Pulmonary Disease Associated with Cafeteria Flooding

Abstract

An illness among office workers, consisting of cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, and chest tightness was associated with water leaks from a cafeteria. Mean single breath carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) of cases differed significantly from that of non-cases. There was a significant decrease in the percent of predicted DLCO with increasing number of symptoms. Testing for precipitating antibodies to microbial agents found in the building revealed no differences between cases and non-cases. DLCO is an appropriate cross-sectional instrument for field investigations of building-associated respiratory disease.

HETA 96-0100-2636, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Tomahawk, Wisconsin.

“…Allergic respiratory diseases resulting from exposures to microbial agents have been documented in agricultural, biotechnology, office, and home environments. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Acceptable levels of airborne microorganisms or bioaerosols have not been established, primarily because allergic reactions can occur even with relatively low air concentrations of allergens, and individuals differ with respect to immunogenic susceptibilities.…”

HETA-95-0331 & 95-0334-2626, Boston Harbor Tunnel Project, Winthrop, Massachusetts.

“…2 Allergic respiratory diseases resulting from exposures to microbial agents have been documented in agricultural, biotechnology, office, and home environments. 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 Individual symptomatology varies with the disease. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by paroxysms of sneezing; itching of the nose, eyes, palate, or pharynx; nasal stuffiness with partial or total airflow obstruction; and rhinorrhea (runny nose) with postnasal drainage.…”

HETA 2000-0339-2852, Group Health Associates, Cincinnati, Ohio.

“…15 Allergic respiratory diseases resulting from exposures to microbial agents have been documented in agricultural, biotechnology, office, and home environments. 18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25 Acceptable levels of airborne microorganisms or their mycotoxins have not been established. Relationships between health effects and environmental microorganisms must be determined through the combined contributions of medical, epidemiologic, and environmental evaluation.…”