SICK BUILDING SYNDROME: HOW IS IT AFFECTED BY AIRBORNE POLLEN, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POLLUTANTS?

Abstract

<h3>Introduction</h3> The Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is defined as symptoms experienced by occupants of specific indoor environments. Other factors may influence this syndrome such as indoor and outdoor pollutants. The aim of the study was to determine the association of the clinical manifestations of the SBS with pollen, indoor and outdoor pollutants in the home environment. <h3>Methods</h3> It was an observational, transversal and descriptive study that was performed from November 2021 to April 2022. It included subjects >18 years old who completed an online survey regarding SBS (general symptoms, nasal, eye, oropharyngeal and skin symptoms) presented at home, housing information and personal history. Pollen Sense SensorÒ was used for airborne pollen data and the local pollution monitoring system for pollutant information. Ethics committee approval: AL21-00015. SPSS version 24 was used for statistical analysis. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 402 surveys were included; 91% of subjects reported having at least 1 symptom, fatigue (74.6%) was the most frequent. Humidity at home was associated to nasal, eye and cutaneous symptoms (p<0.001). Presence of cats was associated to nasal and eye symptoms (p=0.028). Smoking (p=0.045), allergy history (p<0.001) and living in an apartment (p=0.006) were related to nasal symptoms. Headache was associated with exposure to high levels of <i>Fraxinus</i> pollen (p=0.019). Nitrogen oxides (NOx) presented a p=0.05 with eye and nasal symptoms. PM10 were related to cutaneous symptoms and itchy scalp at levels of 67.5 µg/m3. <h3>Conclusion</h3> SBS was associated with airborne pollen, indoor and outdoor pollutants. Humidity represents a risk factor for the development of SBS symptoms.