Allergy and respiratory health effects of dampness and dampness-related agents in schools and homes: a cross-sectional study in Danish pupils

Abstract

Little is known about the health effects of school-related indoor dampness and microbial exposures. In this study, we investigated dampness and dampness-related agents in both homes and schools and their association with allergy and respiratory health effects in 330 Danish pupils. Classroom dampness was identified based on technical inspection and bedroom dampness on parents' self-report. Classroom and bedroom dust was analyzed for seven microbial components. Skin prick testing determined atopic sensitization. Lung function was expressed as z-scores for forced expiratory volume in one-second (zFEV ), forced vital capacity (zFVC) and the ratio zFEV /zFVC using GLI-2012 prediction equations. The parents reported children's allergies, airway symptoms, and doctor-diagnosed asthma. High classroom dampness, but not bedroom dampness, was negatively associated with zFEV (β-coef. -0.71; 95% CI -1.17 to -0.23) and zFVC (β-coef. -0.52; 95% CI -0.98 to -0.06) and positively with wheezing (OR 8.09; 95% CI 1.49 to 43.97). No consistent findings were found between any individual microbial components or combination of microbial components and health outcomes. Among other indoor risk factors, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) decreased zFEV (β-coef. -0.22; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.02) and zFEV /zFVCratio (β-coef. -0.26; 95% CI -0.44 to -0.07) and increased upper airway symptoms (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.03-2.66). In conclusion, dampness in classrooms may have adverse respiratory health effects in pupils, but microbial agents responsible for this effect remain unknown.

Indoor allergen exposure and asthma outcomes

“…For younger children, exposure to dust mites and molds in day care centers was associated with wheezing [23]. Likewise, researchers in Denmark found that high classroom dampness was associated with increased wheezing and decreased spirometry in exposed students [24]. Finally, mold exposure in school classrooms was shown to be significantly associated with current asthma symptoms and asthma symptoms that improved over holidays and weekends when the students were out of school [25 ▪▪ ].…”

Does dampness and mold in schools affect health? Results of a meta‐analysis

“…The health data are entirely self-reported, and the occupants of damp and/or moldy schools may have been aware of the problems and their potential to cause health effects. 10,11,21,24,32,34,37,39,40 Four of the eight studies reported statistically significant worsening of one or more objective health outcomes with indicators of building dampness or mold. Four studies described in five papers assessed whether renovations to correct dampness and mold problems in schools improved health.…”

“…For dermal symptoms and current asthma, only four studies provided data. [33][34][35][36][37] One of the seven studies reported a very small statistically significant decrease in wheeze with higher airborne mold 38 and another study 24 reported a decrease in atopic dermatitis with higher airborne mold. The possibility of publication bias is always a concern for re- Data from studies not included in the meta-analyses were also reviewed.…”

“…7,14,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The study features and results are compiled in Table S1. 7,14,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The study features and results are compiled in Table S1.…”

Remote Ischemia Preconditioning Attenuates Blood-Spinal Cord Barrier Breakdown in Rats Undergoing Spinal Cord Ischemia Reperfusion Injury: Associated with Activation and Upregulation of CB1 and CB2 Receptors

“…The RIPC consisted of 3 occlusion-reperfusion cycles. The spinal cord I/R injury was conducted by the previously described technique [18]. Briefly, rats were anesthetized by 4% sodium pentobarbital (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally).…”