Asthma symptoms in relation to measured building dampness in upper concrete floor construction, and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol in indoor air

SETTING: Asthma symptoms in adults in relation to the indoor environment. OBJECTIVES: TO Study the relationships between current asthma symptoms (whe eze or attacks of breathlessness) and the indoor environment and dampness i n hospitals. DESIGN: A study among personnel (n = 87) in four geriatric hospitals in win ter. Indoor air pollutants, dampness in the concrete floor, and allergens i n settled dust were measured. Multiple logistic regression analysis was app lied, adjusting for age, sex, atopy, and dampness in the participants' own dwellings. RESULTS: Current asthma symptoms were reported by 17%, and 8% had doctor's diagnosed asthma. Asthma symptoms were more common (adjusted odds ratio = 8 .6; 95% confidence interval 1.3-56.7) in two buildings with signs of dampne ss-related degradation of di(ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) in polyvinyl chlo ride (PVC) floor material, detected as presence of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2-32 mug/m(3)) in indoor air (CAS nr 104-76-7). Asthma symptoms were related to higher relative humidity in the upper concrete floor construction, and ammo nia in the floor. The newest hospital, built by an anthroposophic society, had low levels of dampness and few asthma symptoms (4%). Cat (Fel d1) and d og: allergens (Can f1) were found in dust from all buildings (geometric mea n 340 ng/g and 2490 ng/g, respectively). House dust mite allergens (Derp1, Derf1, or Derm1) were found in 75% of all samples (geometric mean 130 ng/g) . There was no relationship between allergen levels and asthma symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma symptoms may be related to increased humidity in concre te floor constructions and emission of 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, an indicator of d ampness-related alkaline degradation of plasticiser DEHP. Moreover, geriatr ic hospitals can be contaminated by significant amounts of cat, dog and mit e allergens.