PREVALENCE OF IRRITATIVE SYMPTOMS IN A NONPROBLEM AIR-CONDITIONED OFFICE BUILDING

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of work-related complaints and sy mptoms in employees in an air-conditioned office building (Building AC ) in a mild climatic area (Italy). No discomfort had previously been r eported. Methods: A total of 198 employees in Building AC and 281 cont rols working in three naturally ventilated buildings (Building NV) ans wered a questionnaire investigating work-related complaints and sympto ms. Results: A significantly higher percentage of workers in Building AC reported a lack of comfort in the working environment as compared w ith the controls (30.6% versus 18.9%). The most common complaints were strong lighting, high temperature, and dry, dusty, and/or stuffy air. The prevalence of ocular, upper airway, and cutaneous symptoms was si gnificantly higher (29.8% versus 14.9%, 25.3% versus 9.6%, and 14.1% v ersus 3.6%, respectively). No significant difference was observed in r espiratory or general symptoms. Logistic regression analysis showed th at working with video display units and photocopiers influenced ocular symptoms; upper airway and cutaneous symptoms were influenced by fema le gender and working in the air-conditioned building. Conclusions: In an apparently healthy air-conditioned office building, complaints and symptoms are reported more often than in a naturally ventilated edifi ce, but the prevalence is lower than that usually observed in sick bui ldings. Symptoms are influenced by individual and work-related charact eristics.