Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
British scientists have proposed that gender differences in symptom
prevalence may be due to the tendency of males to underreport symptoms.
This proposition is based on observations that there are no gender differences
in symptom reporting rates among office workers who (1) report extreme
dissatisfaction with their work environment, (2) have considerable control
over their work, (3) work <6 hours/day, and (4) have worked in the same
office environment for more than 8 years. In controlled exposure studies to
irritant chemicals, objective measurements of inflammatory responses of
mucous membranes indicate that males and females are equally affected.
Nevertheless, males report fewer symptoms. This may be due to cultural
conditioning, i.e., males may perceive symptom reporting to be an admission
of personal weakness.
Females are likely to be exposed to environmental and psychosocial
factors in building/work environments that are different from those of
males. Females in office environments tend to perform clerical work; males
are more often supervisors. A clerical worker has a lower social status and
compensation level. Clerical work also includes unique exposures to office
materials and equipment.
Female/male symptom reporting differences may be a significant factor
in building management decisions to have an IAQ/IE investigation con-
ducted to identify and resolve complaints. In general, based on the author's
experience, when complaints are preponderantly from females, male man-
agers/owners are less likely to take them seriously. This exacerbates “the
problem” and makes it more difficult for investigators to resolve.
2.
Allergic history
In most systematic epidemiological studies of SBS-type symptom prevalence
in nonresidential buildings, a self-reported history of atopy (genetic predis-
position to common allergens) has been strongly associated with increased
symptom prevalence rates. This has particularly been the case for mucous
membrane (eyes, nose, throat, sinuses) inflammatory symptoms. Individuals
with atopy are highly allergic and experience symptoms of chronic allergy
that overlap the spectrum of SBS-type symptoms.
There are several possible reasons why self-reported allergy is an appar-
ent risk factor for SBS-type symptoms. These include the possibility that
allergic individuals are more sensitive to irritant chemicals than average
individuals. Because of their experience with chronic allergy and/or asthma,
atopic individuals (including males) may be preconditioned to report symp-
toms when they actually occur. There is also increasing evidence that expo-
sure to common allergens in building environments may be responsible for
a portion of symptom prevalence rates.
The apparent relationship between self-reported allergy/asthma and
SBS symptom prevalence has been evaluated by Danish scientists using an
objective measure of atopy (specific IgE blood tests for common allergens
such as pollen, dust mites, and mold). Though self-reported allergy was
