2017
Yes
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969716323294?via%3Dihub
Norback, Dan
Asia
Observational
Epidemiology Study
Students
Middle/Jr High (6-8)
Dust
Fungi
Respiratory symptoms
Fungal dna
Building dampness
School environment
Asthma
Mold
Children
Totally 10.3% reported doctor's diagnosed asthma, 15.1% current wheeze, 12.4% current asthma, 37.3% daytime breathlessness, 10.2% nocturnal breathlessness, 38.9% airway infections and 15.5% had pollen or furry pet allergy. The geometric mean of FeNO was 19.9 ppb and 45% had elevated FeNO (> 20 ppb ). Boys had higher levels ofFeNO. Chinese had less daytime breathlessness than Malay (OR= 0.30: p < 0.001 ). Indoor carbon dioxide levels were low (380-720 ppm). Dampness was observed in 18% of the classrooms and was associated with respiratory infections (OR= 3.70; 95% CI 1.14-12.1) and FeNO (p = 0.04).Aspergil/us versicolor DNA was detected in 67% of the classrooms. Higher numbers of Aspergil/us versicolor DNA in classroom dust were associated with wheeze (p = 0.006), current asthma (p = 0.002), respiratory infections (p = 0.005) and elevated FeNO levels (p = 0.02).