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Murphy J, Tharumakunarajah R, Holden KA, King C, Lee AR, Rose K, Hawcutt DB, Sinha IP. Impact of indoor environment on children's pulmonary health. Expert Rev Respir Med 2023; 17:1249-1259. [PMID: 38240133 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2024.2307561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A child's living environment has a significant impact on their respiratory health, with exposure to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) contributing to potentially lifelong respiratory morbidity. These effects occur throughout childhood, from the antenatal period through to adolescence. Children are particularly susceptible to the effects of environmental insults, and children living in socioeconomic deprivation globally are more likely to breathe air both indoors and outdoors, which poses an acute and long-term risk to their health. Adult respiratory health is, at least in part, determined by exposures and respiratory system development in childhood, starting in utero. AREAS COVERED This narrative review will discuss, from a global perspective, what contributes to poor IAQ in the child's home and school environment and the impact that indoor air pollution exposure has on respiratory health throughout the different stages of childhood. EXPERT OPINION All children have the right to a living and educational environment without the threat of pollution affecting their health. Action is needed at multiple levels to address this pressing issue to improve lifelong respiratory health. Such action should incorporate a child's rights-based approach, empowering children, and their families, to have access to clean air to breathe in their living environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared Murphy
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Karl A Holden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Lab to Life Child Health Data Centre, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Charlotte King
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Alice R Lee
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Lab to Life Child Health Data Centre, Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Katie Rose
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Daniel B Hawcutt
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- NIHR Alder Hey Clinical Research Facility, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ian P Sinha
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
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2
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Isley CF, Fry KL, Liu X, Filippelli GM, Entwistle JA, Martin AP, Kah M, Meza-Figueroa D, Shukle JT, Jabeen K, Famuyiwa AO, Wu L, Sharifi-Soltani N, Doyi INY, Argyraki A, Ho KF, Dong C, Gunkel-Grillon P, Aelion CM, Taylor MP. International Analysis of Sources and Human Health Risk Associated with Trace Metal Contaminants in Residential Indoor Dust. Environ Sci Technol 2022; 56:1053-1068. [PMID: 34942073 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c04494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
People spend increasing amounts of time at home, yet the indoor home environment remains understudied in terms of potential exposure to toxic trace metals. We evaluated trace metal (and metalloid) concentrations (As, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and health risks in indoor dust from homes from 35 countries, along with a suite of potentially contributory residential characteristics. The objective was to determine trace metal source inputs and home environment conditions associated with increasing exposure risk across a range of international communities. For all countries, enrichments compared to global crustal values were Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cr > Ni; with the greatest health risk from Cr, followed by As > Pb > Mn > Cu > Ni > Zn. Three main indoor dust sources were identified, with a Pb-Zn-As factor related to legacy Pb sources, a Zn-Cu factor reflecting building materials, and a Mn factor indicative of natural soil sources. Increasing home age was associated with greater Pb and As concentrations (5.0 and 0.48 mg/kg per year of home age, respectively), as were peeling paint and garden access. Therefore, these factors form important considerations for the development of evidence-based management strategies to reduce potential risks posed by indoor house dust. Recent findings indicate neurocognitive effects from low concentrations of metal exposures; hence, an understanding of the home exposome is vital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Faye Isley
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Kara L Fry
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Xiaochi Liu
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Gabriel Michael Filippelli
- Department of Earth Sciences and Center for Urban Health, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Jane A Entwistle
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K
| | | | - Melanie Kah
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | | | - John T Shukle
- Department of Earth Sciences and Center for Urban Health, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States
| | - Khadija Jabeen
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE1 8ST, U.K
| | - Abimbola O Famuyiwa
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State P.M.B 2210, Nigeria
| | - Liqin Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, Guangdong, China
| | - Neda Sharifi-Soltani
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Israel N Y Doyi
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Ariadne Argyraki
- Department of Geology and Geoenvironment National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis Zographou, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Kin Fai Ho
- Institute of Environment, Energy, and Sustainability, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Chenyin Dong
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Peggy Gunkel-Grillon
- Institute of Exact and Applied Sciences (ISEA), University of New Caledonia, BPR4, 98851 Nouméa cedex, New Caledonia, France
| | - C Marjorie Aelion
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Mark Patrick Taylor
- Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
- Environment Protection Authority, Centre for Applied Sciences, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Melbourne, Victoria 3085, Australia
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3
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van Hoof J, Rusinovic KM, Tavy ZKCT, van den Hoven RFM, Dikken J, van der Pas S, Kruize H, de Bruin SR, van Bochove ME. The Participation of Older People in the Concept and Design Phases of Housing in The Netherlands: A Theoretical Overview. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:301. [PMID: 33803100 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9030301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Netherlands, there is a growing need for collective housing for older people to bridge the gap between ageing-in-place and institutional care facilities. Participation of older people in the concept and design phases is important to tune the market supply to the needs of (future) residents, yet social entrepreneurs find it challenging to involve older people. This commentary explores various ways older people can participate in the development of new housing initiatives. The ladder of citizen participation is applied to explore different roles that (future) residents could play with levels of influence varying from non-participation to citizen power. Considerations for meaningful participation are discussed, in order to show how collaborations can be formed between (future) residents and decision makers.
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Rusinovic KM, van Bochove ME, Koops-Boelaars S, Tavy ZK, van Hoof J. Towards Responsible Rebellion: How Founders Deal with Challenges in Establishing and Governing Innovative Living Arrangements for Older People. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:E6235. [PMID: 32867252 PMCID: PMC7503804 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the Netherlands, there is an increasing need for collective forms of housing for older people. Such housing bridges the gap between the extremes of living in an institutionalised setting and remaining in their own house. The demand is related to the closure of many residential care homes and the need for social engagement with other residents. This study focuses on housing initiatives that offer innovative and alternative forms of independent living, which deviate from mainstream housing arrangements. It draws on recent literature on healthcare 'rebels' and further develops the concept of 'rebellion' in the context of housing. The main research question is how founders dealt with challenges of establishing and governing 'rebellious' innovative living arrangements for older people in the highly regulated context of housing and care in the Netherlands. Qualitative in-depth interviews with 17 founders (social entrepreneurs, directors and supervisory board members) were conducted. Founders encountered various obstacles that are often related to governmental and sectoral rules and regulations. Their stories demonstrate the opportunities and constraints of innovative entrepreneurship at the intersection of housing and care. The study concludes with the notion of 'responsible rebellion' and practical lessons about dealing with rules and regulations and creating supportive contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja M. Rusinovic
- Urban Social Development, Faculty of Public Management, Law & Safety, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne E. van Bochove
- Department of Health Care Governance, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.E.v.B.); (S.K.-B.)
| | - Suzanna Koops-Boelaars
- Department of Health Care Governance, Erasmus School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3000 DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (M.E.v.B.); (S.K.-B.)
| | - Zsuzsu K.C.T. Tavy
- Faculty of Health, Nutrition & Sport, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands;
| | - Joost van Hoof
- Faculty of Social Work & Education, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands;
- Institute of Spatial Management, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland
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5
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Zhou YH, Mak YW, Ho GWK. Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Exposure to Parental Secondhand Smoke at Home among Children in China: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16010107. [PMID: 30609776 PMCID: PMC6339015 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16010107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 12/23/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
There are health consequences to exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). About two-thirds of children in China live with at least one person, usually a parent, who smokes at home. However, none of the reviews of interventions for reducing SHS have targeted children in China. The purpose of this study was to review the effectiveness of interventions for reducing parental SHS exposure at home among children in China. We searched various electronic databases for English and Chinese publications appearing between 1997 and 2017. Thirteen relevant studies were identified. Common strategies used in intervention groups were non-pharmacological approaches such as counseling plus self-help materials, and attempting to persuade fathers to quit smoking. Family interactions and follow-up sessions providing counseling or using text messages could be helpful to successful quitting. Several encouraging results were observed, including lower cotinine levels in children (n = 2), reduced tobacco consumption (n = 5), and increased quit rates (n = 6) among parents. However, the positive effects were not sustained 3~6 months after the interventions. Self-reported quitting without bio-chemical validation was the most common outcome measure. A study design using biochemical validations, a longer follow-up period, and targeting all people living with children in the same household is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Hua Zhou
- School of Nursing, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310051, China.
