Eczema Increases Susceptibility to PM₁₀ in Office Indoor Environments

ABSTRACT

The objective was to compare impact of indoor office environment on employees with eczema with those without eczema. Exposure was measured at 56 sites and modelled for 173 work places. Tear film stability, lysozyme in nasal lavage, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and Phadiatop were assessed, and symptoms and perceptions collected by questionnaires. Multiple regression analyses were applied, adjusted for age, gender, strain, current smoking, and respiratory infections. Those with eczema perceived temperature too high but not associated with measured temperature. They had increased lysozyme in nasal lavage associated with increased air temperature difference between 6 and 10 am, more general and mucosal symptoms, and “dry or flushed facial skin” associated with airborne particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM₁₀). Impact of PM₁₀ was most pronounced among those with eczema previous 30 days. Having eczema might be an important predictor for subjective and objective responses to indoor environment.

KEYWORDS:

• atopy
• eczema
• indoor environment
• lysozyme
• occupational medicine
• PM₁₀

Acknowledgments

The project has been made possible thanks to those participating in the study, grants from UNI Fond, a scholarship from the Norwegian Research Council, and support from the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.