Sick building syndrome among parents of preschool children in relation to home environment in Chongqing, China

The prevalence and risk factors of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms in domestic environments were studied by a questionnaire survey on the home environment. Parents of 5299 3-6 years old children from randomly selected kindergartens in Chongqing, China returned completed questionnaires between December 2010 and April 2011. The prevalence of parents' SBS symptoms (often (every week) compared with never) were: 11.4% for general symptoms, 7.1% for mucosal symptoms and 4.4% for skin symptoms. Multiple logistic regressions were applied controlling for gender and asthma/allergic rhinitis/eczema. Living near a main road or highway was a strong risk factor for general symptoms (adjusted odds ratio, aOR=2.16, P<0.001), skin symptoms (aOR=2.69, P<0.001), and mucosal symptoms (aOR=1.63, P<0.01). Redecoration was a risk factor for general symptoms (aOR=2.00, P<0.001), skin symptoms (aOR=1.66, P<0.01), and mucosal symptoms (aOR=1.66, P<0.05). New furniture was a risk factor for general symptoms (aOR=2.16, P<0.001) and skin symptoms (aOR=1.67, P<0.01). Dampness related problems (mould spot, damp stain, water damage and condensation) were all risk factors for SBS symptoms, as was the presence of cockroaches, rats, and mosquitoes/flies and use of incense. Protective factors include cleaning the child's bedroom every day and frequently exposing bedding to sunshine. In conclusion, adults' SBS symptoms were related to factors of the home environment