Home Dampness Research Articles

Readjusting the political thermostat: fuel poverty and human rights in the UK

Fuel poverty − the inability to afford adequate warmth in the home − is a widespread problem across the UK. Cold, damp homes are detrimental to human health and contribute to thousands of ‘excess winter deaths’ every year. This article analyses fuel poverty from a human rights perspective – asking whether it engages human rights protections. It first discusses the definition, scale and health impacts of the problem. Second, it explores the relationship between fuel poverty and the rights contained within the European Convention on Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the European Social Charter. It concludes that fuel poverty readily engages rights to adequate housing, food and health; and certain civil and political rights in extreme circumstances. It discusses the legal implications of these findings for fuel poverty policy, arguing for a ‘human rights approach’ to tackling the problem. These conclusions focus on the particularly drastic fuel poverty situation in the UK, but can also be applied globally to the various nations where citizens suffer similar problems and extend to the wider debate on the relationship between poverty and human rights.

Allergy and respiratory health effects of dampness and dampness-related agents in schools and homes: a cross-sectional study in Danish pupils.

Little is known about the health effects of school-related indoor dampness and microbial exposures. In this study, we investigated dampness and dampness-related agents in both homes and schools and their association with allergy and respiratory health effects in 330 Danish pupils. Classroom dampness was identified based on technical inspection and bedroom dampness on parents' self-report. Classroom and bedroom dust was analyzed for seven microbial components. Skin prick testing determined atopic sensitization. Lung function was expressed as z-scores for forced expiratory volume in one-second (zFEV1 ), forced vital capacity (zFVC) and the ratio zFEV1 /zFVC using GLI-2012 prediction equations. The parents reported children's allergies, airway symptoms, and doctor-diagnosed asthma. High classroom dampness, but not bedroom dampness, was negatively associated with zFEV1 (β-coef. -0.71; 95% CI -1.17 to -0.23) and zFVC (β-coef. -0.52; 95% CI -0.98 to -0.06) and positively with wheezing (OR 8.09; 95% CI 1.49 to 43.97). No consistent findings were found between any individual microbial components or combination of microbial components and health outcomes. Among other indoor risk factors, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) decreased zFEV1 (β-coef. -0.22; 95% CI -0.42 to -0.02) and zFEV1 /zFVCratio (β-coef. -0.26; 95% CI -0.44 to -0.07) and increased upper airway symptoms (OR 1.66; 95% CI 1.03-2.66). In conclusion, dampness in classrooms may have adverse respiratory health effects in pupils, but microbial agents responsible for this effect remain unknown.

Early-life exposure to home dampness associated with health effects among children in Chongqing, China

Associations between early-life exposure to perinatal dampness problems and health effects among 2917 children (3–6 years) were evaluated in this study. After adjusted for gender, age, family history of asthma or allergies, environmental tobacco smoke exposure, gestation age and house location in the logistic regression models, perinatal exposure to dampness indicators was observed to be strongly associated with some respiratory and allergic symptoms in the last 12 months, including wheezing, cough at night, rhinitis and eczema. The prevalence of theses respiratory and allergic symptoms in the last 12 months was significantly increased with perinatal-only exposure to most dampness indicators and was further increased with continuous exposure (perinatal plus current exposure). There was almost no such significant increase with current-only exposure. This study found less association between perinatal-only exposure and doctor-diagnosed diseases, and these associations may be explained by recall bias. Early-life exposure to perinatal dampness reported by parents was significantly associated with some current respiratory and allergic symptoms among children in Chongqing, China. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to early living environment, especially home dampness, although the mechanisms are still unclear.

Home Dampness Signs in Association with Asthma and Allergic Diseases in 4618 Preschool Children in Urumqi, China-The Influence of Ventilation/Cleaning Habits.

