Parental, gestational, and early-life exposure to indoor environmental hazardous factors on allergic rhinitis among preschool children in Urumqi City: a case-control study

Abstract Objective Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease associated with impaired quality of life and heredity. This study aimed to investigate the association of allergic rhinitis in preschool children with exposure to indoor environment-related factors early in life. Methods In August 2019, the authors implemented a study among 2020 preschool children in Urumqi City using a case-control design. The study included parental reports for the occurrence of AR in children, parental history of respiratory disease, and indoor environmental correlates of maternal exposure from 1 year prior to pregnancy until the child's age of 0-1 year. Results Mode of birth (cesarean section) (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.02∼1.67), father with AR (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 2.08∼3.44), mother with AR (OR = 3.70, 95% CI = 2.88∼4.74), mother with asthma (OR = 3.11, 95% CI = 1.18∼8.20), and mother with newly purchased furniture in the parents' residence during pregnancy (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.03∼2.14) were risk factors for AR in children. Conclusions The focus of allergic rhinitis should be on children with a family history of AR and asthma and cesarean delivery. Primary prevention efforts for AR in preschool children are avoiding exposure of children to indoor environmental hazardous factors early in life.

Prevalence and indoor environment risk factors of otitis among preschool children in Urumqi, China

Abstract Objective To investigate the indoor environmental risk factors to provide measures for the prevention and control of otitis in preschool children. Method In this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire survey was administered to preschool children aged 2-7 years from 60 kindergartens in six districts of Urumqi City in August 2019. Multiple regression was run to predict influence factors for otitis media in preschool children. Result A total of 8153 valid questionnaires were collected. After adjusting for age, the prevalence of otitis among preschool children in Urumqi was 13.1%. Multivariate logistic regression showed that previous antibiotic treatment, treatment with one to two antibiotics before 1 year of age, presence of walls with aqueous or latex paint, use of carpet floor bedding in rooms, newly decorated homes of mothers before pregnancy, purchase of new furniture for homes of children at 0-1 year of age, and presence of flowering plants in the residence of children at 0-1 years of age were all identified as risk factors for the development of otitis in children. Conclusion Parents should also pay attention to indoor living environments, and reduce indoor renovation in the homes of children during their growth and development, which can positively improve children's indoor living environment, thus effectively preventing otitis in preschool children.

Effect of indoor and outdoor environmental factors on allergic and infectious diseases in children / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate the prevalence of allergic and infectious diseases in children， and to assess the influence of indoor and outdoor environmental factors on these two common diseases in children. Methods A questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of allergic and infectious diseases in 140 children of 7 years old in Laizhou Bay， Shandong Province. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between indoor and outdoor environmental factors and children’s allergic and infectious diseases， respectively. Results The prevalence of previous eczema and other allergic diseases for the past year in children was 37.9% and 15.0%， respectively， and the prevalence of infectious diseases for the past year was 35.7%. As for allergic diseases， eye irritation due to outdoor air （ OR =2.977； 95% CI ： 1.407‒6.296） and nose irritation due to outdoor air （ OR =5.147； 95% CI ： 1.272‒20.827） were the risk factors for previous eczema in children. Indoor musty taste increased the risks of urticaria （ OR =4.306； 95% CI ： 1.062‒17.454） and previous eczema （ OR =3.853； 95% CI ： 1.080‒13.743）. The use of cockroach killers indoors increased the risk of rhinitis （ OR =6.102； 95% CI ：1.297‒28.697）. As for infectious diseases， having outdoor pollution sources increased the risk of gastrointestinal infection （ OR =4.937； 95% CI ： 1.050‒23.216）， and the use of mosquito coils and clothing mothproofing agents increased the risks of respiratory （ OR =6.333； 95% CI ： 1.397‒28.714） and gastrointestinal infections （ OR =3.218； 95% CI ： 1.074‒9.644）， respectively. However， we did not find associations between indoor passive smoking and allergic or infectious diseases. Conclusion Except outdoor passive smoking， all the other indoor and outdoor environmental factors increase the risks of children’s allergies and infectious diseases.

