The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61424

Derek G Shendell, MPH, DEnv¹, Feng C Tsai, PhD², Laureen Burton³, and Janet Macher, MPH, ScD². (1) Indoor Environment Department (EETD), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, MS 90-3058, Berkeley, CA 94720-8132, (510) 486-6404, dgshendell@lbl.gov, (2) Environmental Health Laboratory Branch, California Department of Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Room EHLB, Berkeley, CA 94704, (3) US Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20460

From 1994-1998, the United States Environmental Protection Agency sponsored a comprehensive nationwide survey of environmental quality and occupant perceptions in 100, randomly selected, office buildings––the Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation (BASE) study. The final database is scheduled to be released to the public and to be available for analysis. Among the systematically collected indoor and outdoor measurements were the concentrations of airborne bacteria and fungi as well as selected allergens (cat, Fel d1, and dust mite, Der p1 and Der f1) in floor dust. We will present an overview of the BASE study design, including a discussion of the measurement techniques for biological agents, and descriptive statistics for the concentrations of the most prevalent bioaerosols. At the conclusion of the session, participants will recognize the strengths and limitations of the BASE study design and sampling methods. Participants also will be able to develop databases specific to their individual needs from the BASE summaries of building characteristics, occupant health, work-related symptoms, and indoor and outdoor measurements of environmental conditions, chemical agents, and biologically derived contaminants in office buildings across the nation. The presentation will be of most interest to public health professionals involved in exposure assessment as well as those interested in occupational and environmental health related to biological agents.

Learning Objectives:

• Session participants will recognize the strengths and shortcomings of the BASE study design and sampling methods. Participants will also be able to develop databases specific to their individual needs from the BASE study.

Keywords: Indoor Environment, Occupational Exposure

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.