We may conclude that FA/NAFH in the Turkish population seems to be low when compared with Northern and Western European countries. This may be due to genetic, cultural or dietary factors, and further studies evaluating the reasons for this low prevalence of FA/NAFH in our population are needed.

The health care provided by nurses who work in a healthy environment would be more efficient and of better quality, which will result in better economic and social outcomes for individual and communities.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of respiratory health symptoms among high school students attending schools at industrial, urban and rural areas in a Turkish city. Three schools located in different zones of the city having different pollution characteristics were chosen based on the pollutant distribution maps using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software. A cross-sectional survey was performed among 667 high school students in the schools. Outdoor and indoor nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) concentrations were also measured by passive samplers in the same schools to investigate possible routes of exposure. Chronic pulmonary disease (OR = 1.49; 95%CI: 1.11–1.99; p = 0.008), tightness in the chest (OR = 1.57; 95%CI: 1.22–2.02; p = 0.001), morning cough (OR = 1.81 95%CI: 1.19–2.75; p = 0.006) were higher among students in the industrial zone where nitrogen dioxide and ozone levels were also highest. There were no indoor sources of nitrogen dioxide and ozone exists in the schools except for the dining hall. As a conclusion, this study has noticed that air pollution and respiratory health problems among high school students are high in industrial zones and the use of passive samplers combined with GIS is an effective tool that may be used by public health researchers to identify pollutant zones and persons at risk.

This study investigated the relation between mould exposure and allergic rhinitis in Istanbul through questionnaires and measurements of fungal propagules in indoor air. The study group was 42 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis who were sensitive to mould and 40 age and sex matched healthy subjects as controls. A questionnaire was used to characterise the variables of home environment and occupants' behaviour which might have an impact on the presence of fungal levels. At the same time, symptom scores were assessed according to the answers of the patients while air samples were collected to obtain a comparison between the patients' symptoms and the fungal counts. Samples were collected from the bedrooms and the main living rooms between 15 September and 15 November, 2002. Fungal concentrations were reported as colony forming units per cubic metre of air using the MAS 100 conversion unit table.The questionnaires showed that patients reported significantly higher dampness, mould and mildew in their homes than the controls (p ϭ 0.004, p ϭ 0.02, respectively). Also the relative humidity in the patients' houses was significantly higher compared to the controls (p Ͻ 0.001). The total culturable concentrations of fungi were significantly higher in the patients homes compared to those in the homes of the controls (p ϭ 0.003, p ϭ 0.009, respectively). A significant positive correlation was found between the patients' symptom scores and the fungal propagule concentrations (r 2 ϭ 0.39-0.49 , p Ͻ 0.001). Overall the results of this study suggest that damp housing and indoor fungal concentrations show a positive correlation with symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

No abstract

In this study, the comet assay was used to evaluate whether welding fume and solvent base paint exposure led to DNA damage in construction-site workers in Turkey. The workers (n = 52) were selected according to their exposure in the construction site and controls (n = 26) from the general population, with no history of occupational exposure. The alkaline comet assay, a standard method for assessing genotoxicity, has been applied in peripheral lymphocytes of all subjects. The mean percentages of DNA in tail (%DNA(T)) of each group were evaluated, including the comparisons between smokers in each different group and the duration of exposure. Significant increase in the mean %DNA(T) (p < 0.01) was observed in all exposed subjects (12.34 ± 2.05) when compared with controls (6.64 ± 1.43). Also %DNA(T) was significantly high (p < 0.01) in welders (13.59 ± 1.89) compared with painters (11.10 ± 1.35). There was a statistical meaningful difference in % DNA(T) between control and exposed smokers. Our findings indicate that exposure to welding fumes and paints induce genotoxic effect in peripheral lymphocytes, indicating a potential health risk for workers. Therefore, to ensure maximum occupational safety, biomonitoring is of great value for assessing the risk for construction workers.

In this study we aimed to research the frequency of and possible risk factors for sick building syndrome (SBS) in indoor workplaces in Istanbul. The investigation was carried out in 50 non-governmental bank offices: 25 had a central ventilation system (the study group) and 25 a local ventilation system (the control group). Clinical outcomes were estimated by a standardised questionnaire completed by employees. In addition, the level of indoor gaseous pollutants and bio-aerosols (micro-fungi and bacteria) were measured. The most prevalent bio-aerosols found in the study offices were high densities of Penicillium and Aspergillus spores in contrast to the control offices where the predominant species were Cladasporium and Alternia spores. Findings of SBS were relatively increased in those working in buildings with a central air conditioning system (OR ϭ 1.68; 95% CI: 1.04-2.70); in those working for less than 3 years in the building (OR ϭ 1.91; 95% CI: 1.18-3.09); in those operating a photocopier frequently (OR ϭ 1.70; 95% CI: 1.15-2.53); in women (OR ϭ 1.78; 95% CI: 1.21-2.63) and in those with workplace dissatisfaction (OR ϭ 2.06; 95% CI: 1.40-3.05).

Diseases from poisonous gases and micro-organisms in the air near garbage dumps and poisoning by polluted underground water and soil may result in serious health problems. The object of this study was to determine the negative impact of their occupation on full-time garbage collectors and to determine the microbiologic flora of their immediate environment. This study was performed with 228 selected individuals who worked daily in 5 dif ferent garbage collection units in several districts of Istanbul. The level of exposure to microbiologic flora was studied using a Merck Air Sampler MAS 100, and total bacteria, yeast and mildew concentrations per square metre and minute (cfu/m2/min) were calculated. Respiratory functions of all individuals in the study were evaluated with a computerised spirometer (MIR spiro bank). Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. were the com monest species detected followed by Candida spp., My celia sterilia, Rhizopus spp. and Mucorspp. The study of respiratory functions showed that the FVC%, FEV1%, PEF% and FEF25-75% of the garbage collectors were below 80% compared to non-collectors: OR = 2.89 (95% CI 1.14-7.30) in FVC%, OR = 2.89 (95% CI 1.41-5.92) in PEF%, OR = 2.46 (95% CI 1.33-4.56) in FEF25-75% and OR = 4.48 (95% CI 1.90-10.58) in FEV1%. A long expirium period and ronchus symptoms were detected in 11 col lectors (31.4%) and 4 drivers (11.4%) out of 32 collectors and 35 drivers whose respiratory function tests gave low values. Clinical findings between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05), OR = 4.06 (95% CI 1.13- 14.46). The exposure to airborne microbes could pro duce respiratory disorders, gastroenteritis, dermatitis and many other complaints.