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Effects of occupant behaviors on perceived dormitory air quality and sick building syndrome symptoms among female college students.

Authors :
Qiao, Ruohong
Lou, Xinyuan
Sun, Yuexia
Liu, Yingjun
Source :
Indoor Air. Nov2022, Vol. 32 Issue 11, p1-10. 10p.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

We performed a cross‐sectional survey of 2143 female students in a university in Tianjin, China regarding perceived air quality (PAQ) and sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms in the student dormitory. The prevalence of general, mucosal, and skin symptoms was 22.1%, 21.9%, and 26.3%, respectively. The three most prevalent PAQ complaints were "dry air" (48.9% often), "stuffy odor" (18.2%), and "other unpleasant odors" (5.1%), and they were significant risk factors for 11–12 out of 12 SBS symptoms (adjusted odds ratios [AOR]: 1.6–5.8). Survey data of 1471 undergraduates, whose dorms were of uniform layout and furnishing, were used to further investigate the influences of occupancy level and occupant behaviors on PAQ and SBS symptoms. Frequent use of air freshener/perfume was a significant risk factor for "dry air," less frequent room cleaning and higher occupancy density were significant risk factors for "stuffy odor," and less natural ventilation was a significant risk factor for both "stuffy odor" and "pungent odor." These factors were also significantly associated with some SBS symptoms. In particular, the use of air freshener/perfume exhibited a significant dose–response pattern with "fatigue" (sometimes: AOR 1.3; often: AOR 2.0) and with "irritated, stuffy, or runny nose" (sometimes: AOR 1.6; often: AOR 2.2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
09056947
Volume :
32
Issue :
11
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Indoor Air
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
160455847
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.13153