| | - Yim Wah Mak
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China.
| | - Grace W K Ho
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China.
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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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7
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Emerson JB, Keady PB, Clements N, Morgan EE, Awerbuch J, Miller SL, Fierer N. High temporal variability in airborne bacterial diversity and abundance inside single-family residences. Indoor Air 2017; 27:576-586. [PMID: 27743387 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Our homes are microbial habitats, and although the amounts and types of bacteria in indoor air have been shown to vary substantially across residences, temporal variability within homes has rarely been characterized. Here, we sought to quantify the temporal variability in the amounts and types of airborne bacteria in homes, and what factors drive this variability. We collected filter samples of indoor and outdoor air in 15 homes over 1 year (approximately eight time points per home, two per season), and we used culture-independent DNA sequencing approaches to characterize bacterial community composition. Significant differences in indoor air community composition were observed both between homes and within each home over time. Indoor and outdoor air community compositions were not significantly correlated, suggesting that indoor and outdoor air communities are decoupled. Indoor air communities from the same home were often just as different at adjacent time points as they were across larger temporal distances, and temporal variation correlated with changes in environmental conditions, including temperature and relative humidity. Although all homes had highly variable indoor air communities, homes with the most temporally variable communities had more stable, lower average microbial loads than homes with less variable communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J B Emerson
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P B Keady
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - N Clements
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - E E Morgan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - J Awerbuch
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - S L Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - N Fierer
- Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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8
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Clarke D, Dix E, Liddy S, Gormally M, Byrne M. The influence of household pets on the composition and quantity of allergenic mite fauna within Irish homes: a preliminary investigation. Med Vet Entomol 2016; 30:21-30. [PMID: 26575784 DOI: 10.1111/mve.12147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2015] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Allergenic mites are responsible for inducing hypersensitive reactions in genetically predisposed people worldwide. Mites in dust from 30 Irish homes with pets (dogs, n = 23; cats, n = 7) were compared with those in 30 homes without pets. House dust mites constituted 78% of all mites recorded, with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acariformes: Pyroglyphidae) representing 57-72% of mites in furniture and mattresses in both home types compared with only 22% of mites in pet beds. Although storage mites accounted for just 13% of all mites recorded, they represented 46% of mites recorded in pet beds. Median levels of the dust mite allergen Der p 1 (µg/g) in dust samples from mattresses in homes without pets were significantly greater than in mattresses from homes with pets, reflecting the greater densities of D. pteronyssinus found in the former home category. Mite species richness was greater in homes with pets (17 species) than in homes without pets (13 species). This suggests that although the presence of pets can result in a wider variety of epidemiologically important mite species within households, increased competition among mite species may result in a more balanced mite fauna in the home, inhibiting the dominance of any one species and hence lowering allergen-associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Clarke
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- School of Physics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Martin Ryan Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - E Dix
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Martin Ryan Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - S Liddy
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Martin Ryan Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - M Gormally
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Ryan Institute, Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, Martin Ryan Building, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - M Byrne
- Applied Ecology Unit, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- School of Physics, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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9