There is an increasing prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in mainland of China. Few studies investigated the indoor dampness, ventilation and cleaning habits and their interrelationship with childhood asthma and allergic diseases. A large-scale cross-sectional study was performed in preschool children in Urumqi, China. Questionnaire was used to collect information on children’s health, home dampness and ventilation/cleaning (V/C) habits. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to analyze the associations between childhood asthma/allergic diseases and each sign of home dampness, dampness levels, each V/C habit and total V/C scores. The associations between dampness and health were further performed by strata analyses in two groups with low and high V/C scores. Totally 4618(81.7%) of 5650 children returned the questionnaire. Reports on home dampness were most common for water condensation on windows (20.8%) followed by damp beddings (18.0%). The most common ventilation measure was the use of exhaust fan in bathroom (59.3%), followed by daily home cleaning (48.3%), frequently putting beddings to sunshine (29.9%) and frequently opening windows in winter (8.4%). There were positive associations between the 6 signs of home dampness and children’s health particularly the symptoms last 12 months. By comparing with the reference dampness level (dampness scored 0), both the low dampness (scored 1~2) level and the high dampness level (scored 3~6) showed significantly increasing associations with childhood symptoms. There were crude negative associations between V/C habits and childhood health but not significant adjusting for home dampness levels. The risks of home dampness on children’s health were lower in the group with higher V/C score but the differences were not statistically significant. Home dampness is a potential risk factor for childhood asthma and allergic symptoms in preschool children in Urumqi, China. No significant effects were observed for ordinary home ventilation and cleaning habits in reducing the risks of home dampness on childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Urumqi, China.

Asthma, Airway Symptoms and Rhinitis in Office Workers in Malaysia: Associations with House Dust Mite (HDM) Allergy, Cat Allergy and Levels of House Dust Mite Allergens in Office Dust.

A prevalence study was conducted among office workers in Malaysia (N= 695). The aim of this study was to examine associations between asthma, airway symptoms, rhinitis and house dust mites (HDM) and cat allergy and HDM levels in office dust. Medical data was collected by a questionnaire. Skin prick tests were performed for HDM allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae) and cat allergen Felis domesticus. Indoor temperature and relative air humidity (RH) were measured in the offices and vacuumed dust samples were analyzed for HDM allergens. The prevalence of D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and cat allergy were 50.3%, 49.0% and 25.5% respectively. Totally 9.6% had doctor-diagnosed asthma, 15.5% had current wheeze and 53.0% had current rhinitis. The Der p 1 (from D. pteronyssinus) and Der f 1 (from D. farinae) allergens levels in dust were 556 ng/g and 658 ng/g respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted by multilevel logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, current smoking, HDM or cat allergy, home dampness and recent indoor painting at home. Office workers with HDM allergy had more wheeze (p= 0.035), any airway symptoms (p= 0.032), doctor-diagnosed asthma (p= 0.005), current asthma (p= 0.007), current rhinitis (p= 0.021) and rhinoconjuctivitis (p< 0.001). Cat allergy was associated with wheeze (p= 0.021), wheeze when not having a cold (p= 0.033), any airway symptoms (p= 0.034), doctor-diagnosed asthma (p= 0.010), current asthma (p= 0.020) and nasal allergy medication (p= 0.042). Der f 1 level in dust was associated with daytime breathlessness (p= 0.033) especially among those with HDM allergy. Der f 1 levels were correlated with indoor temperature (p< 0.001) and inversely correlated with RH (p< 0.001). In conclusion, HDM and cat allergies were common and independently associated with asthma, airway symptoms and rhinitis. Der f 1 allergen can be a risk factor for daytime breathlessness.

Dampness Problem in Dwellings at Tianjin and its Association with Asthma and Allergy among Children

In China, the prevalence rates of asthma and allergies have been increasing in past 50 years. Several epidemiological investigations have indicated that dampness is associated with health effects such as respiratory infections, asthma and allergy. This study aims to find the associations between home dampness and asthma, rhinitis and eczema among children. A cross-sectional study on dampness and asthma and allergy at Tianjin was launched in 2013. Questionnaires were used to survey indoor dampness and health outcomes of occupants. 3.5% parents reported that they have noticed visible mildew/mold in child's rooms. The association between water leakage and asthma among children was seemingly strong (AOR: 3.29, 95% CI: 1.75-6.19). The dampness in home may have influence on asthma, rhinitis and eczema among children.

