Nasal lavage biomarkers: Effects of water damage and microbial growth in an office building

Selected nasal symptoms were studied in personnel who worked in a damp offi ce building that had microbial growth (including Stachybotrys sp.) in miner al fiber insulation and gypsum board. There were also signs of dampness in the floor. Clinical examinations included nasal lavage and peak expiratory flow measurements in 12 subjects in the damp building; an additional 8 subj ects in a control building (i.e., no signs of dampness or microbial growth) were also examined. Hygienic air measurements of microorganisms and volati le organic compounds were performed in both buildings. The concentrations o f eosinophil cationic protein, myeloperoxidase, and albumin, and the number of subjects with eosinophils in lavage fluid, were higher among office wor kers in the damp building than among controls. The damp building had greate r amounts of total molds and bacteria in its construction than the building materials in nondamp buildings. In addition, an increase of 2-ethyl-1-hexa nol in the indoor air was detected in the damp building-a sign of dampness- related alkaline degradation of diethyl-hexyl phthalate in polyvinyl chlori de floor coatings. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that e xposures in a damp office building may cause an inflammatory nasal mucosal response. The results also support conclusions of earlier studies, indicati ng that building dampness is related to respiratory inflammation.