Cai Gui-Hong, Mälarstig Björn, Kumlin Anders, Johansson Ingrid, Janson Christer, Norbäck Dan
Uppsala University, Dept. of Medical Science, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden.
J Environ Monit. 2011 Jul;13(7):2018-24. doi: 10.1039/c0em00553c. Epub 2011 Jun 3.
Pet allergens and mold growth related to damp are common phenomena in day care centers in Sweden but exposure measurements of these factors are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between building construction and indoor environment quality in Swedish day care centers and the potential for exposure to fungi (analyzed by quantitative PCR) and animal allergens (analyzed by ELISA). Measurements were performed in 21 day care centers (103 rooms) from one municipality in Sweden, which were identified as constructions at risk of dampness (85% of the buildings) and with visible damage and mold growth (54% of the buildings). Dust samples were collected using cotton swab and Petri dishes. Total fungal DNA was detected in 99% and 100%, Aspergillus/Penicillium DNA in 54% and 68%, and Stachybotrys chartarum DNA in 4% and 9% of the investigated rooms in cotton swab and Petri dish samples, respectively. The total fungal DNA levels (Geometric Mean, GM) were 4.2 × 10(6) cell equivalents per m(2) and 2.9 × 10(5) cell equivalents per m(2) per day in the swab and Petri dish samples, respectively. The concentrations (GM) of cat (Fel d1), dog (Can f1), and horse (Equ cx) allergens were 9.4, 7.2 ng m(-2) day(-1), and 5.0 unit per m(2) per day, respectively. Total fungal DNA levels were higher in risk construction buildings (p = 0.01), in rooms with linoleum flooring material (p = 0.003), and in buildings with rotating heat exchangers (p = 0.02). There were associations between total fungal DNA levels and cat (p = 0.02), dog (p < 0.001), and horse (p = 0.001) allergens. In conclusion, risk constructions, damp constructions, mould growth, fungal DNA, and animal allergens were common exposure factors in Swedish day care centers. Building constructions that represent a high risk for internal dampness should be avoided in the future, and measures to reduce allergen levels should be considered to protect pet-allergic children from asthmatic problems.
宠物过敏原和与潮湿相关的霉菌生长在瑞典日托中心是常见现象，但缺乏对这些因素的暴露测量。本研究的目的是调查瑞典日托中心建筑结构与室内环境质量之间的关系，以及暴露于真菌（通过定量PCR分析）和动物过敏原（通过ELISA分析）的可能性。在瑞典一个市镇的21个日托中心（103个房间）进行了测量，这些日托中心被确定为有潮湿风险的建筑（85%的建筑），且有可见损坏和霉菌生长（54%的建筑）。使用棉签和培养皿收集灰尘样本。在棉签和培养皿样本中，分别有99%和100%的被调查房间检测到总真菌DNA，54%和68%的房间检测到曲霉/青霉DNA，4%和9%的房间检测到黑曲霉DNA。棉签样本和培养皿样本中的总真菌DNA水平（几何平均值，GM）分别为每平方米4.2×10(6)细胞当量和每天每平方米2.9×10(5)细胞当量。猫（Fel d1）、狗（Can f1）和马（Equ cx）过敏原的浓度（GM）分别为9.4、7.2纳克/平方米·天和每天每平方米5.0单位。风险建筑中的总真菌DNA水平更高（p = 0.01），在使用油毡地板材料的房间中更高（p = 0.003），在装有旋转热交换器的建筑中更高（p = 0.02）。总真菌DNA水平与猫（p = 0.02）、狗（p < 0.001）和马（p = 0.001）过敏原之间存在关联。总之，风险建筑、潮湿建筑、霉菌生长、真菌DNA和动物过敏原是瑞典日托中心常见的暴露因素。未来应避免存在内部潮湿高风险的建筑结构，并应考虑采取措施降低过敏原水平，以保护对宠物过敏的儿童免受哮喘问题的困扰。
