%0 Journal Article
%K indoor air quality
%K asthma
%K indoor environmental quality
%K sick building syndrome
%K respiratory disease
%K building-related illness
%K nonspecific symptoms
%K respiratory symptoms
%K ventilation systems
%A Mark J Mendell
%A Gina M Naco
%A Thomas G Wilcox
%A W. W Karl Sieber
%B American Journal of Industrial Medicine
%D 2003
%G eng
%N 6
%P 630-641
%R 10.1002/ajim.10211
%T Environmental Risk Factors and Work-Related Lower Respiratory Symptoms in 80 Office Buildings: An Exploratory Analysis of NIOSH Data
%V 43
%1 <p>1.2</p>
%2 LBNL-51761
%8 06/2003
%! Risks for Respiratory Symptoms in Offices
%X <p><strong>Background:</strong> We evaluated relationships between lower respiratory symptoms and risk factors for microbiological contamination in office buildings.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health collected data from 80 office buildings during standardized indoor environmental health hazard evaluations. Present analyses included lower respiratory symptom-based outcome definitions and risk factors for potential microbiologic contamination. Multivariate logistic regression models for selected outcomes identified key risk factors.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for "at least three of four work-related lower respiratory symptoms" were, for debris in ventilation air intake, 2.0 (1.0- 3.9), and for poor drainage in air-conditioning drip pans, 2.6 (1.3-5.2). Adjusted associations with risk factors were consistently stronger for outcomes requiring both multiple symptoms and improvement away from work, and somewhat stronger among diagnosed asthmatics.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Moisture and debris in ventilation systems, possibly by supporting microbiologic growth, may increase adverse respiratory effects, particularly among asthmatics. Data from more representative buildings are needed to confirm these findings.</p>