Sick Building Syndrome by Indoor Air Pollution in Dalian, China

Abstract

This study assessed subjective symptoms related to indoor concentrations of chemicals among residents in a housing estate in Dalian, China, where indoor air pollution by interior decoration materials has recently become a major health problem. Fifty-nine males and 50 females were surveyed for their symptoms related to sick building syndrome. Formaldehyde (HCHO), NO2, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their dwellings were collected using a diffusion sampler and measured by GC/MS. For residents with one or more symptoms in the past, HCHO, butanol or 1,2-dichloroethane concentrations were significantly greater in their bedrooms or kitchens compared with those of subjects without previous symptoms. For residents with one or more symptoms at the time of the study, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, xylene, butanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and styrene concentrations in their bedrooms or kitchens were significantly greater compared with those of residents without symptoms. HCHO, NO2, and VOCs were detected in all rooms, but their levels were lower than the guideline values except for HCHO in two rooms. Chemical substances from interior decoration materials at indoor air levels lower than their guideline values might have affected the health status of residents.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC), formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) in schools in Johor Bahru, Malaysia: Associations with rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue

“…Formaldehyde can be emitted from indoor sources but can also be formed at photochemical reactions in the outdoor air (Guo et al, 2004). We found no previous study on associations between formaldehyde levels in schools and SBS symptoms among students, but some previous studies have found association between formaldehyde levels in homes and SBS-symptoms (Sahlberg et al, 2013;Guo et al, 2013;Takigawa et al, 2010;Takigawa et al, 2012), but at much higher levels than in our school study. It could be speculated that the source of formaldehyde in our study could be reactive indoor or outdoor chemistry.…”

“…One larger study in newly built dwellings in six prefectures from northern to southern Japan found that formaldehyde, but not specific VOC or TVOC, were associated with SBS (Takigawa et al, 2010). One study from Dalian, China, found positive associations between 1,1,1-trichloroethane, xylene, butanol, methyl isobutyl ketone, and styrene concentrations in homes and current SBS (Guo et al, 2013). Another study from Taiwan found associations between TVOC and upper respiratory symptoms, dry throat and mucosal irritation (Lu et al, 2015).…”

The Prevelence of SBS and Absenteeism among Children in Urban Refurbished Private Preshools

“…For three air condition classrooms (S7-43D-R1, S7-43D-R2 and PJ-KD6-R1), mean indoor temperature were lower than the corresponding outdoor levels. However, the whole classrooms and respective outdoors stated higher value of mean temperature than the recommended range for acceptable indoor air quality of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers [18] at 23.0°C to 26°C. The I/O for temperature of each classroom stated in small value, range between 0.93-1.11.…”

“…The I/O for temperature of each classroom stated in small value, range between 0.93-1.11. Generally, relative humidity in four natural ventilation classrooms (S7-43D-R3, SP15-R1, SP15-R2 and KS-SU3-R1) exceeded the [18] recommendation limit at 30%-65%. The I/O relative humidity of each classroom have shown in small ranging, except the air-condition classroom PJ-KD6-R2 at 0.76 with the lowest ratio indoor-outdoor, suggesting that the mechanical air-conditioner have controlled the indoor environment.…”

“…The air-conditioned S7-43D-R2 classroom with density of 22 pupils stated the highest mean value of CO2 at 1680 ppm, followed by PJ-KD6-R2 air-conditioned classroom with 20 pupils' density at 1295 ppm, CO2 mean value concentration 1293ppm for PJ-KD6-R1 (pupils density: 19 people) and air-conditioned classroom S7-43D-R1( with 19 pupils density) at 1054 ppm of CO2 mean value. These 4 air-conditioned classrooms have exceeded 1000 ppm as stipulated standard limit in The Malaysian Code of Practice [19] and [18] Meanwhile, the natural ventilation classrooms (S7-56A-R1, S7-43D-R3, SP15-R1, SP-15-R2, PJ-SU3-R1) seem to have a good indoor air quality, where the indoor CO2 mean value concentrations were [18] and [19] limit. Although, S7-56A-R1, S7-43D-R1, PJ-KD6-R1 and PJ-KD6-R3 has the similar numbers of pupil density at a time but the mean values of CO2 were vary with different ventilation strategies.…”