Effect of indoor and outdoor environmental factors on allergic and infectious diseases in children / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate the prevalence of allergic and infectious diseases in children， and to assess the influence of indoor and outdoor environmental factors on these two common diseases in children. Methods A questionnaire was used to investigate the prevalence of allergic and infectious diseases in 140 children of 7 years old in Laizhou Bay， Shandong Province. Logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between indoor and outdoor environmental factors and children’s allergic and infectious diseases， respectively. Results The prevalence of previous eczema and other allergic diseases for the past year in children was 37.9% and 15.0%， respectively， and the prevalence of infectious diseases for the past year was 35.7%. As for allergic diseases， eye irritation due to outdoor air （ OR =2.977； 95% CI ： 1.407‒6.296） and nose irritation due to outdoor air （ OR =5.147； 95% CI ： 1.272‒20.827） were the risk factors for previous eczema in children. Indoor musty taste increased the risks of urticaria （ OR =4.306； 95% CI ： 1.062‒17.454） and previous eczema （ OR =3.853； 95% CI ： 1.080‒13.743）. The use of cockroach killers indoors increased the risk of rhinitis （ OR =6.102； 95% CI ：1.297‒28.697）. As for infectious diseases， having outdoor pollution sources increased the risk of gastrointestinal infection （ OR =4.937； 95% CI ： 1.050‒23.216）， and the use of mosquito coils and clothing mothproofing agents increased the risks of respiratory （ OR =6.333； 95% CI ： 1.397‒28.714） and gastrointestinal infections （ OR =3.218； 95% CI ： 1.074‒9.644）， respectively. However， we did not find associations between indoor passive smoking and allergic or infectious diseases. Conclusion Except outdoor passive smoking， all the other indoor and outdoor environmental factors increase the risks of children’s allergies and infectious diseases.

Correlation between the occurrence of allergic rhinitis and indoor environmental quality in Liaoning in 2019 / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To investigate the relationship between the occurrence of allergic rhinitis and indoor environmental quality in Liaoning in 2019. Methods From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, a total of 968 patients with allergic rhinitis admitted to the outpatient department of otolaryngology in our hospital were selected as the case group, and 968 patients with non-allergic rhinitis during the same period were matched as the control group. The influencing factors of allergic rhinitis were analyzed. Results Compared with the control group, the case group had a higher proportion of urban residence. The ratios of people with a history of maternal allergic rhinitis, occupational dust exposure and smoking, residential area 2, residential construction time of 1~3 years, use of carpet flooring, renovation in last 1 year, painted wall surface, air conditioning in winter/summer, enclosed kitchen, no kitchen/ bathroom ventilation fan, visible indoor mold, frequent use of air freshener, ventilation time 100μg/m3 were independent risk factors for allergic rhinitis (P<0.05). Conclusion The occurrence of allergic rhinitis in Liaoning in 2019 was closely related to indoor environmental factors, among which air quality had a greater impact on the disease.

Environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: effect and role of indoor environmental quality in the strategy for COVID-19 infection control

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new zoonotic agent that emerged in December 2019, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This infection can be spread by asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic carriers. SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily via respiratory droplets during close person-to-person contact in a closed space, especially a building. This article summarizes the environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, including a strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a building environment. SARS-CoV-2 can persist on surfaces of fomites for at least 3 days depending on the conditions. If SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized intentionally, it is stable for at least several hours. SARS-CoV-2 is inactivated rapidly on surfaces with sunlight. Close-contact aerosol transmission through smaller aerosolized particles is likely to be combined with respiratory droplets and contact transmission in a confined, crowded, and poorly ventilated indoor environment, as suggested by some cluster cases. Although evidence of the effect of aerosol transmission is limited and uncertainty remains, adequate preventive measures to control indoor environmental quality are required, based on a precautionary approach, because COVID-19 has caused serious global damages to public health, community, and the social economy. The expert panel for COVID-19 in Japan has focused on the "3 Cs," namely, "closed spaces with poor ventilation," "crowded spaces with many people," and "close contact." In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan has been recommending adequate ventilation in all closed spaces in accordance with the existing standards of the Law for Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings as one of the initial political actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, specific standards for indoor environmental quality control have not been recommended and many scientific uncertainties remain regarding the infection dynamics and mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in closed indoor spaces. Further research and evaluation are required regarding the effect and role of indoor environmental quality control, especially ventilation.

