Séverine Kirchner
University of Paris
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Featured researches published by Séverine Kirchner.
Environmental Research | 2011
Cécile Billionnet; Séverine Kirchner; Bénédicte Leynaert; Isabella Annesi-Maesano
BACKGROUND Various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been related to respiratory health effects, but have generally been assessed individually without taking into account the fact that such pollutants are highly correlated to one other. AIMS We investigated the effects of exposure to various VOC, and considered their combined effect on adult asthma and rhinitis. METHOD A national cross-sectional representative survey conducted by the Indoor Air Quality Observatory objectively assessed 20 VOCs in 490 main dwellings in France. A standardized questionnaire determined the prevalence of asthma and rhinitis among 1012 inhabitants of the dwellings (≥ 15 years). Marginal models for binary outcome were used to relate VOCs exposure to asthma and rhinitis, controlling for potential confounders. A global score representing the number of VOCs in each dwelling with an elevated concentration (using the 3(rd) quartile value of the distribution as a threshold value) was then derived as a measure of the combined effect of VOCs. Specific scores were built using a similar approach, grouping VOCs by family. RESULTS Asthma (8.6%) was significantly associated with N-undecane and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and rhinitis (38.3%) with ethylbenzene, trichloroethylene, m/p- and o-xylene. The global VOC score was associated with a significant risk of asthma and rhinitis (odds ratio (OR) of 1.40 and 1.22, respectively, for 5 additional VOCs with high exposure level). Both specific scores for aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic hydrocarbons were associated with a significantly risk of asthma (OR=1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.24 and OR=1.41; 95% CI=1.03-1.93, respectively). The specific VOC score for halogenated hydrocarbons was associated with a significant risk of rhinitis (OR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.07-1.54). CONCLUSION We have shown that high concentrations of VOCs in homes were associated with an increasing prevalence of asthma and rhinitis in adults.
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health | 2013
M. Hulin; Stéphane Moularat; Séverine Kirchner; Enric Robine; Corinne Mandin; Isabella Annesi-Maesano
Our study aims at estimating exposure to molds at home, based on microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (MVOCs) assessment, and evaluating its effect on respiratory diseases in a representative sample of dwellings. In the framework of a national campaign, indoor pollution was monitored in a sample of the 24 million dwellings of metropolitan France (n=567). 727 subjects answered to a standardized questionnaire on respiratory diseases and had MVOCs sampled in their bedrooms and a fungal index (FI) defined. Among the 431 dwellings with complete data, one out of three was contaminated by molds as assessed by a positive FI: 27.0% in urban, 38.2% in periurban and 34.9% in rural dwellings respectively. Positive associations were observed between fungal index and current asthma (8.6%) and chronic bronchitis-like symptoms (8.4%), especially in rural areas (OR=2.95, 95%CI (1.10; 7.95) and 3.35, 95%CI (1.33; 8.48) respectively). Our study, based on objective assessments of fungal contamination, is in agreement with previous results suggesting mold-related respiratory effects. Moreover associations found among rural population could indicate specific pollution and impact in this environment.
Human and Ecological Risk Assessment | 2010
Marie-Thérèse Guillam; Nadège Thomas; Vincent Nedellec; Mickael Derbez; Séverine Kirchner; Gaëlle Pédrono; Claire Segala
ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the time spent by children (0– 18 years old) in indoor places of leisure and also day-care centers. The sampling scheme was stratified by geographic region and size of town. This study was performed from September 2005 to March 2006. Families were asked to complete a diary by phone on their childrens activities during the last week of school and the last week of a vacation period. The time spent in each place was then extrapolated for the winter period. We then evaluated the overall attendance and time (means and quartiles) spent by all of the children, and by those of children attending places. Information was collected on 2780 children. Gymnasiums were frequented the most (52.3% during the winter period) and were the places in which children spend the greatest amount of time (average: 19 min/day). Other places frequented the most included bars/restaurants (46.5%; average: 9 min/day), cinemas/theaters (42.2%; average: 10 min/day), and indoor pools (25.4%; average: 12 min/day). Our results should help in the prioritization of specific projects investigating exposure in children during indoor leisure activities and the evaluation of the risks associated with air pollutants in these places.
Environnement Risques & Sante | 2008
Denis Bard; Pierre-André Cabanes; Alain Grimfeld; Francelyne Marano; Séverine Kirchner
Auteur(s) : Denis Bard, Pierre-Andre Cabanes, Alain Grimfeld, Francelyne Marano, Severine Kirchner Institutionnalisee par la creation d’une agence nationale (l’Afsse, devenue l’Afsset1) en 2001, la sante environnementale est aujourd’hui un champ d’expertise reconnu pour lequel des formations universitaires initiales existent. De nombreuses autres agences ou institutions (Afssa, InVS, Ineris, CSTB, INRS, IRSN2 et d’autres encore) contribuent a des degres divers a ce champ d’expertise, [...]
Pollution atmosphérique | 1970
Claire Dassonville; Corinne Mandin; Jacques Ribéron; Guillaume Wyart; Olivier Ramalho; Séverine Kirchner
Dans les salles de classe, il est necessaire de renouveler l’air pendant la presence des enfants pour eviter un confinement de l’air trop important pouvant etre a l’origine d’effets sanitaires et d’une baisse de performance des ecoliers. En l’absence de systeme mecanique de ventilation, ce renouvellement de l’air necessite une ouverture reguliere des ouvrants, en veillant toutefois a limiter l’exposition aux contraintes exterieures (bruit, froid, etc.). Afin d’optimiser cette ouverture, le Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment (CSTB) a mis au point, dans le cadre du programme scientifique de l’Observatoire de la Qualite de l’Air Interieur (OQAI), un indicateur lumineux du confinement de l’air interieur, base sur la mesure en continu du dioxyde de carbone et un affichage tricolore immediat. Il permet ainsi d’alerter l’enseignant sur l’etat de confinement dans la salle de classe en temps reel. Cet indicateur a ete deploye dans 70 salles de classes d’ecoles maternelles et elementaires de trois regions francaises aux climats contrastes, de fevrier a juin 2010. L’etude a montre la bonne appropriation de cet outil par les enseignants. Neanmoins, des freins a l’aeration par ouverture des fenetres subsistent encore, tout comme l’arret de l’indicateur lumineux conduit rapidement a un retour aux pratiques qui precedaient son utilisation. En tout etat de cause, l’utilisation de l’indicateur lumineux a montre une reduction du confinement de l’air interieur (diminution de l’indice de confinement ICONE de 0,5 a 1,5 point). A ce titre, et meme s’il ne constitue pas une solution adaptee a toutes les situations et toutes les personnes, cet outil fait partie des moyens aujourd’hui disponibles de sensibilisation vis-a-vis de la qualite de l’air interieur dans les lieux d’enseignement.
Atmospheric Environment | 2008
Evelyne Gehin; Olivier Ramalho; Séverine Kirchner
Atmospheric Environment | 2005
Anne Pennequin-Cardinal; Hervé Plaisance; Nadine Locoge; Olivier Ramalho; Séverine Kirchner; Jean-Claude Galloo
Building and Environment | 2014
Mickael Derbez; Bruno Berthineau; Valérie Cochet; Murielle Lethrosne; Cécile Pignon; Jacques Ribéron; Séverine Kirchner
Talanta | 2005
Anne Pennequin-Cardinal; Hervé Plaisance; Nadine Locoge; Olivier Ramalho; Séverine Kirchner; Jean-Claude Galloo
Environnement Risques & Sante | 2007
Séverine Kirchner; Jean-François Arenes; Christian Cochet; Mickael Derbez; Cédric Duboudin; Patrick Elias; Anthony Gregoire; Béatrice Jédor; Jean-Paul Lucas; Nathalie Pasquier; Michèle Pigneret; Olivier Ramalho