| Study in Indoor Air by Kim et al in Sweden about asthma, respiratory symptoms, dietary factors, and allergens in dust in schools |
Kim JL, Elfman L, Mi Y, Johansson M, Smedje G, Norback D. 2005. Current asthma and respiratory symptoms among pupils in relation to dietary factors and allergens in the school environment. Indoor Air, 15 (3): 170-82.
This was a study of 1014 students ages 5-14 in eight schools in mid-Sweden who completed a health survey (68% of target study population participated). Settled dust samples were analyzed for the presence (above method detection limits) and levels of cat, dog, dust mite, cockroach, and horse allergens. In this study, only about one in four classrooms had average measured carbon dioxide levels that suggested inadequate ventilation; measured allergens were likely transported on clothes from home.
About 6% of participants reported current asthma, about 8% reported doctor-diagnosed asthma ever, and about 8% reported wheezing.
Measured levels of horse allergen and of dog allergen were statistically significantly associated with more reported wheezing and reported breathelessness. Measured levels of horse allergen were also statistically significantly associated with current asthma and atopic sensitization. Current asthma was statistically signifcantly less common among study children who ate more fresh milk and fish. In addition, associations between the allergens and reported respiratory symptoms were relatively stronger among study children reported eating more margarine and less milk; the fat contents of these products were not explicitly stated.
For more information, please read the study abstract and/or full-text, if available to your institution directly or through a library, at:
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0668.2005.00334.x?cookieSet=1 |
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| Date posted: 05-16-2005 |
| Posted by: Community Action to Fight Asthma |
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