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L. Kristen Welker-Hood, MSN RN, ScD (c), School of Nursing, University of Texas Medical Branch (workplace), 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-1029, (409) 772-4878, lkwelker@utmb.edu, H. Patricia Hynes, MA, MS, Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, Timothy Heeren, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, TE330, Boston, MA 02118, John Snell, Peregrine Energy Group, 151 Merrimac Street, Boston, MA 02114, Daniel Helmes, BS, Boston Housing Authority, 52 Chauncy Street, 6th floor, Boston, MA 02111, and Doug Brugge, PhD, MS, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02111.
Other investigations that have explored the associations between housing dampness and symptoms resulted in the increased odds of asthma prevalence, respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, and severity of asthma. Also, a wide range of symptoms reported in the dampness literature overlap with symptoms reported in sick building syndrome or building-related symptom investigations. Dampness is thought to instigate a large array of symptoms by increasing contact with allergens among sensitized individuals and promoting a non-specific inflammatory response. This study investigates the association of exposure to water damage, moisture or mold and health symptoms among residents (N=238) in multi-unit US public housing. Principal component analysis was employed to arrive at composite scales for Home Dampness, Outside Leak, Inside Leak, and Apartment Mold Indices. The ability of these indices to predict symptom outcomes was investigated using four separate logistic regression models for each symptom outcome. Results demonstrated that residents exposed to water damage, moisture, or mold were found to have increased odds of experiencing a wide array of building-related symptoms depending on the source of dampness. These symptoms can be categorized into mucous membrane symptoms (sore or dry throat, burning/ itchy eyes), skin symptoms (rashes), neurotoxic effects (nausea, headache, tiredness, dizziness), and chemosensory changes (blurry vision). Contrary to other studies, respiratory symptoms such as wheeze, cough, or sneeze were not reported at a higher frequency for most of the exposures examined. However, moisture problems were associated with increased odds of reporting ear infection suggesting that dampness contributes to respiratory infections.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Healthy Buildings, Housing
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.