[Housing and health counselling services in the management of allergic respiratory disease].

INTRODUCTION

Input from Housing and health counselling services is advisable when a patient's health seems to be impaired by their housing conditions.

METHODS

650 home visits have been performed by our organisation since 2002. Each visit includes a questionnaire to assess respiratory as well as non-respiratory indoor risk factors, Acarex test to assess mite-allergen content in mattress dust, mould sampling and, when appropriate, air sampling for measurement of volatile organic compounds and aldehydes.

RESULTS

The dwellings studied were mostly flats located in the downtown and occupied by a tenant. In most instances, several health hazards were identified. These hazards, in decreasing occurrence included: mold (74.4%), mite infestation in mattress dust (56.3%), cleaning products accessible to children's'hands (47.8%), dangerous electrical circuits (21.1%), exposure to chemical air pollutants (9.0%), exposure to an electromagnetic field (2.8%). Numerous fungal species were identified often occurring in association.

CONCLUSION

This service allowed the identification of numerous and various health hazards. Its efficacy and effectiveness remains to be evaluated.