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Sahlberg, Bo
Publications (5 of 5) Show all publications
Sahlberg, B., Gunnbjörnsdottir, M., Soon, A., Jõgi, R., Gislason, T., Wieslander, G., . . . Norbäck, D. (2013). Airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS). Science of the Total Environment, 444, 433-440
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS)
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2013 (English)In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 444, p. 433-440Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

There are few studies on associations between airborne microbial exposure, formaldehyde, plasticizers in dwellings and the symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS). As a follow-up of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II), indoor measurements were performed in homes in three North European cities. The aim was to examine whether volatile organic compounds of possible microbial origin (MVOCs), and airborne levels of bacteria, molds, formaldehyde, and two plasticizers in dwellings were associated with the prevalence of SBS, and to study associations between MVOCs and reports on dampness and mold.The study included homes from three centers included in ECRHS II. A total of 159 adults (57% females) participated (19% from Reykjavik, 40% from Uppsala, and 41% from Tartu). A random sample and additional homes with a history of dampness were included. Exposure measurements were performed in the 159 homes of the participants. MVOCs were analyzed by GCMS with selective ion monitoring (SIM). Symptoms were reported in a standardized questionnaire. Associations were analyzed by multiple logistic regression.In total 30.8% reported any SBS (20% mucosal, 10% general, and 8% dermal symptoms) and 41% of the homes had a history of dampness and molds There were positive associations between any SBS and levels of 2-pentanol (P=0.002), 2-hexanone (P=0.0002), 2-pentylfuran (P=0.009), 1-octen-3-ol (P=0.002), formaldehyde (P=0.05), and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (Texanol) (P=0.05). 1-octen-3-ol (P=0.009) and 3-methylfuran (P=0.002) were associated with mucosal symptoms. In dwellings with dampness and molds, the levels of total bacteria (P=0.02), total mold (P=0.04), viable mold (P=0.02), 3-methylfuran (P=0.008) and ethyl-isobutyrate (P=0.02) were higher.In conclusion, some MVOCs like 1-octen-3-ol, formaldehyde and the plasticizer Texanol, may be a risk factor for sick building syndrome. Moreover, concentrations of airborne molds, bacteria and some other MVOCs were slightly higher in homes with reported dampness and mold.

Keywords
Dampness, Dwelling, Indoor environment, Microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), Mold, Sick building syndrome (SBS)
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-194852 (URN)10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.10.114 (DOI)000316240200048 ()
Available from: 2013-02-20 Created: 2013-02-19 Last updated: 2017-12-06Bibliographically approved
Zhang, X., Sahlberg, B., Wieslander, G., Janson, C., Gislason, T. & Norbäck, D. (2012). Dampness and moulds in workplace buildings: Associations with incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS) and biomarkers of inflammation in a 10 year follow-up study. Science of the Total Environment, 430, 75-81
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Dampness and moulds in workplace buildings: Associations with incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS) and biomarkers of inflammation in a 10 year follow-up study
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2012 (English)In: Science of the Total Environment, ISSN 0048-9697, E-ISSN 1879-1026, Vol. 430, p. 75-81Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

There are few longitudinal studies on health effects of dampness and moulds in workplace buildings. We studied associations between dampness and indoor moulds in workplace buildings and selected biomarkers as well as incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS). The study was based on a ten-year prospective study (1992-2002) in a random sample of adults (N=429) from the Uppsala part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The 10-year incidence (onset) of general, mucosal, dermal symptoms and any symptom improved when away from the workplace (work-related symptoms) was 7.2%, 11.6%, 6.4% and 9.4% respectively. The 10-year remission of general, mucosal, dermal symptoms and work-related symptoms was 71.4%, 57.1%, 70.4% and 72.2% respectively. Signs of dampness in the floor construction in any workplace building during follow up (cumulative exposure) was associated with incidence of mucosal symptoms (OR=2.43). Cumulative exposure to moldy odor was associated with incidence of work-related symptoms (OR=2.69). Cumulative exposure to dampness or moulds was associated with decreased remission of work-related symptoms (OR=0.20 for water leakage, OR=0.17 for floor dampness, and OR=0.17 for visible indoor mould growth). Working in a building repaired because of dampness (repaired building) or mould was associated with decreased remission of work-related symptoms (OR=0.32). Any dampness or moulds at baseline in the workplace building was associated with increased bronchial responsiveness (BR) and higher levels of Eosinphilic Cationic Protein (ECP) in serum and Eosinophilic counts in blood at baseline. Cumulative exposure to dampness and moulds, and work in a repaired building, was associated with increased BR at follow-up. In general, dampness and moulds in the workplace building is associated with increased incidence and decreased remission of SBS, as well as increased bronchial responsiveness and eosinophilic inflammation.

