The First Case of Sick Building Syndrome in Switzerland

An environmental investigation was made in a private house where 2 young boys had developed symptoms of airway reactivity and allergy. The results showed high humidities in several rooms with abundant growth of different mould species. Measurements of airborne (l->3)-β-Z>-glucan demonstrated an average level of 41.9 ng/m^3 and a peak value of 106. Clinical examination of the boys showed asthmatic bronchitis and one boy had developed antibodies to house dust mite. It is suggested that the moulds and their cell wall constituent (l->3)-β-Z)-glucan were the causative agent for the diseases.