English

The study aimed to assess prevalence of complaints and symptoms in relation to sick building syndrome for workers in an air conditioned building in Italy, in the absence of earlier reported complaints. The control was 281 workers in three naturally ventilated buildings. There was a significantly higher number of complaints from the air conditioned office building's employees, including strong lighting, high temperature and dry, dusty and stuffy air. No significant difference was noted in respiratory or general symptoms.

A cross sectional study with control was performed to identify sick building syndrome symptoms in office workers in northern France, based on an air conditioned and a naturally ventilated building. Found that exposure to air conditioning was linked to an increased prevalence of symptoms, and increased sickness absence. Two determinants not previously described resulting from logistic regression were family history of respiratory diseases and 'do-it-yourself' activities.

Summarises the results of product analyses and a series of small chamber emissions tests on alkyd paint. Also describes the use of a mass balance approach to evaluate the impact of test variables and to assess the quality of the emissions data.

Describes how design aids were developed to simplify the task of sizing inlet and exhaust openings and airway height for cathedral ceilings. Recommends guidelines for when and where roof ventilation is needed to avoid icings at eaves.

Aimed to find out if a decrease in sick building syndrome symptoms as the result of an improved ventilation system was still in force after three years. The buildings, both old and new, had sealed windows with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification. The prevalence of most symptoms had originally decreased by 40% to 50%. The case was similar after three years.

Examines the effect of a new, individually controlled ventilation system on employee symptoms. Two groups of employees were studied in one office building with mechanical ventilation, with one group the control. Individual control of the workspace ventilation was given to the intervention group. The new system gave higher air velocities, more variable temperatures, and higher concentration of airborne dust and fungal spores. Nevertheless, after four months, employees reported fewer symptoms.

The outdoor air supply was manipulated over a period of six week in two mechanically ventilated offices in Montreal, and symptoms and environmental parameters noted. Higher dust and higher nitrogen dioxide concentrations led to eye symptoms reports. Higher TVOCs were associated with mucosal symptoms. Higher dust levels were associated with systemic symptoms.

A newly built nursing home was analysed to establish why there had been a significantly lower attack rate in this building during a type A influenza epidemic. Measurements were taken of the number of respiratory illnesses and influenza cultures in consenting symptomatic residents, and of building characteristics. Of the four buildings in the home, Building A had significantly fewer culture-confirmed cases than the other buildings. Building A's ventilation system was unique, it had more public space per resident, and did not have office space serving the whole complex.

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.

Environmental conditions, sick building syndrome symptoms, job satisfaction, job stress, and occupational and personal information were assess by questionnaire of 4479 employees from 27 air conditioned offices, and indoor air quality measurements taken. IAQ met the ASHRAE guidelines for all the buildings. Found that the number of sick building syndrome symptoms per employee was linked linearly to computer use, job stress, job satisfaction, number of allergies, migraine and eye wear.