allergies

Describes a study of indoor aeromycota in 15 homes in Canada. Significant differences in airborne spore concentrations were found in the different types of room. Living rooms held the highest count of airborne propagules, followed by family rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms. Kitchens had the greatest variety of fungi. Increased numbers of spores were the result of dampness and carpets, in general. Concentrations of airborne fungi were found to be reduced by the presence of forced air heating systems, humidifiers, air filters and air conditioners.

States that on using the ELISA inhibition test against Aspergillus fumigatus, the study found that air samples from air conditioned rooms showed inhibition of the serum activity of a highly sensitized patient. Concludes that although an important fraction of aeroplankton particles can be filtered out of air conditioning systems, airborne allergens can nevertheless pass both coarse and fine filters.

A group of 638 children was studied at 3 and 18 months to assess the development of symptoms possibly related to allergy or other types of hypersensitivity. Logistic regression techniques were used in the analysis. Where there was a high incidence of investigated symptoms, a family history of atopy was linked. Day nursery attendance was associated with increased risk of colds and treatment with antibiotics. Coughing was worse in homes with smoking mothers. Risk of symptoms increased with the presence of a sibling. Building factors were not significant.

An attempt was made to find any association between employees' respiratory tract symptoms and immediate skin test reaction with exposure to fungal and house dust mite aeroallergens at the workplace. Six mechanically ventilated non-industrial buildings were considered in Montreal. Concludes that potentially avoidable exposure to aeroallergens accounted for symptoms in a small subgroup of office employees with frequent work-related respiratory tract symptoms.

In order to examine the possible effects of humidifier use on asthma control, a randomised controlled study was performed. No significant differences were found when analyses were restricted to portable humidifiers, allergies to mites and/or moulds, and infrequently cleaned humidifiers.

Details a NIOSH (US National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) investigation of a school whose occupants suffered from allergic symptoms. The investigation found that occupants' symptoms were consistent with sick building syndrome. Many complaints were apparently related to insufficient outdoor air, temperature extremes in some cases, and temperature controls that were inadequately responsive to classroom conditions.

States that with the ill effects of poor indoor air quality often in the news these days, it pays to design and build a house that is healthy from the start. States that a comprehensive approach to residential design has emerged in recent years that makes both energy conservation and good indoor air quality achievable in homes.

The project selected fifteen patients known to be allergic to house dust mites and living in homes with bad moisture damage. The aim was to study the effect on the indoor environment and medical parameters after adequate measures had been taken against moisture damage. Moisture and other technical parameters in the indoor environment and the damaged building components were measured prior to, and at least one year after, these measures. Questionnaire surveys and various medical examinations were made parallel with the measurements.

More than three-fifths of the households in the U.S. heat or cool their homes with ducted forced air systems, so chances are good that air ducts are lurking within your walls, floors, or ceilings. These air ducts move conditioned air to warm and cool your family. They can be a great source of comfort-but more likely they are wasting energy and costing you money. Typical duct systems lose 25 to 40 percent of the heating or cooling energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner.