INDICATORS OF MOISTURE AND VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTAMINATION IN U.S. OFFICE BUILDINGS AS RISK FACTORS FOR RESPIRATORY AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE SYMPTOMS: ANALYSES OF THE EPA BASE DATA

摘要

Many studies have associated moisture or mold in residences with respiratory symptoms, but few studies have been conducted in office buildings. We assessed associations between moisture and ventilation system contamination and lower respiratory and mucous membrane symptoms in the U.S. EPA BASE data from 100 U.S. office buildings, using multivariate regression models. One set of models showed lower respiratory symptoms almost tripled with lack of cleaning of drip pans under air-conditioning cooling coils (odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 2.8 (1.2-6.5). Other models associated lack of cleaning of either drip pans or cooling coils, and water damage in mechanical rooms, with increased mucous membrane symptoms. Some moisture-related risks found by other studies were not replicated here. Overall, findings suggest that moisture or contamination in ventilation systems or occupied spaces in office buildings may have adverse health effects. Studies with more rigorous measurement of environmental factors and health outcomes are necessary.