Describes the California Healthy Building Study, which attempted to assess the relationship between ventilation system type and employee symptoms. Three naturally ventilated, three mechanically ventilated and six air conditioned buildings were studied. Higher adjusted prevalences of most symptom outcomes were linked with both mechanical and air conditioned ventilation.

Regression techniques were used to assess the associations between environmental factors and work-related health conditions. The study used environmental and health data for 2435 persons in 80 offices. When adjusted for age and gender, relative risks for multiple lower respiratory symptoms were increased for variables in the HVAC design and maintenance categories, with the highest for presence of debris inside the air intake, and for poor or no drainage from drain pans. Multiple atopic symptoms were related to suspended ceiling panels. Asthma was related to renovation with new drywall.

Describes a study carried out one year before and one year after a move from a naturally ventilated building to an artificially ventilated one by 167 clerical workers. The study examined the influences of physical and psychosocial work environments and personal factors on sick building syndrome symptoms. Female gender and VDU work were linked to most symptoms in both surveys. There was a significant increase after the move in eye, skin and fatigue symptoms.

Describes a cross sectional study carried out on 2678 employees in 41 office buildings in March 1991 aimed at examining the role of sick building syndrome symptoms. Concludes that the risk of the studied symptoms is related to the type of ventilation in the existing office building stock. Suggests that future studies should concentrate on the typical function problems and specific causes connected with the high-risk ventilation systems.

Attempts to examine the relationship between ventilation rate and sick building syndrome symptoms. Uses a cross sectional population based study of 399 workers in 14 mechanically ventilated office buildings without air recirculation or humidification in Finland. Air flow was measured through exhaust air outlets in the room. A questionnaire was also used. States that the results suggest that outdoor air ventilation rates below the optimal increase the risk of sick building syndrome symptoms.

Describes a study which aimed to quantify health symptom reports in four 'non-problem' buildings. Also attempted to assess the relationship between symptoms and air quality measures, characteristics of workstations and psychosocial aspects of the workplace. The method used environmental sampling and a questionnaire. High report of symptoms contrasted with low measured contaminant levels. Symptoms were associated with occupant perception of air movement, dryness, odour, and noise.

Studies the relationship between sick building syndrome symptoms and both personal and environmental factors in 225 female hospital workers in eight hospitals in the south of Sweden. The method used a self-administered questionnaire and a building survey and measurements of room temperature, supply air temperature, air humidity and exhaust air flow. Eye irritation was more common in buildings with a high ventilation flow and a high noise level from the ventilation system. Throat symptoms were more common in buildings with a high ventilation flow, among others.

Refers to the Office Illness Project from northern Sweden which showed that female gender, asthma/rhinitis, high psychosocial workload, visual display terminal and paperwork were related to an increased prevalence of facial skin symptoms. The study reported in this article used data from the Swedish study's questionnaire, supplemented with information from a clinical examination, a survey of psychosocial factors at work, building data and VDT-related factors from inspection and measurements taken at the workplace.

States that correctional facilities in the US can be susceptible to outbreaks of respiratory infections due to overpopulation. Risk factors for pneumococcal disease were assessed in a case-control and a cohort study. The jail studied had a capacity of 3500 inmates but housed 6700. Median living area was 34 ft2. Fewer cases of disease were identified among inmates with 80 ft2 per person or more. CO2 levels were over the acceptable level.

The effectiveness of in-room air filtration systems was experimentally evaluated, specifically portable air filters (PAFs) and ceiling-mounted air filters, in conjunction with dilution ventilation, in order to control TB exposure in high-risk environments. A test aerosol was continuously generated and released into a full-sized room. Time-averaged airborne particle concentrations were measured at several points. The effectiveness was determined by a comparison of particle concentrations with and without device operation. Increasing rate of air flow did not always increase effectiveness.