Objective-Extensive IgE serology in occupational or environmental health studies is often hampered by a lack of technical facilities and finance. The use in population studies of relatively simple and inexpensive enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) was therefore evaluated for the assessment of total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and of specific IgE reactions with various common (house dust mites, grass and birch pollen, and cat) or occupational (fungal a-amylase and rat urinary protein) allergens. pollen, birch pollen, and cat) were remarkably high (> 80%/o-90%) in the series of 116 children's serum samples. In a population of bakery workers the specificity of the EIAs was also very high (> 90%). The sensitivity was notably lower (30°/o-70%) in this adult population, which is, however, in agreement with results reported for conventional IgE tests. Conclusion-As the costs were estimated to be at least five to 10-fold lower than those of commercial test kits, the EIAs for total and specific IgE may be very useful tools in epidemiological studies of atopic respiratory or other disorders.

Several studies describe indoor pollutant exposure in homes and to a lesser extent in schools. Population studies that include both environments are sparse. This study aims to assess endotoxin levels in primary schools and homes of children. Endotoxin was also studied in relation to asthma and sensitisation.10 schools with (index) and without (reference) dampness were selected, based on reports and inspections. Cases and controls were selected from 169 homes based on the presence or absence of asthmalike symptoms of children. Classroom and bedroom airborne settled dust was sampled using electrostatic dust fall collectors.Average endotoxin levels in schools ranged from 2178 to 6914 endotoxin units (EU)?m -2 per week compared with 462-1285 EU?m -2 per week in homes. After mutual adjustment for home and school endotoxin, school endotoxin was positively associated with nonatopic asthma (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.97-1.27), while no associations with endotoxin were found at home.The high endotoxin levels in schools compared with homes indicate that exposure at school can contribute considerably to environmental endotoxin exposure of children and teachers. Our results also suggest that endotoxin in schools may be associated with nonatopic asthmatic symptoms in pupils, although the results require reproduction because of the modest sample size. @ERSpublications School endotoxin levels can contribute to exposure of children and teachers, causing nonatopic asthmatic symptoms

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Inadequate ventilation of classrooms may lead to increased concentrations of pollutants generated indoors in schools. The FRESH study, on the effects of increased classroom ventilation on indoor air quality, was performed in 18 naturally ventilated classrooms of 17 primary schools in the Netherlands during the heating seasons of 2010-2012. In 12 classrooms, ventilation was increased to targeted CO2 concentrations of 800 or 1200 ppm, using a temporary CO2 controlled mechanical ventilation system. Six classrooms were included as controls. In each classroom, data on endotoxin, β(1,3)-glucans, and particles with diameters of <10 μm (PM10 ) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) were collected during three consecutive weeks. Associations between the intervention and these measured indoor air pollution levels were assessed using mixed models, with random classroom effects. The intervention lowered endotoxin and β(1,3)-glucan levels and PM10 concentrations significantly. PM10 for instance was reduced by 25 μg/m³ (95% confidence interval 13-38 μg/m³) from 54 μg/m³ at maximum ventilation rate. No significant differences were found between the two ventilation settings. Concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 were not affected by the intervention. Our results provide evidence that increasing classroom ventilation is effective in decreasing the concentrations of some indoor-generated pollutants.

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