Associations Between Home Dampness-related Indicators and Eczema among Preschool Children in Shanghai, China

In recent years, prevalence of eczema has been increasing among preschool children in China. It's urgent to find associated factors. On basis of 13,335 questionnaires from parents or guardians for 4-6 year-old children (response rate 85.3%) in a cross-sectional study from April 2011 to April 2012 in Shanghai, the associations between home dampness related indicators and the prevalence of childhood eczema was investigated. There were 7.8%, 15.3%, 42.1%, 55.7%, and 30.7% of the surveyed residences who had visible mold spots, visible damp stains, damp clothing and/or bedding, water damage, condensation on window in winter, and moldy odor (six home dampness-related indicators), respectively. The prevalence of eczema (ever) and eczema (in the past 12 months) was 22.9% and 13.2%, respectively. These home dampness indicators had significant and strong associations with the increased risk of childhood eczema. With regard to the same indicators, the increased risk of eczema in girls was higher than in boys. Total numbers of home dampness-related indicators had notable dose-response relationships with the prevalence of childhood eczema. In conclusion, home dampness-related exposures are strong risk factors for childhood eczema.

Decreased importance of environmental risk factors for childhood asthma from 1996 to 2006.

The large increase in asthma prevalence continues in several, but not all areas. Despite the individual risk factors that have been identified, the reasons for the observed trends in prevalence are largely unknown. This study sought to characterize what trends in risk factors accompanied trends in asthma prevalence. Two population-based cohorts of 7- to 8-year-old children from the same Swedish study areas examined by expanded International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood questionnaires were compared 10 years apart. In 1996 and 2006, 3430 (97% participation) and 2585 (96% participation) questionnaires were completed, respectively. A subset was skin-prick-tested: in 1996 and 2006, 2148 (88% participation) and 1700 (90% participation) children, respectively. The adjusted population-attributable fraction (aPAF) was calculated using the prevalence and multivariate odds ratio of each risk factor. The prevalence of current asthma and wheeze was similar in 1996 and 2006. Allergic sensitization, however, increased from 21% to 30%. The prevalence of parental asthma increased from 17% to 24%, while respiratory infections and maternal smoking decreased (60% to 29% and 32% to 16%, respectively). The aPAFs of non-environmental risk factors for current asthma increased in 1996-2006: allergic sensitization from 35% to 41%, parental asthma from 27% to 45% and male sex from 20% to 25%. Conversely, the aPAFs of environmental risk factors decreased: respiratory infections from 36% to 32% and damp home and maternal smoking from 14% and 19%, respectively, to near zero in 2006. From 1996 to 2006, the non-environmental risk factors parental asthma, allergic sensitization and male sex had an increasing or constant importance for current asthma in 7- to 8-year-old children. The importance of the environmental exposures damp home, respiratory infections and maternal smoking decreased. This counterbalancing in risk factors may explain the level of prevalence of current asthma.

Modifiable factors governing indoor fungal diversity and risk of asthma

Exposure to dampness and fungi in the home is a known risk factor for individuals with allergic asthma. Inadequate heating and ventilation may lead to dampness and concomitant increased exposure to spores of allergenic fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi have been cultured from sputum of asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals, and implicated in the initiation or exacerbation of asthma. Indoor environmental factors influence the presence and concentrations of fungal propagules and, in turn, risk of asthma outcomes. This review aims to identify modifiable risk factors in the built environment that have been shown to influence fungal composition indoors, and to examine this association with the risk of asthma development and/or exacerbation. A complex interaction between residential characteristics, the built environment and the behaviour of people regulate the diversity and concentrations of indoor fungi. Modifiable factors include build age, architectural design, level of maintenance, variations in construction materials, presence of pets, heating and ventilation patterns. Risk of fungal contamination and asthma outcomes are also influenced by low occupant awareness concerning potential health effects and socio-economic factors. Addressing these factors provides an opportunity to improve future housing interventions, though it is not clear how the built environment and occupant behaviours interact to modify the diversity of indoor fungi and resultant risk of asthma. A combination of housing improvements combined with awareness programmes and the alleviation of fuel poverty can be used to lower the allergen burden associated with damp homes. Further research is needed to identify factors that regulate the concentration and diversity of indoor fungi and how this may act as a modifier for asthma outcomes.

