The Toxicity of Wiped Dust and Airborne Microbes in Individual Classrooms Increase the Risk of Teachers’ Work-Related Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The causes and pathophysiological mechanisms of building-related symptoms (BRS) remain open. Objective: We aimed to investigate the association between teachers’ individual work-related symptoms and intrinsic in vitro toxicity in classrooms. This is a further analysis of a previously published dataset. Methods: Teachers from 15 Finnish schools in Helsinki responded to the symptom survey. The boar sperm motility inhibition assay, a sensitive indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction, was used to measure the toxicity of wiped dust and cultured microbial fallout samples collected from the teachers’ classrooms. Results: 231 teachers whose classroom toxicity data had been collected responded to the questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, gender, smoking, and atopy showed that classroom dust intrinsic toxicity was statistically significantly associated with the following 12 symptoms reported by teachers (adjusted ORs in parentheses): nose stuffiness (4.1), runny nose (6.9), hoarseness (6.4), globus sensation (9.0), throat mucus (7.6), throat itching (4.4), shortness of breath (12.2), dry cough (4.7), wet eyes (12.7), hypersensitivity to sound (7.9), difficulty falling asleep (7.6), and increased need for sleep (7.7). Toxicity of cultured microbes was found to be associated with nine symptoms (adjusted ORs in parentheses): headache (2.3), nose stuffiness (2.2), nose dryness (2.2), mouth dryness (2.8), hoarseness (2.2), sore throat (2.8), throat mucus (2.3), eye discharge (10.2), and increased need for sleep (3.5). Conclusions: The toxicity of classroom dust and airborne microbes in boar sperm motility inhibition assay significantly increased teachers’ risk of work-related respiratory and ocular symptoms. Potential pathophysiological mechanisms of BRS are discussed.

Associative factors for atopic dermatitis and other atopic diseases in middle‐aged adults: A population‐based birth cohort study among 5373 subjects

“…In the present study, symptoms related to indoor air were significantly associated with AD, AR, AC, asthma, and atopic multimorbidity, as in previous studies 21,34 : In Sweden, several indoor air factors, including humid air and mold odor in multifamily houses, associated with eczema, allergy, and asthma 21 . Recently, a study conducted in Finland found that the toxicity of wiped dust and airborne microbes in indoor air at workplace were significantly associated with multiple work‐related respiratory and ocular symptoms 22 . In the same study, the toxicity of wiped dust was significantly associated with AR.…”

“… 21 Recently, a study conducted in Finland found that the toxicity of wiped dust and airborne microbes in indoor air at workplace were significantly associated with multiple work‐related respiratory and ocular symptoms. 22 In the same study, the toxicity of wiped dust was significantly associated with AR. This association might be bidirectional as the toxicity of indoor air might predispose to the development of atopic diseases, or individuals with atopic morbidity might be more prone to develop symptoms related to indoor air toxins or microbes.…”

“…Data on factors (living on a farm in infancy, 10 current residence [divided into three categories: inner urban, outer urban and rural area] 2 or current occupation as farming, 16 current pets [furry animals or birds], 17 sex, 2 current education [divided into three categories and representing socioeconomic status], 18 current BMI, 19 former smoking 20 [not in the previous 12 months but before] and current smoking [in the previous 12 months], 20 symptoms related to indoor air [at home or at workplace], 21 , 22 parental asthma and parental type I allergy 23 and gestational age 24 ) that could have an impact on atopic manifestations according to literature were collected by way of health questionnaires antenatally and at age 46.…”

Risk factors of hand eczema: A population‐based study among 900 subjects

“…In previous studies, self‐reported allergy like hay fever 36 and atopy 35 increased the risk for reporting SBS. A recent Finnish study found an association between toxicity of classroom dust and airborne microbes and teachers' risk of work‐related respiratory and ocular symptoms 37 . More studies are needed to establish the association between mould exposure and HE.…”

Toxicity Screening of Fungal Extracts and Metabolites, Xenobiotic Chemicals, and Indoor Dusts with In Vitro and Ex Vivo Bioassay Methods

“…The BSMI assay measures inability to respond to induction of motility after toxin exposure and has been described in detail previously [ 10 , 57 , 58 ]. Commercially available extended boar semen containing 2.7 × 10 7 sperm cells mL −1 was obtained from Figen Ltd., Tuomikylä, Finland.…”