Water and hydration in the workplace *
Jamie Bartram, Rachel Baum, Peter A. Coclanis, David M. Gute, David Kay, Stéphanie McFadyen, Katherine Pond, William Robertson, Michael J. Rouse in Routledge Handbook of Water and Health, 2015
When workers suspect their health problems are caused by exposure to building-related dampness or mold, they should report concerns immediately to supervisors or those persons responsible for building maintenance. Management must respond to these concerns and provide maintenance and monitoring including:Regularly inspect building areas for evidence of dampness; take prompt steps to identify and correct the causes of any dampness problems found.Prevent high indoor humidity through the proper design and operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.Dry any porous building materials that have become wet from leaks or flooding within 48 hours.Clean and repair or replace any building materials that are moisture-damaged or show evidence of visible mold growth.Encourage occupants who have developed persistent or worsening respiratory symptoms while working in the building to see a health care provider.Follow health care provider recommendations for relocation of occupants diagnosed with building-related respiratory disease.
Effects of Food Processing, Storage, and Cooking on Nutrients in Plant-Based Foods
Nicole M. Farmer, Andres Victor Ardisson Korat in Cooking for Health and Disease Prevention, 2022
Long-term storage of grains: Once dried, cereal grains may be stored for several months in concrete silos. It is essential to carefully control the moisture and temperature of the grains with proper ventilation. Additionally, leaks should be avoided to prevent external moisture to enter the silo and increase the moisture content of the grains. Mold growth and insects are the main risks to which grains are exposed during long-term storage. Thus, proper handling procedures are required to avoid crop losses or damage of product integrity. Suitable conditions for mold growth are present when the moisture content of the cereal is above 14.5% in a relatively wide range of storage temperatures. A few examples of molds and their associated crop and health-related effects include Aspergillus species, which require cereal moisture content ranging from 15% to 20% and may damage germination and cause slow heating of the product, and Penicillium species, which may produce mycotoxins under the appropriate moisture and temperature.
Rhinitis
Pudupakkam K Vedanthan, Harold S Nelson, Shripad N Agashe, PA Mahesh, Rohit Katial in Textbook of Allergy for the Clinician, 2021
Every indoor environment has some mold present and moisture control is the key to mold growth control. Therefore, for indoor mold sensitivity, we recommend keeping the relative humidity indoors below 50%, covering cold surfaces such as water pipes with insulation and increasing the air temperature. Visible mold can be remediated using several simple measures. The least expensive and most effective means of removing surface mold involves scrubbing contaminated nonporous hard surfaces with detergent and water and then drying the area completely. Disinfectants or biocides, such as a diluted chlorine bleach solution are not usually necessary. Any contaminated areas in which mold has embedded itself, such as a porous wall, floor, carpet or upholstered area, need to be removed or replaced. A certified industrial hygienist is preferred if professional remediation is required.
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in students in Northern Thailand: associations with respiratory symptoms, diagnosed allergy and the home environment
Published in Journal of Asthma, 2022
Tippawan Prapamontol, Dan Norbäck, Nathaporn Thongjan, Neeranuch Suwannarin, Kawinwut Somsunun, Pitakchon Ponsawansong, Tosabhorn Khuanpan, Sawaeng Kawichai, Warangkana Naksen
In our study, visible indoor mold was negatively associated FeNO (protective). Previous studies have found different associations between indoor mold and FeNO. Five studies did not find any association between visible mold in homes and FeNO (14,16,28,30,31). However, studies measuring specific microbial agents have reported that exposure to endotoxin (17), the gram positive soil bacteria Streptomyces sp. (18) and higher alpha-diversity of mold species in homes (32) can be associated with lower FeNO while exposure to the molds Aspergillus fumigatus (33) and Aspergillus versicolor (29) can be associated with higher FeNO. One study found that outdoor air concentration of Cladosporium spores was associated with higher FeNO, but only in subjects sensitized to this mold (34). Thus, the effect of indoor microbial growth on FeNO can depend on types of mold and bacteria species and more detailed studies on household microbial exposure in Thailand and FeNO are needed.
Onset of respiratory symptoms among Chinese students: associations with dampness and redecoration, PM10, NO2, SO2 and inadequate ventilation in the school
Published in Journal of Asthma, 2020
Tian Li, Xin Zhang, Chenghuan Li, Xu Bai, Zhuohui Zhao, Dan Norback
There were yes/no questions on redecoration or indoor painting, dampness or mold and ETS in the current home. One dampness question asked: Have you noticed any water damage or floor dampness in your dwelling during the past 12 months? Another question asked: Have you noticed any indoor mold in your dwelling during the past 12 months? They were merged into one yes/no variable (dampness or mold at home). One question asked: Have you bought new furniture or renovated your dwelling during past 12 months? Another question asked: Have you painted your dwelling (indoor) during past 12 months? They were merged into one yes/no variable (redecoration or painting at home). The ETS question asked: Does anyone in your family smoke? Initially, we analyzed associations between the three exposure variables reported at baseline and onset of symptoms. In addition, we analyzed health association for being ever exposed at home (at baseline or follow-up) comparing with never exposed (neither at baseline nor at follow-up).
Early-life exposure to air pollution and childhood allergic diseases: an update on the link and its implications
Published in Expert Review of Clinical Immunology, 2020
Chan Lu, Dan Norbäck, Yuguo Li, Qihong Deng
Indoor air pollution is another important environmental factor related to the development of childhood allergies [19,20]. Due to the rapid urbanization in China over the past few decades, a large number of people, especially new couples and expecting parents, moved into new buildings in urban areas [21,22]. New building materials, decoration materials, and new furniture may greatly increase the levels of indoor chemicals, including volatile- and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs and SVOCs), which are associated with allergic diseases [23–25]. Due to a lack of central air-conditioning and heating systems, mold and dampness in dwellings are common, particularly in southern China with a subtropical climate. Indoor mold and dampness are associated with allergy risk [20,26,27]. Thus, indoor environmental pollution is also serious in China and may play an important role in the development of childhood allergies [20,28].
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