Critical role of smoking and household dampness during childhood for adult phlegm and cough: a research example from a prospective cohort study in Great Britain

ObjectiveTo examine independent associations between childhood exposures to smoking and household dampness, and phlegm and cough in adulthood.DesignA prospective cohort study.Participants7320 of the British cohort who were born during 1...

Home dampness, childhood asthma, hay fever, and airway symptoms in Shanghai, China: associations, dose-response relationships, and lifestyle's influences

Numerous studies of associations between dampness and respiratory diseases have been conducted, but their implications remain inconclusive. In this study of 13,335 parent-reported questionnaires (response rate: 85.3%), we analyzed associations between home dampness and asthma and related symptoms in 4- to 6-year-old children in a cross-sectional study of Shanghai. Indicators of home dampness were strongly and significantly associated with dry cough, wheeze, and rhinitis symptoms. In the current residence, children with visible mold spots (VMS) exposure had 32% higher risk of asthma (adjusted OR, 95% CI: 1.32, 1.07-1.64); damp clothing and/or bedding (frequently) was strongly associated with dry cough (1.78, 1.37-2.30); condensation on windows was strongly associated with hay fever (1.60, 1.27-2.01). In the early-life residence, VMS or damp stains (frequently) were strongly associated with dry cough (2.20, 1.55-3.11) and rhinitis ever (1.57, 1.11-2.21). Associations between dampness and diseases among children with or without family history of atopy were similar. The total number of dampness indicators had strong dose-response relationships with investigated health outcomes. Actions, including opening windows of the child's room at night and cleaning the child's room frequently, could potentially mitigate 25% of home VMS, thereby preventing more than 1.5% of attributable risk of the studied symptoms.

Early life microbial exposure and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in school-age children: a prospective birth cohort study

BackgroundInflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. Early life exposure to microbial agents may have an effect on the development of the immune system and on respiratory health later in life.In the present work we aimed to evaluate the associations between early life microbial exposures, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) at school age.MethodsEndotoxin, extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) and β(1,3)-D-glucan were measured in living room dust collected at 2–3 months of age in homes of participants of three prospective European birth cohorts (LISA, n = 182; PIAMA, n = 244; and INMA, n = 355). Home dampness and pet ownership were periodically reported by the parents through questionnaires. FeNO was measured at age 8 for PIAMA and at age 10/11 for LISA and INMA. Cohort-specific associations between the indoor microbial exposures and FeNO were evaluated using multivariable regression analyses. Estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analyses.ResultsFeNO at school age was lower in children exposed to endotoxin at age 2–3 months (β -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10;-0.01) and in children with reported dog ownership during the first two years of life (GM ratio 0.82, CI 0.70-0.96). FeNO was not significantly associated with early life exposure to EPS, β(1,3)-D-glucan, indoor dampness and cat ownership.ConclusionEarly life exposure to bacterial endotoxin and early life dog ownership are associated with lower FeNO at school age. Further studies are needed to confirm our results and to unravel the underlying mechanisms and possible clinical relevance of this finding.

Next-generation DNA sequencing reveals that low fungal diversity in house dust is associated with childhood asthma development.

Dampness and visible mold in homes are associated with asthma development, but causal mechanisms remain unclear. The goal of this research was to explore associations among measured dampness, fungal exposure, and childhood asthma development without the bias of culture-based microbial analysis. In the low-income, Latino CHAMACOS birth cohort, house dust was collected at age 12 months, and asthma status was determined at age 7 years.The current analysis included 13 asthma cases and 28 controls. Next-generation DNA sequencing methods quantified fungal taxa and diversity. Lower fungal diversity (number of fungal operational taxonomic units) was significantly associated with increased risk of asthma development: unadjusted odds ratio(OR) 4.80 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04–22.1). Control for potential confounders strengthened this relationship. Decreased diversity within the genus Cryptococcus was significantly associated with increased asthma risk (OR 21.0, 95% CI 2.16–204). No fungal taxon (species, genus, class) was significantly positively associated with asthma development, and one was significantly negatively associated. Elevated moisture was associated with increased fungal diversity, and moisture/mold indicators were associated with four fungal taxa. Next-generation DNA sequencing provided comprehensive estimates of fungal identity and diversity, demonstrating significant associations between low fungal diversity and childhood asthma development in this community. Early life exposure to low fungal diversity in house dust was associated with increased risk for later asthma developmen tin this low-income, immigrant community. No individual fungal taxon (species, genus, or class) was associated with asthma development, although exposure to low diversity within the genus Cryptococcus was associated with asthma development. Future asthma development studies should incorporate fungal diversity measurements, in addition to measuring individual fungal taxa. These results represent a step toward identifying the aspect(s) of indoor microbial populations that are associated with asthma development and suggest that understanding the factors that control diversity in the indoor environment may lead to public health recommendations for asthma prevention in the future.

