A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Assessment of airborne exposures and health in flooded homes undergoing renovation
Abstract In June 2008, the Cedar River crested flooding more than 5000 Cedar Rapids homes. Residents whose homes were flooded were invited to participate in this study. Household assessments and resident interviews were conducted between November 2008 and April 2009. We characterized exposures and symptoms experienced by individuals inhabiting 73 flood‐damaged homes. Active air sampling and passive electrostatic dust collectors were used to assess exposures to culturable mold, culturable bacteria, fungal spores, inhalable particulate matter (iPM), endotoxin, glucans, allergens, lead, asbestos, radon, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Wall moisture levels and relative humidity were also measured. Exposures and questionnaire‐based health assessments were compared at two levels of remediation, in‐progress and completed. Homes with remediation in‐progress (N = 24), as compared to the completed homes (N = 49), had significantly higher airborne concentrations of mold, bacteria, iPM, endotoxin, and glucan. Residents of in‐progress homes had a significantly higher prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed allergies (adjusted OR = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.05, 9.02) and all residents had elevated prevalence of self‐reported wheeze (adjusted OR = 3.77; 95% CI: 2.06, 6.92) and prescription medication use for breathing problems (adjusted OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.88) after the flood as compared to before. Proper post‐flood remediation led to improved air quality and lower exposures among residents living in flooded homes. The number and severity of floods is on the rise, and health departments need evidence‐based information to advise homeowners on recovery after such disasters. Our study suggests that proper remediation of flood‐damaged homes can reduce bioaerosols to acceptable levels but exposures are significantly increased while remediation is in‐progress leading to an increased burden of allergy and allergic rhinitis.
Assessment of airborne exposures and health in flooded homes undergoing renovation
Abstract In June 2008, the Cedar River crested flooding more than 5000 Cedar Rapids homes. Residents whose homes were flooded were invited to participate in this study. Household assessments and resident interviews were conducted between November 2008 and April 2009. We characterized exposures and symptoms experienced by individuals inhabiting 73 flood‐damaged homes. Active air sampling and passive electrostatic dust collectors were used to assess exposures to culturable mold, culturable bacteria, fungal spores, inhalable particulate matter (iPM), endotoxin, glucans, allergens, lead, asbestos, radon, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Wall moisture levels and relative humidity were also measured. Exposures and questionnaire‐based health assessments were compared at two levels of remediation, in‐progress and completed. Homes with remediation in‐progress (N = 24), as compared to the completed homes (N = 49), had significantly higher airborne concentrations of mold, bacteria, iPM, endotoxin, and glucan. Residents of in‐progress homes had a significantly higher prevalence of doctor‐diagnosed allergies (adjusted OR = 3.08; 95% CI: 1.05, 9.02) and all residents had elevated prevalence of self‐reported wheeze (adjusted OR = 3.77; 95% CI: 2.06, 6.92) and prescription medication use for breathing problems (adjusted OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.88) after the flood as compared to before. Proper post‐flood remediation led to improved air quality and lower exposures among residents living in flooded homes. The number and severity of floods is on the rise, and health departments need evidence‐based information to advise homeowners on recovery after such disasters. Our study suggests that proper remediation of flood‐damaged homes can reduce bioaerosols to acceptable levels but exposures are significantly increased while remediation is in‐progress leading to an increased burden of allergy and allergic rhinitis.
Assessment of airborne exposures and health in flooded homes undergoing renovation
Hoppe, K. A. (author) / Metwali, N. (author) / Perry, S. S. (author) / Hart, T. (author) / Kostle, P. A. (author) / Thorne, P. S. (author)
Indoor Air ; 22 ; 446-456
2012-12-01
11 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Assessment of airborne exposures and health in flooded homes undergoing renovation
| Online Contents | 2012
Floor renovation handles tough exposures
British Library Online Contents | 1999
Building renovation passports: customised roadmaps towards deep renovation and better homes
| TIBKAT | 2016
Pentagon undergoing a five-phase renovation
Online Contents | 1998
Pentagon undergoing a five-phase renovation
British Library Online Contents | 1998