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A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Office characteristics and dry eye complaints in European workers–The OFFICAIR study
Abstract Objectives Ocular discomfort is a prevalent health complaint in offices. It is hypothesized that, in addition to individual and occupational factors, the buildings' indoor environment may affect eye complaints. However, insight in potential building-related causal factors, needed to allow development of effective prevention strategies in building design, operation and maintenance is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relations between modern office building characteristics and dry eye complaints. Methods Comprehensive characteristics of 167 office buildings in eight European countries, were linked to questionnaire data from 7441 office workers. Multilevel modeling was applied to explore relations between building characteristics and self-reported dry eye complaints, in a cross-sectional study. Results Among office workers investigated, 34% declared dry eye complaints during the past four weeks. Majority of workers (91.2%) experiencing these symptoms, reported improvement on days away from the office. After full adjustment, the regression model revealed a significant increased risk for: proximity (<100 m) to potential sources of outdoor air pollution (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06–1.88), absence of operable windows (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.34–2.16), portable humidifiers in the offices (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.18–2.11), exposed concrete and/or plaster (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.02–1.62) and dispersion and/or emulsion paint as wall covering in offices (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41). A negative association was found for cleaning surfaces at least once per week (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61–0.91). Conclusions Building characteristics were associated with dry eye complaints of office workers. Focused studies are recommended to investigate underlying causes to prevent these symptoms.
Highlights Prevalence and office building-related factors associated with dry eye symptoms were investigated in a large European study. About one third of office workers reported dry eye symptoms, varying in prevalence between buildings and across countries. The majority of office workers experiencing these symptoms, reported an improvement on days away from the office. Nearby air pollution sources, non-operable windows, humidifiers, wall coverings were linked to an increased risk of dry eyes. Cleaning surfaces at least once per week was negatively associated with dry eye complaints.
Office characteristics and dry eye complaints in European workers–The OFFICAIR study
Abstract Objectives Ocular discomfort is a prevalent health complaint in offices. It is hypothesized that, in addition to individual and occupational factors, the buildings' indoor environment may affect eye complaints. However, insight in potential building-related causal factors, needed to allow development of effective prevention strategies in building design, operation and maintenance is limited. This study aimed to investigate the relations between modern office building characteristics and dry eye complaints. Methods Comprehensive characteristics of 167 office buildings in eight European countries, were linked to questionnaire data from 7441 office workers. Multilevel modeling was applied to explore relations between building characteristics and self-reported dry eye complaints, in a cross-sectional study. Results Among office workers investigated, 34% declared dry eye complaints during the past four weeks. Majority of workers (91.2%) experiencing these symptoms, reported improvement on days away from the office. After full adjustment, the regression model revealed a significant increased risk for: proximity (<100 m) to potential sources of outdoor air pollution (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06–1.88), absence of operable windows (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.34–2.16), portable humidifiers in the offices (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.18–2.11), exposed concrete and/or plaster (OR: 1.29, 95% CI 1.02–1.62) and dispersion and/or emulsion paint as wall covering in offices (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.01–1.41). A negative association was found for cleaning surfaces at least once per week (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61–0.91). Conclusions Building characteristics were associated with dry eye complaints of office workers. Focused studies are recommended to investigate underlying causes to prevent these symptoms.
Highlights Prevalence and office building-related factors associated with dry eye symptoms were investigated in a large European study. About one third of office workers reported dry eye symptoms, varying in prevalence between buildings and across countries. The majority of office workers experiencing these symptoms, reported an improvement on days away from the office. Nearby air pollution sources, non-operable windows, humidifiers, wall coverings were linked to an increased risk of dry eyes. Cleaning surfaces at least once per week was negatively associated with dry eye complaints.
Office characteristics and dry eye complaints in European workers–The OFFICAIR study
de Kluizenaar, Yvonne (author) / Roda, Célina (author) / Dijkstra, Nienke Elske (author) / Fossati, Serena (author) / Mandin, Corinne (author) / Mihucz, Victor G. (author) / Hänninen, Otto (author) / de Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo (author) / Silva, Gabriela V. (author) / Carrer, Paolo (author)
Building and Environment ; 102 ; 54-63
2016-03-12
10 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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