Building-related health symptoms and classroom indoor air quality: a survey of school teachers in New York State

Kielb, Christine; Lin, Shao; Muscatiello, Neil; Hord, Wendy; Rogers-Harrington, J.; Healy, James M.

doi:10.1111/ina.12154

Cited by 44 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…We found only 10 studies on mold and water damage which focused on health consequences for school employees (Bakke et al 2008; Dangman et al 2005; Ebbehoj et al 2005; Kielb et al 2014; Park et al 2004; Patovirta et al 2004; Rudblad et al 2001; Sahakian et al 2008; Thomas et al 2012; Thorn et al 1996). Seven of the eight studies focusing specifically on teachers showed strong associations between dampness, mold and respiratory symptoms (Dangman et al 2005; Kielb et al 2014; Park et al 2004; Patovirta et al 2004; Rudblad et al 2001; Sahakian et al 2008; Thomas et al 2012). However, these studies may not be directly comparable with our study due to the wide variation in exposure and outcome assessment methods.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers’ respiratory symptoms

Angelon-Gaetz

Richardson

Hernández

2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Previous studies indicate that teachers have higher asthma prevalence than other non-industrial worker groups. Schools frequently have trouble maintaining indoor relative humidity (RH) within the optimum range (30-50%) for reducing allergens and irritants. However, the potential relationship between classroom humidity and teachers’ health has not been explored. Thus, we examined the relationship between classroom humidity levels and respiratory symptoms among North Carolina teachers. Methods Teachers (n=122) recorded daily symptoms, while data-logging hygrometers recorded classroom RH levels in 10 North Carolina schools. We examined effects of indoor humidity on occurrence of symptoms using modified Poisson regression models for correlated binary data. Results The risk of asthma-like symptoms among teachers with classroom RH >50% for five days was 1.27 (0.81, 2.00) times the risk among the referent [teachers with classroom RH 30-50%]. The risk of cold/ allergy symptoms among teachers with classroom RH >50% for five days was 1.06 (0.82, 1.37) times the risk among the referent. Low RH (<30%) for five days, was associated with increased risk of asthma-like [Risk Ratio (RR): 1.26 (0.73, 2.17)] and cold/allergy symptoms [RR: 1.11 (0.90, 1.37)]. Conclusions Our findings suggest that prolonged exposure to high or low classroom RH was associated with modest (but not statistically significant) increases in the risk of respiratory symptoms among teachers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers’ respiratory symptoms

Angelon-Gaetz

Richardson

Hernández

2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…One study 14 provide values of relative risk in place of ORs. We treated the relative risk values as equivalent to ORs.…”

Section: Me Thodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7,14,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The study features and results are compiled in Table S1. 7,14,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] The study features and results are compiled in Table S1.…”

Section: Re Sultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does dampness and mold in schools affect health? Results of a meta‐analysis

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper provides meta‐analyses of the published findings relating the respiratory health of occupants of schools with visible dampness, water damage, visible mold, and/or mold odor. Random effects models were used to develop central estimates and confidence limits for the associations of respiratory health effects with school dampness and mold. Eleven studies, all with cross‐sectional designs, were included in the meta‐analyses; however, analyses for some health outcomes were based on as few as four studies. Analyses were performed using data from adults and children combined, using only data from children, and using data from adults and children after excluding two studies. The central estimates of odds ratios from the meta‐analyses were consistently above unity. The evidence of adverse health effects was strongest for cough and wheeze, which had confidence limits excluding unity in some or all analyses. The odds ratios of 1.32 for cough and 1.68 for wheeze suggest moderate increases in health risk. Studies not included in the meta‐analyses provide additional evidence that dampness and mold in schools are associated with adverse health outcomes. These meta‐analyses and the published literature not included in the meta‐analyses suggest that dampness and mold in schools are associated with adverse respiratory health effects.

show abstract

“…We have plenty of research works (Lee, Chang, 1999;Twardella et al, 2012;Kielb et al, 2014; Agarwal, Shiva Nagendra, 2016) which describe the microclimate of the classroom. Among them there are also studies such as (Krüger, Zannin, 2004) which, apart from the microclimate or heating comfort, also take in hand the acoustic comfort.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimation of Reverberation Time in Classrooms Using the Residual Minimization Method

Nowoświat

Olechowska

2017

Archives of Acoustics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The objective of the residual minimization method is to determine a coefficient correcting the Sabine's model. The Sabine's equation is the most commonly applied formula in the designing process of room acoustics with the use of analytical methods. The correction of this model is indispensable for its application in rooms having non-diffusive acoustic field. The authors of the present paper will be using the residual minimization method to work out a suitable correction to be applied for classrooms. For this purpose, five different poorly dampened classrooms were selected, in which the measurements of reverberation time were carried out, and for which reverberation time was calculated with the use of theoretical methods. Three of the selected classrooms had the cubic volume of 258.5 m 3 and the remaining two had the cubic volume of 190.8 m 3 . It was sufficient to estimate the correction for the Sabine's equation. To verify the results, three other classrooms were selected, in which also the measurements of reverberation time were carried out. The results were verified by means of real measurements of reverberation time and by means of computer simulations in the program ODEON.

show abstract

Building-related health symptoms and classroom indoor air quality: a survey of school teachers in New York State

Cited by 44 publications

References 34 publications

Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers’ respiratory symptoms

Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers’ respiratory symptoms

Does dampness and mold in schools affect health? Results of a meta‐analysis

Estimation of Reverberation Time in Classrooms Using the Residual Minimization Method

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About