Search

A questionnaire survey on dermal symptoms and home environment was performed in eight Chinese cities (40 279 participants). Data on city level temperature, precipitation, PM10, NO2, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita were collected. In total, 2.2% had eczema, 2.4% facial erythema (FE) and 2.6% seborrheic dermatitis symptoms (SD). Higher temperature was associated with eczema (OR = 1.09). Higher GDP per capita was related to less SD. Higher PM10 was related to SD. Suburban living was protective for eczema (OR = 0.77) (vs. urban). Living in old buildings (built before 1991) was related to eczema (OR = 1.42). Living near heavily trafficked roads was related to FE (OR = 1.33) and SD (OR = 1.35). Having new furniture was related to all symptoms (OR = 1.26–1.47). Burning mosquito coils (OR = 1.37–1.57) and incense (OR = 1.33–1.37) were associated with eczema, FE, or SD. Presence of cockroaches and rats/mice was associated with FE or SD (OR = 1.31–1.40). Using air conditioner, daily cleaning and frequently exposing bedding to sunshine were protective (OR = 0.60–0.83). In conclusion, higher temperature, higher PM10, urban living, living near heavily trafficked roads, old buildings, new furniture, burning mosquito coils and incense, and presence of cockroaches/rats/mice increased the risk of eczema, FE, or SD. Higher GDP, air conditioner, daily cleaning, and exposing bedding to sunshine were protective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After decades of development, the indoor environment in China has changed. A systematic review was conducted from peer‐reviewed scientific papers with field test data of indoor radon in China from 2000 to 2020 for three types of buildings. The mean concentrations of indoor radon for dwellings, school buildings, and office buildings are 54.6, 56.1, and 54.9 Bq/m3. The indoor radon concentration was related to seasons, climate regions, ventilation, decoration, and other factors such as soil and outdoor air. Colder seasons, especially in severe colder areas of China, newer decorated buildings, closed windows, and doors were all associated with higher indoor radon concentrations. Variables like climate region and ventilation showed statistical significance in the correlation analysis. Regarding the increasing trend of indoor radon concentration in China during the last two decades, further study of indoor radon is necessary especially for school buildings and office buildings, and will help access its environmental burden of disease in China more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative ion air purifiers (NIAPs), as a less costly alternative to the HEPA filtration, have been increasingly deployed in China and potentially elsewhere. While reducing indoor concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), NIAPs generate massive amounts of negative ions that may be of health concern. We performed week‐long interventions with NIAPs in the dormitories of 56 healthy college students living in Beijing. In a randomized order, each student underwent a true and a sham NIAP session. Cardiorespiratory outcomes were measured before and after each session. The use of true NIAPs reduced indoor PM2.5 concentrations significantly, while notably increased negative ion levels. Increases in PM2.5 and negative ion (NI) exposure were independently associated with increased urinary concentration of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of systemic oxidative stress, resulting in a null net effect of NIAP on malondialdehyde. Likewise, no significant net effects of NIAPs were observed for other outcomes indicative of lung function, vascular tone, arterial stiffness, and inflammation. Our findings suggest that negative ions, possibly along with their reaction products with the room air constituents, adversely affect health. The downsides do not support the use of NIAPs as a health‐based mitigation strategy to reduce PM2.5 exposure, especially in residences with PM2.5 concentrations that are not extremely high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portable air cleaners are increasingly used in polluted areas in an attempt to reduce human exposure; however, there has been limited work characterizing their effectiveness at reducing exposure. With this in mind, we recruited forty‐three children with asthma from suburban Shanghai and deployed air cleaners (with HEPA and activated carbon filters) in their bedrooms. During both 2‐week filtration and non‐filtration periods, low‐cost PM2.5 and O3 air monitors were used to measure pollutants indoors, outdoors, and for personal exposure. Indoor PM2.5 concentrations were reduced substantially with the use of air cleaners, from 34 ± 17 to 10 ± 8 µg/m3, with roughly 80% of indoor PM2.5 estimated to come from outdoor sources. Personal exposure to PM2.5 was reduced from 40 ± 17 to 25 ± 14 µg/m3. The more modest reductions in personal exposure and high contribution of outdoor PM2.5 to indoor concentrations highlight the need to reduce outdoor PM2.5 and/or to clean indoor air in multiple locations. Indoor O3 concentrations were generally low (mean = 8±4 ppb), and no significant difference was seen by filtration status. The concentrations of pollutants and the air cleaner effectiveness were highly variable over time and across homes, highlighting the usefulness of real‐time air monitors for understanding individual exposure reduction strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is difficult to evaluate long‐term ventilation and indoor‐outdoor temperature variation on‐site in the birth residence so as to investigate their associations with learning capacity from childhood through adolescence. Here, we conducted a questionnaire‐based retrospective cohort study in ten schools from two northeast China cities with warm summers and severe cold winters when residences had very low air exchange rates. Scores for Chinese, Mathematics, and English in the final exams of the summer semester in June 2018 were collected to evaluate learning capacity. We surveyed 6238 students aged 14.7 (SD: 2.1) years old. Using the 2nd quarter (April‐May‐June) birth as reference, 4th quarter (October‐November‐December) birth consistently was significantly associated