Influencia del campo magnético sobre la distribución de los hongos en el aire de un local cerrado / Influence of magnetic field on fungi distribution in the air of a closed local

Los campos eléctricos y magnéticos pueden atraer microorganismos, por lo tanto el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la influencia del campo magnético sobre la distribución de los hongos en el aire de un local cerrado. Se colocaron placas de Petri con agar Extracto de Malta en un local cerrado aplicándose un campo magnético de 10 mT generado por una bobina de 60 Hz/220 V. Se realizó un diseño multifactorial D-óptimo de tres factores (tiempo de exposición al aire, distancia al centro de la bobina y tiempo de tratamiento con campo magnético) y se determinó el recuento de hongos filamentosos en unidades formadoras de colonias por metro cúbico de aire, según el método de sedimentación propuesto por Omeliansky. Se obtuvo un modelo cuadrático en los rangos evaluados, que indicó que el tratamiento aplicado tuvo influencia significativa sobre la distribución de las esporas debido al aumento del recuento de los hongos, cuyo crecimiento resultó estimulado con respecto a los controles. El mayor efecto estimulante se observó a 1 m de distancia de la bobina (0,4 mT) y a 2 h de exposición, alcanzándose concentraciones fúngicas que pudieran ser peligrosas para la salud humana según la Organización Mundial de la Salud.

Electric and magnetic fields can attract microorganisms; based on those premises the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of a magnetic field on the fungi distribution in the air of a closed environment. Uncovered Petri dishes with Malt Extract Agar were placed in a closed area where a magnetic field of 10 mT generated by a coil of 60 Hz / 220 V was applied. A multifactorial D-optimum design considering three elements (air exposure time, distance to the center of the coil and time of magnetic field application) to determine the amount of filamentous fungi, expressed as the number of colony forming units by cubic meter of air, according to the sedimentation method proposed by Omeliansky. A quadratic model of the evaluated ranges was obtained, which indicated that the treatment applied showed significant influence on fungal spore distribution demonstrated by the increased fungal count which growth was stimulated by the treatment applied when compared to the controls. The largest stimulant effect was observed at 1 m of distance from the coil (0.4 mT) and after 2 h of exposure, conditions that permitted the growth of fungal concentrations that could be dangerous for human health according to the World Health Organization.

Effects of Newly Developed LED Lighting on Living Comfort in an Indoor Environment (Part 3) / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: We conducted a clinical study to investigate the effects of newly developed LED lighting on living comfort and work performance in an indoor environment.<br> <b>Design</b>: Sixteen healthy subjects participated in a randomized crossover trial. They performed a mental task (2-back task and ATMT) for 8 hours under newly developed LED lighting or ordinary LED lighting. We evaluated subjective comfort using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and work performance by ATMT. Moreover, we measured changes in the autonomic nervous system by frequency analysis of a-a intervals on accelerated plethysmography (APG) waves to elucidate the mechanism of action.<br> <b>Result</b>: The subjects’ VAS evaluations showed that the newly developed LED lighting increased their comfort and attenuated their fatigue, and ATMT evaluations showed the lighting improved work performance during the mental task period, while APG frequency analysis revealed changes in the parasympathetic nerve system.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: This newly developed LED lighting produces suitable illumination and color temperature and is useful for improving living comfort and performance in an indoor work environment.<br>

Effects of Newly Developed LED Lighting on Living Comfort in an Indoor Environment (Part 2) / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: We conducted a clinical study to investigate the effects of newly developed LED lighting on living comfort in an indoor environment.<br> <b>Design</b>: Twenty healthy subjects participated in a randomized crossover trial. They performed a mental task for 4 hours under ordinary lighting, and then rested for 1 hour under newly developed lighting or ordinary lighting. Sixteen of the subjects (8 males, 8 females) completed the trial. We evaluated subjective comfort using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and measured autonomic nervous system effects by the frequency analysis of a-a intervals on accelerated plethysmography (APG) waves.<br> <b>Result</b>: The subjects’ VAS evaluations showed that the newly developed lighting increased their comfort, while frequency analysis of APG during the rest period was found to activate the parasympathetic nerve system.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: This newly developed LED lighting produces suitable illumination and color temperature and is useful for improving living comfort in an indoor environment during a rest period after daytime work.<br>

