Exploration of the effects of classroom humidity levels on teachers' respiratory symptoms.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Previous studies indicate that teachers have higher asthma prevalence than other non-industrial worker groups. Schools frequently have trouble maintaining indoor relative humidity (RH) within the optimum range (30-50 %) for reducing allergens and irritants. However, the potential relationship between classroom humidity and teachers' health has not been explored. Thus, we examined the relationship between classroom humidity levels and respiratory symptoms among North Carolina teachers.

Methods

Teachers (n = 122) recorded daily symptoms, while data-logging hygrometers recorded classroom RH levels in ten North Carolina schools. We examined effects of indoor humidity on occurrence of symptoms using modified Poisson regression models for correlated binary data.

Results

SUBMITTER: Angelon-Gaetz KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4873430 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature