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Both high and low indoor relative humidity (RH) directly impact indoor air quality (IAQ), an important school health concern. Prior school studies reported a high prevalence of mold, roaches, and water damage; however, few examined associations between modifiable classroom factors and RH, a quantitative indicator of dampness. We recorded RH longitudinally in 134 North Carolina classrooms (n= 9066 classroom-days) to quantify the relationships between modifiable classroom factors and average daily RH below, within, or above levels recommended to improve school IAQ (30–50% or 30–60% RH). The odds of having high RH (>60%) were 5.8 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 2.9, 11.3) times higher in classrooms with annual compared to quarterly heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system maintenance, and 2.5 (95% CI: 1.5, 4.2) times higher in classrooms with HVAC economizers compared to those without economizers. Classrooms with direct expansion split systems compared to chilled water systems had 2.7 (95% CI: 1.7, 4.4) times higher odds of low RH (60%) of those without setbacks. This research suggests actionable decision points for school design and maintenance to prevent high or low classroom RH.

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-05-11T13:18:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilma S. 2013.txt: 633 bytes, checksum: 9b2fd6599a91c85004a26ae68b3785ad (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-11T13:18:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilma S. 2013.txt: 633 bytes, checksum: 9b2fd6599a91c85004a26ae68b3785ad (MD5) Background: We investigated the interaction between exposure to noise and smoking in relation to prevalence of hearing loss among women. Methods: A sample of women aged 20–49 years (n¼1,723) from a population-based cross-sectional study arried out in Brazil in 2006 was examined. Hearing loss was assessed using a yes–no validated question. Biological interaction was analyzed using the additive scale and measured with interaction contrast ratio (ICR) and assessment of dose–response relationship. Results: The combined effect of exposure to noise and cigarette smoking on hearing loss (adjusted prevalence ratio (PRadj)¼3.94,95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81,5.52) was greater than expected based on the additive single effects of smoking (PRadj¼1.39, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.81) and noise (PRadj¼2.66, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.82). ICR estimates were not statistically significant. The prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed women increased with duration of smoking (P trend ¼0.026), number of cigarettes smoked per day (Ptrend ¼0.034), cumulative tobacco use (Ptrend¼0.030), and early age at smoking initiation (P trend ¼0.047). Conclusions: Noise and smoking may have a combined effect on hearing loss but fur- ther studies are still needed. A dose–response relation of smoking for the noise effect among women is suggested. New York

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2015-05-11T13:18:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilma S. 2013.txt: 633 bytes, checksum: 9b2fd6599a91c85004a26ae68b3785ad (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-11T13:18:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Vilma S. 2013.txt: 633 bytes, checksum: 9b2fd6599a91c85004a26ae68b3785ad (MD5) Background: We investigated the interaction between exposure to noise and smoking in relation to prevalence of hearing loss among women. Methods: A sample of women aged 20–49 years (n¼1,723) from a population-based cross-sectional study arried out in Brazil in 2006 was examined. Hearing loss was assessed using a yes–no validated question. Biological interaction was analyzed using the additive scale and measured with interaction contrast ratio (ICR) and assessment of dose–response relationship. Results: The combined effect of exposure to noise and cigarette smoking on hearing loss (adjusted prevalence ratio (PRadj)¼3.94,95% confidence interval (CI): 2.81,5.52) was greater than expected based on the additive single effects of smoking (PRadj¼1.39, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.81) and noise (PRadj¼2.66, 95% CI: 1.86, 3.82). ICR estimates were not statistically significant. The prevalence of hearing loss among noise-exposed women increased with duration of smoking (P trend ¼0.026), number of cigarettes smoked per day (Ptrend ¼0.034), cumulative tobacco use (Ptrend¼0.030), and early age at smoking initiation (P trend ¼0.047). Conclusions: Noise and smoking may have a combined effect on hearing loss but fur- ther studies are still needed. A dose–response relation of smoking for the noise effect among women is suggested. New York

Little is known about the health effects of living in close proximity to industrial swine operations. We assessed the relationship between estimated exposure to airborne effluent from confined swine feeding operations and asthma symptoms among adolescents who were aged 12 to 14 years.

Objectives: To determine if athletes with a self reported history of previous injury have a higher incident injury rate than athletes without a self reported injury history.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of work related injury in a group of small scale, independent commercial fishers.