A high environmental composite quality factor score was associated with the risk of sick building syndrome among adults in northeast China

Abstract

ObjectivesEpidemiological evidence regarding the association between the combination of indoor and outdoor neighborhood pollution and sick building syndrome (SBS) among adults is limited and inconsistent. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the association between the environmental composite quality factor score and SBS among adults. MethodsThis study included 2594 females and 666 males aged 18–77 years enrolled from the Northeast China. The environmental composite quality factor score was computed based on factors potentially associated with SBS risk, including the outdoor neighborhood pollution sources (the housing on the street, the presence of pollutants within 100 m of the house (gutters, garbage stations, noise, chemical pollution, and dust pollution), and the presence of arterial roads, factories, and chimneys) and indoor pollution sources (redecoration, clean fuel used for heating/cooking, cooking oil fume (COF) outside kitchen, using of mosquito coil or repellent, and using of incense). We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) between environmental composite quality factor score, indoor pollution composite factor score, outdoor neighborhood pollution composite factor score, and SBS adjustment for covariates. Further, we also did the stratified analysis and constructed a weighted score to verify the results. ResultsCompared with the lowest environmental composite quality factor score, the ORs of the highest scores were: 1.58 (95% CI, 1.20–2.27, Ptrend = 0.001) for general symptoms; 1.73 (95% CI, 1.35–2.23, Ptrend < 0.001) for mucosal symptoms and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.34–2.29, Ptrend < 0.001) for dermal symptoms and 1.81 (95% CI, 1.36–2.42, Ptrend < 0.001) for all of the three symptoms. We also observed similar patterns with the using of weighted scores and stratified analysis. ConclusionHigher exposure to indoor pollution sources and outdoor pollution sources near the residence may be associated with a higher risk of SBS in adults in northeast China.