Levels of endotoxin in 390 Swedish homes: determinants and the risk for respiratory symptoms in children.

View Abstract

Endotoxins are microbiological agents which ubiquitously exist in an indoor environment, and are believed to be causal agents for a number of diseases. This study investigated the indoor levels and determinants of endotoxins and their impact on asthma and allergy diseases among Swedish pre-school children. House dust samples from 390 homes of 198 case children with asthma and allergy and 202 healthy control children were collected in the Dampness Building and Health (DBH) study. House dust endotoxin levels in the child's bedroom and living rooms ranged from 479-188,000 EU/g dust and from 138-942,000 EU/g dust, respectively. Pet-keeping and agricultural activities were significantly associated with the higher endotoxin concentration levels in indoor dust. Endotoxins in theindoor environment did not associate to asthma and allergy diseases in the children. However, we found an association between endotoxins and the presence of disease symptoms in the sub-group of families without indoor pets.

Investigators
Abbreviation
Int J Environ Health Res
Publication Date
2011-06-27
Volume
22
Issue
1
Page Numbers
22-36
Pubmed ID
21707246
Medium
Print-Electronic
Full Title
Levels of endotoxin in 390 Swedish homes: determinants and the risk for respiratory symptoms in children.
Authors
Moniruzzaman S, Hägerhed Engman L, James P, Sigsgaard T, Thorne PS, Sundell J, Bornehag CG