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Fazaeli S, Yousefi M, Banikazemi SH, Ghazizadeh Hashemi SAH, Khorsand A, Badiee S. Importance of customer adjustment regions in the non-clinical property of thought: A home examination in low and high-income areas of Mashhad. J Med Life 2015; 8:107-112. [PMID: 28316675 PMCID: PMC5348963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Responsiveness was proposed via WHO as a fundamental sign to evaluate the enforcement of wellness practices and evaluates with a standard organization of fields that are classified to 2 principal classes "Respect as characters" and "customer adjustment". The current research included the value of customer adjustment areas in low and high-income communities of Mashhad. In the current descriptive research, an example of 923 families was chosen stochastically of 2 low and high pay areas of Mashhad. WHO survey employed for information gathering. Regular rate reviews and Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) applied for information investigation. In overall, respondents chose basic amenities quality as the primary area, and the path to social care networks recognized as the wicked primary area. Families in high-income states obtained higher areas of immediate notations and selection associated with low-income. There is a meaningful correlation among parameters of ages, having a part whom required care and self-imposed health via the ranking of customer adjustment areas. The investigation of the homes' viewpoint concerning the classification of non-clinical perspectives of care quality, particularly while confronted by restricted sources, can assist in managing enterprises towards topics that are more relevant and results in the development of the wellness policy achievement and fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Fazaeli
- Department of Medical Records and Health Information Technology,
School of Paramedical Sciences, Mashhad, University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,
| | - M Yousefi
- Department of Health Economics and Management Sciences, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, ,Health Strategic Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,
| | - SH Banikazemi
- Health Strategic Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,
| | - SAH Ghazizadeh Hashemi
- Health Strategic Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran,
| | - A Khorsand
- Department of Complementary and Chines Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sh Badiee
- Department of Complementary and Chines Medicine, School of Persian and Complementary Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Tamimi AH, Carlino S, Edmonds S, Gerba CP. Impact of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer intervention on the spread of viruses in homes. Food Environ Virol 2014; 6:140-4. [PMID: 24728950 PMCID: PMC4032461 DOI: 10.1007/s12560-014-9141-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to determine the movement of a virus throughout a household and the impact of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) on reducing the movement and exposure of the virus to household members. Bacterial virus MS-2 was used as the surrogate for human enteric and respiratory viruses. Seven households with families having at least two children in the age range of 2-18 living in the home were used in this study. The hands of one adult family member were contaminated with 1 × 10(8). MS-2 bacteriophage in each home. After 8 h, the hands of each family member (10 fingers) and 20 frequently touched fomites were sampled to determine baseline contamination without intervention. Within 8 h, MS-2 was detected on all of the family member's hands and most of the fomites. The intervention consisted of providing the families in all selected homes with bottles of an ABHS, which were placed in the kitchen, bathrooms, and nurseries. Smaller individual bottles were provided for each family member greater than 12 years old to place in purses, pockets, backpacks, etc. The families were instructed to use the ABHS one time or three times during the day. For one and three uses, a statistically significant reduction of virus on un-inoculated and inoculated hands of ~99% occurred within 8 h. Similar reductions occurred on fomites throughout the households (97-99%). These results demonstrate that the use of an ABHS can significantly reduce transfer of a virus to the hands, and to the commonly touched surfaces within the household.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akrum H. Tamimi
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | - Sheri Carlino
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
| | | | - Charles P. Gerba
- Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 USA
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11
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Ownby DR, Peterson EL, Wegienka G, Woodcroft KJ, Nicholas C, Zoratti E, Johnson CC. Are cats and dogs the major source of endotoxin in homes? Indoor Air 2013; 23:219-226. [PMID: 23167871 PMCID: PMC4005287 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 11/13/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Previous studies have suggested that exposure to cats and dogs during early childhood reduces the risk of allergic disease, possibly by increasing home endotoxin exposure. This study asked the question of whether cats and dogs are the dominant influence on dust endotoxin concentrations in homes after considering other variables reportedly associated with endotoxin. The presence of cats or dogs in homes, household and home characteristics, and dust endotoxin concentrations from 5 locations were assessed in 966 urban and suburban homes. Whether considered together as pets or as cats and dogs separately, the presence of cats and dogs significantly contributed to living room and bedroom floor endotoxin concentrations, but not to bed endotoxin concentrations. However, the two variables consistently related to endotoxin in all home sites were the home occupant density (occupants/room) and cleanliness of the home. Our data suggest that reducing occupant density and improving home cleanliness would reduce home endotoxin concentrations more than removing pet cats or dogs from the home. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Many studies have shown that early childhood exposure to indoor cats or dogs is associated with a reduced risk of later allergic disease and asthma. An important question is whether alteration in allergic risk associated with cat and dog exposure results from increased endotoxin exposure or from some other associated exposure. Our findings show that cats and dogs are not the dominant source of endotoxin in homes; rather, the density of human occupation and poor cleaning contribute more consistently to higher home endotoxin concentrations especially in the beds.
