cancer, asthma and common mental disorders due to changes in indoor air pollutants, including secondhand tobacco smoke, PM2.5 from indoor and outdoor sources, radon, mould, and indoor winter temperatures. RESULTS The modelling study estimates showed that scenario (1) resulted in positive effects on net mortality and morbidity of 2241 (95% credible intervals (CI) 2085 to 2397) QALYs per 10,000 persons over 50 years follow-up due to improved temperatures and reduced exposure to indoor pollutants, despite an increase in exposure to outdoor-generated particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM₂.₅). Scenario (2) resulted in a negative impact of -728 (95% CI -864 to -592) QALYs per 10,000 persons over 50 years due to an overall increase in indoor pollutant exposures. Scenario (3) resulted in -539 (95% CI -678 to -399) QALYs per 10,000 persons over 50 years follow-up due to an increase in indoor exposures despite the targeting of pollutants. CONCLUSIONS If properly implemented alongside ventilation, energy efficiency retrofits in housing can improve health by reducing exposure to cold and air pollutants. Maximising the health benefits requires careful understanding of the balance of changes in pollutant exposures, highlighting the importance of ventilation to mitigate the risk of poor indoor air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Hamilton
- UCL Energy Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - James Milner
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Zaid Chalabi
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Payel Das
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Benjamin Jones
- Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Clive Shrubsole
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Mike Davies
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Paul Wilkinson
- Department of Social & Environmental Health Research, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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Sharpe RA, Thornton CR, Nikolaou V, Osborne NJ. Higher energy efficient homes are associated with increased risk of doctor diagnosed asthma in a UK subpopulation. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2015; 75:234-244. [PMID: 25498485 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2014] [Revised: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The United Kingdom (UK) has one of the highest prevalence of asthma in the world, which represents a significant economic and societal burden. Reduced ventilation resulting from increased energy efficiency measures acts as a modifier for mould contamination and risk of allergic diseases. To our knowledge no previous study has combined detailed asset management property and health data together to assess the impact of household energy efficiency (using the UK Government's Standard Assessment Procedure) on asthma outcomes in an adult population residing in social housing. METHODS Postal questionnaires were sent to 3867 social housing properties to collect demographic, health and environmental information on all occupants. Detailed property data, residency periods, indices of multiple deprivation (IMD) and household energy efficiency ratings were also investigated. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and confidence intervals while allowing for clustering of individuals coming from the same location. RESULTS Eighteen percent of our target social housing population were recruited into our study. Adults had a mean age of 59 (SD±17.3) years and there was a higher percentage of female (59%) and single occupancy (58%) respondents. Housing demographic characteristics were representative of the target homes. A unit increase in household Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating was associated with a 2% increased risk of current asthma, with the greatest risk in homes with SAP >71. We assessed exposure to mould and found that the presence of a mouldy/musty odour was associated with a two-fold increased risk of asthma (OR 2.2 95%; CI 1.3-3.8). A unit increase in SAP led to a 4-5% reduction in the risk of visible mould growth and a mouldy/musty odour. DISCUSSION In contrast to previous research, we report that residing in energy efficient homes may increase the risk of adult asthma. We report that mould contamination increased the risk of asthma, which is in agreement with existing knowledge. Exposure to mould contamination could not fully explain the association between increased energy efficiency and asthma. Our findings may be explained by increased energy efficiency combined with the provision of inadequate heating, ventilation, and increased concentrations of other biological, chemical and physical contaminants. This is likely to be modified by a complex interaction between occupant behaviours and changes to the built environment. Our findings may also be confounded by our response rate, demographic and behavioural differences between those residing in low versus high energy efficient homes, and use of self-reported exposures and outcomes. CONCLUSION Energy efficiency may increase the risk of current adult asthma in a population residing in social housing. This association was not significantly modified by the presence of visible mould growth, although further research is needed to investigate the interaction between other demographic and housing characteristic risk factors, especially the impact of fuel poverty on indoor exposures and health outcomes. STUDY IMPLICATIONS A multidisciplinary approach is required to assess the interaction between energy efficiency measures and fuel poverty behaviours on health outcomes prior to the delivery of physical interventions aimed at improving the built environment. Policy incentives are required to address fuel poverty issues alongside measures to achieve SAP ratings of 71 or greater, which must be delivered with the provision of adequate heating and ventilation strategies to minimise indoor dampness. Changes in the built environment without changes in behaviour of domicile residents may lead to negative health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard A Sharpe