Reporting bias of smoking habits and home dampness – a result of study design?

There is a general trend of decreasing response rate when using questionnaires in epidemiological studies, and different actions to stop this are being discussed. Possible ways to increase it, as w...

Early life microbial exposure and fractional exhaled nitric oxide in school-age children

Background: Early life exposure to microbial agents may have an effect on the development of the immune system and on respiratory health later in life. Inflammation is a key factor in the pathogenesis of respiratory diseases. Aims: To evaluate the associations between early life microbial exposures, and the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a biomarker of eosinophilic airway inflammation, at school age. Methods: In homes of participants of three prospective European birth cohorts (LISA, n=182; PIAMA, n=244; and INMA, n=355), endotoxin, EPS and ?(1,3)-D-glucan were measured in living room dust collected at 2-3 months of age. Home dampness and pet ownership were periodically reported by the parents through questionnaires. FeNO was measured at age 8 for PIAMA and at age 10/11 for LISA and INMA. Cohort-specific associations between the indoor microbial exposures and FeNO were evaluated using multivariable regression analyses. Estimates were combined using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: FeNO at school age was significantly lower in children exposed to endotoxin at age 2-3 months (? -0.054, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.97;-0.01) and in children with reported dog ownership during the first two years of life (GM ratio 0.82, CI 0.70-0.96). FeNO was not significantly associated with early life exposure to EPS, ?(1,3)-D-glucan, indoor dampness and cat ownership. Conclusion: Early life exposure to bacterial endotoxin and early life dog ownership are associated with lower FeNO at school age. Further studies have to unravel the underlying effect mechanisms and possible clinical relevance of this finding.

Dampness and moulds in relation to respiratory and allergic symptoms in children: results from Phase Two of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC Phase Two)

Many studies report that damp housing conditions are associated with respiratory symptoms. Less is known about mechanisms and possible effect modifiers. Studies of dampness in relation to allergic sensitization and eczema are scarce. We study the influence of damp housing conditions world-wide on symptoms and objective outcomes. Cross-sectional studies of 8-12-year-old children in 20 countries used standardized methodology from Phase Two of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Symptoms of asthma, rhinitis and eczema, plus residential exposure to dampness and moulds, were ascertained by parental questionnaires (n=46051). Skin examination, skin prick tests (n=26967) and hypertonic saline bronchial challenge (n=5713) were performed. In subsamples stratified by wheeze (n=1175), dust was sampled and analysed for house dust mite (HDM) allergens and endotoxin. Current exposure to dampness was more common for wheezy children (pooled odds ratio 1.58, 95% CI 1.40-1.79) and was associated with greater symptom severity among wheezers, irrespective of atopy. A significant (P<0.01) adverse effect of dampness was also seen for cough and phlegm, rhinitis and reported eczema, but not for examined eczema, nor bronchial hyperresponsiveness. HDM sensitization was more common in damp homes (OR 1.16, 1.03-1.32). HDM-allergen levels were higher in damp homes and were positively associated with HDM-sensitization, but not wheeze. A consistent association of dampness with respiratory and other symptoms was found in both affluent and non-affluent countries, among both atopic and non-atopic children. HDM exposure and sensitization may contribute, but the link seems to be related principally to non-atopic mechanisms.

The Editor takes a closer look at some of this month's articles

The Editor takes a closer look at some of this month's articles

Dampness in dwellings and its associations with asthma and allergies among children in Chongqing: A cross-sectional study

The city of Chongqing has high outdoor temperatures and humidity throughout the year and consequently a high risk of dampness and mold problems in dwellings. As part of the China, Children, Homes, Health (CCHH), associations between home characteristics and children’s asthma, allergies, and related symptoms were investigated in Chongqing, China. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey on home characteristics including dampness and symptoms of asthma and allergies in 5299 children was performed. Data for 4754 children (3–6 years) and their homes were analyzed. Results showed that 35.1% of homes were reported to have “damp bedding”, 14.3% “condensation on window panes (higher than 5 cm)”, 11.6% “mouldy odor”, 9.3% “water leakage”, 8.3% “damp stains” and 5.3% “visible mould”. Wheezing and rhinitis ever were reported for 27.0% and 51.1% children respectively, and rhinitis, wheezing, cough at night and eczema in the last 12 months were reported for 38.1%, 20.5%, 18.9% and 13.2% respectively. Doctor-diagnosed asthma was reported for 8.3% of children, and doctor-diagnosed rhinitis for 6.2%. Dampness in homes was generally strongly associated with asthma and allergies among Chongqing children. The strongest association was found between “visible mould” and doctor-diagnosed rhinitis, and the adjusted Odds Ratio (OR A ) was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.48, 3.49). “Damp bedding” was significantly associated with all asthma and allergic symptoms, but doctor-diagnosed asthma and rhinitis. The behavior of “putting bedding to sunshine” could effectively reduce the prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms, and the risk of bedding affected with damp was reduced significantly when bedding was put to sunshine frequently.

Prenatal and early life home environment exposure in relation to preschool children’s asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in Taiyuan, China

Prenatal and early life home environment might be related to children’s asthma or allergic diseases later in life. A cross-sectional epidemiological study was designed and a questionnaire survey was performed in 3700 preschool children in urban areas in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. Questions on children’s asthma and allergic diseases from the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) were integrated with questions on home environment from the Swedish Dampness in Buildings and Health (DBH) study, appropriately modified for Chinese life habits. By multivariate regression analyses controlling for age, gender, heredity, location in urban/suburban or rural areas, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and breastfeeding, we found that home new furniture (HNF) before birth (referring to 1 year before pregnancy and during pregnancy) was positively associated with wheezing ever (odds ratio(OR) 1.23 with 95% CI of 1.03–1.48) and wheezing last 12 months (1.24,1.00–1.54), allergic rhinitis (AR) (1.26,1.06–1.51), and eczema (1.42,1.01–1.99). HNF between 0–1 years old was also positively associated with wheezing last 12 months. Home new decoration (HND) during 0–1 years old was positively associated with AR symptoms and eczema symptoms, more in the last 12 months. Stronger positive associations were found for signs of home mold and dampness with almost all children’s asthmatic and allergic symptoms (OR ranging from 1.23–1.85, P<0.05). By mutual adjustment between HNF before children’s birth and home mold or dampness, all the significance remained unchanged. Prenatal HNF and home mold or dampness was independently associated with children’s asthmatic and allergic diseases later in life.

On Associations between Housing Characteristics, Dampness and Asthma and Allergies among Children in Northeast Texas

A cross-sectional study on the home environment and children’s health in Northeast Texas was carried out in 2008–2009. Two thousand eight hundred and nineteen (2,819) parents of children (1–8 years) reported their housing characteristics, home interior surface materials, dampness and children’s health status. The response rate was 71%. Health outcomes studied were wheeze, dry cough, rhinitis, eczema in the last 12 months and diagnosed asthma and hay fever. Dampness was significant risk factor for wheeze and rhinitis with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.3–1.7. Mould/damp spot, condensation and suspected moisture problems were more commonly reported in buildings with flat roof and pier/beam foundation in hot and humid Northeast Texas. Compared to single family houses, trailers were associated with more dampness, consequently a significant increased prevalence of asthma (AOR 1.5 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–2.3), rhinitis (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–2.0) and hay fever (AOR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.1). Central air-conditioning system, which re-circulates indoor air, was associated with less dampness problems. However, an increment trend of allergic symptoms was found in homes with air-conditioning system, especially for rhinitis (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.2). Carpet as floor covering and laminated panel as wall covering were associated with rhinitis (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.5) and wheezing (AOR 4.7, 95% CI 1.8–12.7), respectively.