Keywords
Building dampness, Eosinophilic inflammation, Indoor environment, Moulds, Occupational exposure, Sick building syndrome (SBS)
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-180284 (URN)10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.04.040 (DOI)000306583700009 ()
Available from: 2012-09-03 Created: 2012-09-03 Last updated: 2017-12-07Bibliographically approved
Sahlberg, B. (2012). Indoor Environment in Dwellings and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): Longitudinal Studies. (Doctoral dissertation). Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Indoor Environment in Dwellings and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): Longitudinal Studies
2012 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

People spend most of their time indoors and mostly in the dwelling. It is therefore important to investigate associations between indoor exposure in dwellings and health. Symptoms that may be related to the indoor environment are sometimes referred to as the "sick building syndrome" (SBS). SBS involves symptoms such as eye, skin and upper airway irritation, headache and fatigue. Three longitudinal studies and one prevalence study on personal and environmental risk factors for SBS in adults were performed. The prevalence study included measurements of indoor exposures in the dwellings. The longitudinal studies, with 8-10 years follow-up time, showed that smoking and indoor paint emissions were risk factors for SBS. Moreover, building dampness and moulds in dwellings were risk factors for onset (incidence) of general symptoms, skin symptoms and mucosal symptoms. In addition subjects living in damp dwellings have a lower remission of general symptoms and skin symptoms. Hay fever was a risk factor for onset of skin symptoms and mucosal symptoms, and asthma was a risk factor for onset of general and mucosal symptoms. Biomarkers of allergy and inflammation (bronchial reactivity, total IgE, ECP and eosinophil count) were predictors of onset of SBS symptoms, in particular mucosal symptoms. In the prevalence study, any SBS-symptom was associated with some individual volatile organic compounds of possible microbial origin (MVOC) e.g. 2-pentanol, 2-hexanon, 2-pentylfuran and 1-octen-3ol. Moreover, there were associations between indoor levels of formaldehyde and the plasticizer Texanol and any SBS. The result from the study indicates that individual MVOC are better indicators of SBS than the total value of MVOC. A final conclusion is that smoking, dampness and moulds and emissions from indoor painting may increase the onset of SBS. The indoor environment in dwellings over time has improved, but there is still a need for further improvements of the indoor environment in dwellings. More longitudinal SBS studies are needed.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Uppsala: Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis, 2012. p. 63
Series
Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, ISSN 1651-6206 ; 783
Keywords
Indoor environment, sick building syndrome (SBS), dwelling, longitudinal cohort study, building dampness, mould, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), biomarkers, asthma, risk factors
National Category
Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Research subject
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-172769 (URN)978-91-554-8393-7 (ISBN)
Public defence
2012-06-13, Frödingsalen, Ulleråkersvägen 40, Uppsala, 13:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2012-05-23 Created: 2012-04-13 Last updated: 2018-01-12Bibliographically approved
Sahlberg, B., Norbäck, D., Wieslander, G., Gislason, T. & Janson, C. (2012). Onset of mucosal, dermal, and general symptoms in relation to biomarkers and exposures in the dwelling: a cohort study from 1992 to 2002. Indoor Air, 22(4), 331-338
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Onset of mucosal, dermal, and general symptoms in relation to biomarkers and exposures in the dwelling: a cohort study from 1992 to 2002
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2012 (English)In: Indoor Air, ISSN 0905-6947, E-ISSN 1600-0668, Vol. 22, no 4, p. 331-338Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