with lower scores in Chinese in bivariate (β, 95%CI: −3.2, −4.3 to −2.0) and multivariate (−1.8, −2.4 to −0.8) linear regression analyses. Stratified sub‐analyses showed significant associations for male (−2.4, −3.7 to −1.1), urban (−2.4, −3.4 to −1.4), and primary students (−2.9, −4.5 to −1.4). Since household ventilation and indoor‐outdoor temperature variation had great differences between the 2nd and 4th quarter of year, our results suggest that these two factors in the birth residence could be associated with learning capacity in childhood, especially for male and primary students in northeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From October 2010 to April 2012, we conducted a cross‐sectional study of associations between household environments and childhood health among preschool children in eight Chinese cities. Here, we analyze associations of early household renovation with preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), term low birthweight (Term‐LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Parents responded to questions about household renovation and their children's gestational age and birthweight. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, household renovation in the year before pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (sample size: N = 25 813; adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23, 1.01‐1.50) and Term‐LBW (N = 24 823; 1.29, 1.01‐1.67). Household renovation during pregnancy was significantly associated with PTB (N = 25 202; 1.28, 1.01‐1.69). These significant associations were also found in the two‐level (city‐child) logistic regression analyses and in the sensitivity analyses among 21 009 children with complete data in all studied variates. Stronger associations were found in certain subgroups. Our findings indicate that household renovation within one year before pregnancy might be a risk factor for LBW and Term‐LBW, while household renovation during pregnancy could be a risk factor for PTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied dampness and mold in China in relation to rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. A questionnaire study was performed in six cities including 36 541 randomized parents of young children. Seven self‐reported signs of dampness were evaluated. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Totally, 3.1% had weekly rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat and 4.8% skin symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% fatigue. Overall, 6.3% of the homes had mold, 11.1% damp stains, 35.3% damp bed clothing, 12.8% water damage, 45.4% window pane condensation, 11.1% mold odor, and 37.5% humid air. All dampness signs were associated with symptoms (ORs from 1.2 to 4.6; P < 0.001), including rhinitis (ORs from 1.4 to 3.2; P < 0.001), and ORs increased by number of dampness signs. The strongest associations were for mold odor (ORs from 2.3 to 4.6) and humid air (ORs from 2.8 to 4.8). Associations were stronger among men and stronger in Beijing as compared to south China. In conclusion, dampness and mold are common in Chinese homes and associated with rhinitis and ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. Men can be more sensitive to dampness and health effects of dampness can be stronger in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Portable air cleaners are increasingly used in polluted areas in an attempt to reduce human exposure; however, there has been limited work characterizing their effectiveness at reducing exposure. With this in mind, we recruited forty-three children with asthma from suburban Shanghai and deployed air cleaners (with HEPA and activated carbon filters) in their bedrooms. During both 2-week filtration and non-filtration periods, low-cost PM 2.5 and O 3 air monitors were used to measure pollutants indoors, outdoors, and for personal exposure. Indoor PM 2.5 concentrations were reduced substantially with the use of air cleaners, from 34 ± 17 to 10 ± 8 µg/m 3 , with roughly 80% of indoor PM 2.5 estimated to come from outdoor sources. Personal exposure to PM 2.5 was reduced from 40 ± 17 to 25 ± 14 µg/m 3 . The more modest reductions in personal exposure and high contribution of outdoor PM 2.5 to indoor concentrations highlight the need to reduce outdoor PM 2.5 and/or to clean indoor air in multiple locations. Indoor O 3 concentrations were generally low (mean = 8±4 ppb), and no significant difference was seen by filtration status. The concentrations of pollutants and the air cleaner effectiveness were highly variable over time and across homes, highlighting the usefulness of real-time air monitors for understanding individual exposure reduction strategies., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Negative ion air purifiers (NIAPs), as a less costly alternative to the HEPA filtration, have been increasingly deployed in China and potentially elsewhere. While reducing indoor concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ), NIAPs generate massive amounts of negative ions that may be of health concern. We performed week-long interventions with NIAPs in the dormitories of 56 healthy college students living in Beijing. In a randomized order, each student underwent a true and a sham NIAP session. Cardiorespiratory outcomes were measured before and after each session. The use of true NIAPs reduced indoor PM 2.5 concentrations significantly, while notably increased negative ion levels. Increases in PM 2.5 and negative ion (NI) exposure were independently associated with increased urinary concentration of malondialdehyde, a biomarker of systemic oxidative stress, resulting in a null net effect of NIAP on malondialdehyde. Likewise, no significant net effects of NIAPs were observed for other outcomes indicative of lung function, vascular tone, arterial stiffness, and inflammation. Our findings suggest that negative ions, possibly along with their reaction products with the room air constituents, adversely affect health. The downsides do not support the use of NIAPs as a health-based mitigation strategy to reduce PM 2.5 exposure, especially in residences with PM 2.5 concentrations that are not extremely high., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)