Effects of dust from water damaged buildings

Three groups each of 9 persons were exposed in a climate chamber according to the same protocol based on a 3x3 Latin Square design (cross-over design). The exposure duration was 3 hours. The study was double blinded. The three exposures were Clean air (41 :g/m(3) TSP), 121 Phi g/m(3) (TSP) house dust (from buildings with water damages), and 140 Phi g/m(3) (TSP) house dust (from buildings without water damages). The study included a PC administered questionnaire and time cause registrations of general irritation. The study indicates that dust exposures in the range of 121 to 140 Phi g/m(3) for 3 hours reduce the air quality in the buildings. No irritation or odour effects were observed and water damages in the buildings did not change the potency of the dust to decrease the air quality The observed significant effects should be considered indicative until they have been replicated in independent experiments.