An approach to management of critical indoor air problems in school buildings.

Abstract

This study was conducted in a school center that had been the focus of intense public concern over 2 years because of suspected mold and health problems. Because several attempts to find solutions to the problem within the community were not satisfactory, outside specialists were needed for support in solving the problem. The study group consisted of experts in civil engineering, indoor mycology, and epidemiology. The studies were conducted in close cooperation with the city administration. Structures at risk were opened, moisture and temperature were measured, and the causes of damage were analyzed. Microbial samples were taken from the air, surfaces, and materials. Health questionnaires were sent to the schoolchildren and personnel. Information on the measurements and their results was released regularly to school employees, students and their parents, and to the media. Repairs were designed on the basis of this information. Moisture damage was caused mainly by difficult moisture conditions at the building site, poor ventilation, and water leaks. Fungal genera (concentrations <200 colony-forming units (cfu)/m3, <3000 cfu/cm2) typical to buildings with mold problems (e.g., Aspergillus versicolor, Eurotium) were collected from the indoor air and surfaces of the school buildings. Where moisture-prone structures were identified and visible signs of damage or elevated moisture content were recorded, the numbers of microbes also were high; thus microbial results from material samples supported the conclusions made in the structural studies. Several irritative and recurrent symptoms were common among the upper secondary and high school students. The prevalence of asthma was high (13%) among the upper secondary school students. During the last 4 years, the incidence of asthma was 3-fold that of the previous 4-year period.

Airborne fungi in child day care centers in Edirne City, Turkey

“…Humidity in the CDCCs must be controlled and filtration systems (especially high efficiency filters) should be used to prevent the ingress of mould spores, especially those coming from outdoor sources. Ventilation should also be adequate since poor ventilation together with water leaks cause increased humidity that result in increased fungal growth (Haverinen et al 1999).…”

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

“…Several studies also found a higher risk of respiratory symptoms in pupils attending dampness-affected schools (Borr as- Santos et al, 2013;Cai et al, 2011;Haverinen et al, 1999;Jacobs et al, 2014;Meklin et al, 2002;Rylander et al, 1998;Sahakian et al, 2008;Smedje et al, 1997;Simoni et al, 2011;Zhao et al, 2008). The school environment differs from that of the home in several aspects such as size, design, construction materials, ventilation, occupant density, and activities.…”

Heterogeneity in microbial exposure in schools in Sweden, Poland and Jordan revealed by analysis of chemical markers

“…Various health problems, including respiratory symptoms and diseases, are known to be associated with microbially contaminated indoor air and can arise, for example, through inhalation of airborne fungal spores. Molds produce a range of mycotoxins (fungal secondary metabolites), some of which are among the most potent (e.g., toxic and carcinogenic) substances known (Haverinen et al, 1999;Morey, 1999;Zureik et al, 2002). Among the suspected causative bacterial agents are the endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides, LPS), which constitute part of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria.…”