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Affiliation(s)
- D R Ownby
- Division of Allergy, Immunology, Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912-3790, USA.
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12
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Awad AHA, Gibbs SG, Tarwater PM, Green CF. Coarse and fine culturable fungal air concentrations in urban and rural homes in Egypt. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2013; 10:936-49. [PMID: 23466829 PMCID: PMC3709295 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph10030936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 02/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to assess culturable airborne fungal concentrations, and types in different seasons. Two-stage viable impactor samplers were used with malt extract agar medium as the collection media. Culturable airborne fungal concentrations were collected indoors and outdoors of 43 homes in urban and rural environments from November 2008 to October 2009 in Egypt. Fungal concentrations were significantly higher in the rural environment than the urban environment. The median indoor and outdoor total fungal concentrations were 608 and 675 CFU/m3 in the urban environment and 1,932 and 1,872 CFU/m3 in the rural environment, respectively. The greatest concentrations were found in the autumn and spring season. Indoor and outdoor concentrations were significantly correlated (P < 0.001). The highest concentrations were observed in the fungal size range of <8 µm (fine fraction). The indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratios were not statistically different between seasons. Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Penicillium and yeasts were the predominant genera indoors and outdoors, and the abundance of genera varied by season and region. This study is of a potential interest as little reported research on the indoor fungal air quality from Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdel Hameed A. Awad
- Air Pollution Department, National Research Centre, P.O. Box 12622, Giza 11787, Egypt; E-Mail:
- Department of Environmental and Health Research, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah Al Mukarramah, 21421, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shawn G. Gibbs
- College of Public Health, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 984355 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Patrick M. Tarwater
- Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 5001 El Paso Drive, El Paso, TX 79905, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Christopher F. Green
- Science, Math and Engineering Division, University of Cincinnati Clermont College, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA; E-Mail:
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Semple S, Garden C, Coggins M, Galea KS, Whelan P, Cowie H, Sánchez-Jiménez A, Thorne PS, Hurley JF, Ayres JG. Contribution of solid fuel, gas combustion, or tobacco smoke to indoor air pollutant concentrations in Irish and Scottish homes. Indoor Air 2012; 22:212-23. [PMID: 22007695 PMCID: PMC3573694 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2011.00755.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED There are limited data describing pollutant levels inside homes that burn solid fuel within developed country settings with most studies describing test conditions or the effect of interventions. This study recruited homes in Ireland and Scotland where open combustion processes take place. Open combustion was classified as coal, peat, or wood fuel burning, use of a gas cooker or stove, or where there is at least one resident smoker. Twenty-four-hour data on airborne concentrations of particulate matter<2.5 μm in size (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO), endotoxin in inhalable dust and carbon dioxide (CO2), together with 2-3 week averaged concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were collected in 100 houses during the winter and spring of 2009-2010. The geometric mean of the 24-h time-weighted-average (TWA) PM2.5 concentration was highest in homes with resident smokers (99 μg/m3--much higher than the WHO 24-h guidance value of 25 μg/m3). Lower geometric mean 24-h TWA levels were found in homes that burned coal (7 μg/m3) or wood (6 μg/m3) and in homes with gas cookers (7 μg/m3). In peat-burning homes, the average 24-h PM2.5 level recorded was 11 μg/m3. Airborne endotoxin, CO, CO2, and NO2 concentrations were generally within indoor air quality guidance levels. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Little is known about indoor air quality (IAQ) in homes that burn solid or fossil-derived fuels in economically developed countries. Recent legislative changes have moved to improve IAQ at work and in enclosed public places, but there remains a real need to begin the process of quantifying the health burden that arises from indoor air pollution within domestic environments. This study demonstrates that homes in Scotland and Ireland that burn solid fuels or gas for heating and cooking have concentrations of air pollutants generally within guideline levels. Homes where combustion of cigarettes takes place have much poorer air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Semple
