VENTILATION SYSTEM, INDOOR AIR-QUALITY, AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN PARISIAN MODERN OFFICE WORKERS

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the effect on hea lth of exposure to different types of ventilation, taking indoor envir onmental measurements (IEMs) of major contaminants and aeroallergens i nto account. Three buildings ventilated with heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), fan coil units (FCUs), and natural ventilati on were selected. One thousand one hundred forty-four workers answered health questionnaires. After adjusting for potential confounders, HVA C and FCU systems were related to a slightly higher risk of nonspecifi c symptoms (compared with natural ventilation), short-term throat irri tation, work-related nasal discharge, nasal blockage on awakening, mig raine, and usual coughing induced by cold air. Studying the potential effects of environmental contaminants and aeroallergens on health outc omes, taking the floor and type of ventilation into account, did not e xplain the observed excess of nonspecific symptoms. (C) 1997 Academic Press.