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD United Kingdom
| | - Christopher R Thornton
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Vasilis Nikolaou
- University of Exeter Medical School, The Veysey Building, Salmon Pool Lane, Exeter EX2 4SG, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J Osborne
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD United Kingdom; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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Associations between Natural Ventilation for the Child's Bedroom during Night and Childhood Asthma in Shanghai, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.1098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Sun Y, Wang P, Zhang Q, Ma H, Hou J, Kong X. Indoor Air Pollution and Human Perception in Public Buildings in Tianjin, China. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proeng.2015.08.1032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Sharpe R, Thornton CR, Osborne NJ. Modifiable factors governing indoor fungal diversity and risk of asthma. Clin Exp Allergy 2014; 44:631-41. [PMID: 24471926 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to dampness and fungi in the home is a known risk factor for individuals with allergic asthma. Inadequate heating and ventilation may lead to dampness and concomitant increased exposure to spores of allergenic fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi have been cultured from sputum of asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, and implicated in the initiation or exacerbation of asthma. Indoor environmental factors influence the presence and concentrations of fungal propagules and, in turn, risk of asthma outcomes. This review aims to identify modifiable risk factors in the built environment that have been shown to influence fungal composition indoors, and to examine this association with the risk of asthma development and/or exacerbation. A complex interaction between residential characteristics, the built environment and the behaviour of people regulate the diversity and concentrations of indoor fungi. Modifiable factors include build age, architectural design, level of maintenance, variations in construction materials, presence of pets, heating and ventilation patterns. Risk of fungal contamination and asthma outcomes are also influenced by low occupant awareness concerning potential health effects and socio-economic factors. Addressing these factors provides an opportunity to improve future housing interventions, though it is not clear how the built environment and occupant behaviours interact to modify the diversity of indoor fungi and resultant risk of asthma. A combination of housing improvements combined with awareness programmes and the alleviation of fuel poverty can be used to lower the allergen burden associated with damp homes. Further research is needed to identify factors that regulate the concentration and diversity of indoor fungi and how this may act as a modifier for asthma outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sharpe
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, UK
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Qi MW, Li XF, Weschler LB, Sundell J. CO2 generation rate in Chinese people. INDOOR AIR 2014; 24:559-566. [PMID: 24654944 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) metabolically produced by humans has been widely used as a tracer gas for determining ventilation rates in occupied rooms. Among other necessities, the method requires good estimates of human CO2 generation rates. An empirically derived equation is widely used to calculate the CO2 generation rate. However, there are indications that this equation is not valid for young Chinese people. In this study, we measured the CO2 generation rate of 44 young Chinese people at two typical activity levels, quiet sitting and relaxed standing. We found that the commonly used empirical equation overpredicted CO2 generation rates, but could be corrected with a factor of 0.75 for Chinese females and of 0.85 for Chinese males. The variance for measured CO2 sitting was much smaller than for standing, and hence, we concluded that sitting yields more precise CO2 generation estimates. The relative contributions of sex, height, weight, and metabolic rate were analyzed. We concluded that the error in estimating metabolic rate is responsible for most of the difference in measured generation of CO2 from the empirical equation's predictions. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The tracer gas method using CO2 generated by people is widely used to calculate ventilation rate. However, the empirically derived equation that is normally used to estimate CO2 generation rate is not suitable for young Chinese people at rest. To estimate the CO2 generation rate in Chinese people under low-activity conditions, the empirical equation should be multiplied by correction factors of 0.75 and 0.85 for females and males, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- M W Qi
- Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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