Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Patients Exposed to Moisture Damage at Work and in General Working-Age Population—The SAMDAW Study

Pia Nynäs, Sarkku Vilpas, Elina Kankare, Jussi Karjalainen, Lauri Lehtimäki, Jura Numminen, Antti Tikkakoski, Leenamaija Kleemola, Heini Huhtala and Jukka Uitti
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Pia Nynäs: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Sarkku Vilpas: Department of Phoniatrics, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Elina Kankare: Department of Phoniatrics, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Jussi Karjalainen: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Lauri Lehtimäki: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Jura Numminen: Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Antti Tikkakoski: Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Leenamaija Kleemola: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Heini Huhtala: Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland
Jukka Uitti: Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520 Tampere, Finland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: A considerable proportion of patients having respiratory tract or voice symptoms associated with workplace moisture damage (MD) could have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). MCS is characterized by symptoms of different organ systems in association with low-level chemical exposure. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of MCS among patients referred to secondary health care because of respiratory or voice symptoms associated with workplace MD compared to the general working-age population. Using three subscales of the QEESI© questionnaire, we assessed MCS in the study patients and 1500 controls in the same district randomly selected from the Finnish Population Information System. Study patients had significantly more often high scores in chemical intolerance (39% vs. 23%, p = 0.001), symptom severity (60% vs. 27%, p < 0.001), and life impact subscales (53% vs. 20%, p < 0.001). Asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis, laryngeal problems, and atopy were not associated with the presence of MCS. MCS is common among patients referred to secondary health care with respiratory tract and/or voice symptoms associated with workplace MD, and it considerably affects their everyday life. MCS should be considered as a possible explanatory factor for MD-associated symptoms.

Keywords: multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS); chemical intolerance; moisture damage; mold; dampness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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