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[Changes in the immunological reactivity of young children attending nursery schools with polymer floor covering]
Insights
Synthetic flooring in kindergartens is linked to increased childhood illness. Children in these environments showed higher immunoglobulin levels and nearly double the morbidity rates, particularly for respiratory infections, compared to those with wood flooring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Immunology
- Building Materials Science
Background:
- Investigating the health impact of synthetic flooring in early childhood environments.
- Assessing the relationship between indoor materials and children's immune system responses.
- Understanding the role of microclimate and electrostatic fields in health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the adverse effect rate of synthetic flooring properties on children's immunological reactivity.
- To compare the health status and immunological markers of children exposed to synthetic versus wood flooring.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 429 children (3-5 years) in kindergartens with synthetic (n=203) versus wood (n=226) flooring.
- Serum immunoglobulin (IgG, IgA, IgM) levels measured using radial immunodiffusion.
- Monitoring of microclimatic parameters and electrostatic field.
Main Results:
- Children in kindergartens with synthetic flooring exhibited approximately double the morbidity rate compared to the control group.
- Elevated serum immunoglobulin levels correlated with increased illness in the synthetic flooring group.
- Acute respiratory infections and tonsillitis were the most prevalent illnesses, linked to poor thermoprotective properties of synthetic flooring exacerbated by electrostatic fields.
Conclusions:
- Synthetic flooring properties, particularly under electrostatic field influence, negatively impact children's immune responses and increase susceptibility to infections.
- Findings support the need for preventive health measures to protect children's well-being in environments with synthetic materials.
- Recommendations for promoting the health of the younger generation through improved indoor environments.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to make investigations for establishing the unfavourable effect rate of some of the properties of the synthetic floorings on the immunological reactivity of the organism of children. The health status of 429 children, age 3-5 years from 3 kindergartens in Sofia is traced in dynamic: the control group of 226, attending kindergartens with wood floorings and 203--the test group--attending kindergartens with polymeric floorings. The serum levels of immunoglobulins IgG, IgA, IgM are determined after the radial immunodiffusion method of Maucini. Measures are performed on the microclimatic parameters and electrostatic field as well. The results points out that the morbidity if the test group children is about twice higher in comparison with that of the control group, which correlates with the raised concentrations of the immunoglobulin serum levels. The highest morbidity is from acute respiratory infections and tonsillitis, as a consequence from the deteriorated thermoprotective properties of the synthetic floorings, potentiated under the electrostatic field effect. The results will serve the carrying out of preventive measures for health state promotion of the rising generation.