We examined the associations between biomarkers of allergy and inflammation, indoor environment in dwellings, and incidence and remission of symptoms included in the sick building syndrome (SBS) and changes in the home environment of 452 adults who were followed from 1992 to 2002 within the Uppsala part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). The 10-year incidence (onset) of general, mucosal, and dermal symptoms was 8.5%, 12.7%, and 6.8%, respectively. Dampness or indoor molds at baseline was a predictor of incidence of general (relative risk [RR] = 1.98), mucosal (RR = 2.28), and dermal symptoms (RR = 1.91). Women had higher incidence of general (RR = 1.74) and mucosal symptoms (RR = 1.71). Indoor painting increased the incidence of general symptoms (RR = 1.62). Bronchial responsiveness (BR), eosinophil counts in blood, total IgE and eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) in serum at baseline were predictors of incidence of SBS. At follow-up, BR, total IgE, and C-reactive protein (CRP ) were associated with increased incidence of SBS. Moreover, subjects with doctor-diagnosed asthma at baseline had a higher incidence of general (RR = 1.65) and mucosal symptoms (RR = 1.97). In conclusion, female gender, dampness or indoor molds, indoor painting, and biomarkers of allergy and inflammation were associated with a higher incidence of SBS symptoms, in particular mucosal symptoms.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
John Wiley & Sons, 2012
Keywords
Biomarkers, Indoor environment, Longitudinal cohort study, Asthma, Sick building syndrome (SBS), Dwelling
National Category
Occupational Health and Environmental Health
Research subject
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-172535 (URN)10.1111/j.1600-0668.2012.00766.x (DOI)000306223500008 ()22257085 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2012-04-11 Created: 2012-04-11 Last updated: 2018-01-12Bibliographically approved
Andréasson, S. N., Anundi, H., Sahlberg, B., Ericsson, C.-G., Wålinder, R., Enlund, G., . . . Mahteme, H. (2008). Peritonectomy with high voltage electrocautery generates higher levels of ultrafine smoke particles. European Journal of Surgical Oncology, 35(7), 780-784
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Peritonectomy with high voltage electrocautery generates higher levels of ultrafine smoke particles
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2008 (English)In: European Journal of Surgical Oncology, ISSN 0748-7983, E-ISSN 1532-2157, Vol. 35, no 7, p. 780-784Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

BACKGROUND: To adequately perform peritonectomy, the use of an electrocautery device at a high voltage is recommended. The aim of this study was to analyse the amount of airborne and ultrafine particles (UFP) generated during peritonectomy and to compare this with standard colon and rectal cancer surgery (CRC). METHOD: UFP was measured approximately 2-3cm from the breathing area of the surgeon (personal sampling) and 3m from where the electrocautery smoke was generated (stationary sampling) from 14 consecutive peritonectomy procedures and 11 standard CRC resections. The sampling was by P-Trak UFP counter that has the capacity to detect particle size ranging from 0.02 to 1mum. RESULTS: The cumulative level of UFP of personal sampling in the peritonectomy group was higher (9.3x10(6)particle/ml/h (pt/ml/h)) than in the control group (4.8x10(5)pt/ml/h). A higher cumulative level of UFP in stationary sampling was observed in the PC group (2.6x10(6) pt/ml/h) than in the control group (3.9x10(4)pt/ml/h). CONCLUSION: Peritonectomy procedure with high voltage electrocautery generates elevated levels of UFP than standard CRC surgery does. The level of UFP produced by a peritonectomy is comparable to cigarette smoking. More efficient smoke evacuator systems are needed in order to reduce the levels of UFP generated during electrocautery surgery.

Keywords
Peritonectomy, Peritoneal carcinomatosis, Ultrafine particles, Occupational
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-88197 (URN)10.1016/j.ejso.2008.09.002 (DOI)000267301700018 ()18922668 (PubMedID)
Available from: 2009-01-23 Created: 2009-01-23 Last updated: 2017-12-14Bibliographically approved
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