- Scottish Centre for Indoor Air, Division of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
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Bornehag CG, Lundgren B, Weschler CJ, Sigsgaard T, Hagerhed-Engman L, Sundell J. Phthalates in indoor dust and their association with building characteristics. Environ Health Perspect 2005; 113:1399-404. [PMID: 16203254 PMCID: PMC1281287 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
In a recent study of 198 Swedish children with persistent allergic symptoms and 202 controls without such symptoms, we reported associations between the symptoms and the concentrations of n-butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in dust taken from the childrens' bedrooms. In the present study we examined associations between the concentrations of different phthalate esters in the dust from these bedrooms and various characteristics of the home. The study focused on BBzP and DEHP because these were the phthalates associated with health complaints. Associations have been examined using parametric and nonparametric tests as well as multiple logistic regression. For both BBzP and DEHP, we found associations between their dust concentrations and the amount of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used as flooring and wall material in the home. Furthermore, high concentrations of BBzP (above median) were associated with self-reported water leakage in the home, and high concentrations of DEHP were associated with buildings constructed before 1960. Other associations, as well as absence of associations, are reported. Both BBzP and DEHP were found in buildings with neither PVC flooring nor wall covering, consistent with the numerous additional plasticized materials that are anticipated to be present in a typical home. The building characteristics examined in this study cannot serve as complete proxies for these quite varied sources. However, the associations reported here can help identify homes where phthalate concentrations are likely to be elevated and can aid in developing mitigation strategies.
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Bornehag CG, Sundell J, Weschler CJ, Sigsgaard T, Lundgren B, Hasselgren M, Hägerhed-Engman L. The association between asthma and allergic symptoms in children and phthalates in house dust: a nested case-control study. Environ Health Perspect 2004; 112:1393-7. [PMID: 15471731 PMCID: PMC1247566 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.7187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 475] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Global phthalate ester production has increased from very low levels at the end of World War II to approximately 3.5 million metric tons/year. The aim of the present study was to investigate potential associations between persistent allergic symptoms in children, which have increased markedly in developed countries over the past three decades, and the concentration of phthalates in dust collected from their homes. This investigation is a case-control study nested within a cohort of 10,852 children. From the cohort, we selected 198 cases with persistent allergic symptoms and 202 controls without allergic symptoms. A clinical and a technical team investigated each child and her or his environment. We found higher median concentrations of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP) in dust among cases than among controls (0.15 vs. 0.12 mg/g dust). Analyzing the case group by symptoms showed that BBzP was associated with rhinitis (p = 0.001) and eczema (p = 0.001), whereas di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was associated with asthma (p = 0.022). Furthermore, dose-response relationships for these associations are supported by trend analyses. This study shows that phthalates, within the range of what is normally found in indoor environments, are associated with allergic symptoms in children. We believe that the different associations of symptoms for the three major phthalates-BBzP, DEHP, and di-n-butyl phthalate-can be explained by a combination of chemical physical properties and toxicologic potential. Given the phthalate exposures of children worldwide, the results from this study of Swedish children have global implications.
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