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Sick-building symptoms in office workers in northeastern France: a pilot study
D B Teculescu1, E A Sauleau, N Massin
1Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Vandoeuvre, France. teculesc@u420.nancy.inserm.fr
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
|September 28, 1998
Summary
Sick building syndrome symptoms were confirmed in French office workers exposed to air conditioning. New confounding factors, including DIY activities and family respiratory history, were identified.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Environmental Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a complex health issue affecting occupants of modern buildings.
- Air conditioning systems have been implicated in SBS, but confounding factors require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the presence of SBS symptoms in French office workers.
- To identify novel confounding factors contributing to SBS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study comparing air-conditioned (n=425) and naturally ventilated (n=351) office buildings.
- Objective measurements of environmental factors (temperature, humidity, microbial counts).
- Standardized questionnaires assessing symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle.
Main Results:
- Exposure to air conditioning was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of SBS symptoms (ORs 1.54–2.84).
- Increased sickness absence was observed in air-conditioned office workers.
- Logistic regression identified family history of respiratory diseases and do-it-yourself activities as new independent determinants of symptoms.
Conclusions:
- SBS symptoms are prevalent among French office workers exposed to air conditioning.
- Family history of respiratory diseases and do-it-yourself activities are significant, previously undescribed, confounding factors for SBS.