Effect of Newly Developed LED Lighting on Improving Sleep Quality and Living Comfort in an Indoor Environment / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objective</b>: In the present study, we conducted a clinical study to investigate the effect of newly developed LED lighting on improving sleep quality and living comfort in an indoor environment.<br> <b>Design</b>: Twelve healthy male subjects, whose Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were ≥5 participated in a randomized crossover trial. On the first day, as a sleep evaluation period, subjects rested from 21:00 to 22:00 under the newly developed lighting or ordinary lighting, went to bed at 22:00 and got up at 7:00. On the second day, as an evaluation period of daytime use, they performed a mental load for 4 hours under each lighting condition. We evaluated the quality of sleep by SLEEP SCAN and the St. Mary’s Hospital sleep questionnaire, and daytime performance by Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic test and advanced trail-making test (ATMT).<br> <b>Result</b>: The newly developed lighting improved the quality of sleep and increased comfortable feelings among participants; moreover, in daytime use, the environment did not induce impaired performance in spite of lower illumination.<br> <b>Conclusion</b>: This newly developed LED lighting produces suitable illumination and color temperature before sleeping and is useful for improving the living comfort in an indoor environment.<br>

Characteristics of Phthalate Esters Pollution in Indoor Settled Dust / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To investigate the pollution of phthalate ester in indoor environment. Methods Settled dust samples from 10 households, 10 offices and 10 student dormitories in Beijing were collected. Seven kinds of phthalate esters in these samples were determined with solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography (SPE-HPLC) .Dates were analyzed statistically by nonparametric tests. Results The main phthalate esters in dust were di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP). Of phthalate esters, DEHP with the range of 28-6 073 mg/kg had the highest concentration in indoor dust. The total level of phthalate esters in households was the highest, offices followed, student dormitories was the last. The Kurskal-Wallis H test showed that the concentrations of BBP, DEHP and DCHP in dust were significantly different in 3 types of rooms (P

Indoor Environment and Childhood Asthma in Ningxia:a Case-Control Study / 环境与健康杂志

Objective To know the risk factors of indoor environment associated with childhood asthmas. Methods Using 1∶1 matched case-control study design,140 cases and 140 age-sex-matched controls from the Affiliated Hospital of Ningxia Medical University were investigated for the indoor environment risk factors,from July 2004 to May 2008. Conditional Logistic regression model was used for data analysis. Results It was revealed in univariate and multivariate conditional Logistic regression analysis that there was significant correlation between using coal for cooking,newly indoor decoration,raising pets and the childhood asthma with odds ratios of 1.67,6.46 and 3.06 respectively(P

Effectiveness of Indoor Environment Management Education for Prevention of Allergic Asthma / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this research is to provide the indoor environment management education program for the asthma patients and their families and then analyze the effectiveness in education preventing allergic asthma. METHODS: A pre-post single group quasi-experimental design was used to provide an education program about correct indoor environment management to a total of 58 households (29 patient households and 29 normal households). The performance rate of correct indoor environment management procedure, amount of house dust mite antigen, allergy subjective symptoms score and knowledge score about indoor environment management were compared before and after the education to test the effectiveness of the education. RESULTS: Home-visit education in this research had effects in improving subject households' performance rate of indoor environment management procedures, reducing the amount of house dust mite antigen - an important inducing factor of allergy, and reducing perceived subjective symptoms of allergy.

Fungi in Indoor Environment / 대한의진균학회지

The characters of modern buildings such as higher airtightness, frequent usage of artificial materials and artificial air conditionings provide suitable conditions for flourishing of microorganisms, especially fungi. Indoor fungi could produce unacceptable musty smells and cause structural damage of building. But the more serious effects are the threatening on human health. They could provoke several allergic diseases, sick building syndrome, organic dust toxic syndrome, and could be the important causative agents of infectious diseases in the immunocompromized host. This paper review the characters, physiology, epidemiology and isolation techniques of the indoor fungi to provide the basic ideas to control the indoor fungi.

Aerosol Concentration and Size Distribution in Room Environment Effected by Smoke of Mosquito-Repellent Incense / 环境与健康杂志

In this report, smoke Producoed by common mosquito-repellent incense and electric heating mosquito(-)repellent incense was compare tested by the PC-2 model aerosol Particle analytical instrument made in California Measurements, in. U S A Aerosol of mosquito-repellent incense was analytical studied on aerosol size distribution and its Pouution level. The result showed that greater part particles pro-ducted by mosquito-repellent incense are less than 2 um small particle. Aerosol pollution in house caused by electric heating mosquito-repellent ineense is not notable. But aerosol pollution in house caused by C-mon mosquito-rpellent incense is very serious.