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Prevalence of self-reported symptoms and consequences related to inhalation of airborne chemicals in a Danish general population

International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health volume 81, pages 881–887 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

To estimate the prevalence and consequences of self-reported symptoms related to inhalation of airborne chemicals in a Danish general population.

Methods

A random sample of 18–69-year-old individuals (n = 6,000) was drawn from the Danish Civil Registration System. A questionnaire on self-reported symptoms related to inhalation of 11 categories of airborne chemicals was mailed to the population. Respondents who reported symptoms received an additional questionnaire to verify the reported symptoms and to characterise factors related to the initial onset of symptoms.

Results

The response rate to the primary questionnaire was 71%. A total of 1,134 individuals (27%, 95% CI 25–28) reported symptoms related to inhalation of airborne chemicals, 141 individuals (3.3%, 95% CI 2.8–3.9) reported adjustments of social life or occupational conditions due to symptoms, whereas 20 individuals (0.5%, 95% CI 0.3–0.7) had made adjustments of both social life and occupational conditions. Women reported more exposures as annoying than men and had more symptoms related to inhalation of airborne chemicals (P < 0.001). However, sex had no effect on the reporting of adjustments of social life or occupational conditions (P = 0.54).

Conclusion

Symptoms related to inhalation of airborne chemicals were common in this general population, and a minority reported that these symptoms affected social life or occupational conditions. Women as compared to men reported more symptoms but not adjustments of social life or occupational conditions.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Susanne Schweitz and Anne Marie Topp who provided valuable secretarial assistance. The study was financially supported by Aage Bangs Foundation and the Asthma and Allergy Association of Copenhagen. The funding sources had no involvement on the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Allé 40, 2.th, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark

    Nikolaj Drimer Berg & Jesper Elberling

  2. Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Nordre Ringvej 57, building 84/85, 2600, Glostrup, Denmark

    Allan Linneberg

  3. Department of Respiratory Medicine Y, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Niels Andersens Vej 65, 2900, Hellerup, Denmark

    Asger Dirksen

Authors
  1. Nikolaj Drimer Berg
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  2. Allan Linneberg
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  3. Asger Dirksen
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  4. Jesper Elberling
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Correspondence to Nikolaj Drimer Berg.

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Berg, N., Linneberg, A., Dirksen, A. et al. Prevalence of self-reported symptoms and consequences related to inhalation of airborne chemicals in a Danish general population. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 81, 881–887 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0282-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0282-0

Keywords

  • Epidemiology
  • Population-based
  • Prevalence
  • Multiple chemical sensitivity
  • Idiopathic environmental intolerance