Asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents of preschool children in relation to climate, and dampness and mold in dwellings in China

Juan Wang; Zhuohui Zhao; Yinping Zhang; Baizhan Li; Chen Huang; Xin Zhang; Qihong Deng; Chan Lu; Hua Qian; Xu Yang; Yuexia Sun; Jan Sundell; Dan Norbäck

Environment International (Sep 2019)

Asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents of preschool children in relation to climate, and dampness and mold in dwellings in China

Juan Wang,
Zhuohui Zhao,
Yinping Zhang,
Baizhan Li,
Chen Huang,
Xin Zhang,
Qihong Deng,
Chan Lu,
Hua Qian,
Xu Yang,
Yuexia Sun,
Jan Sundell,
Dan Norbäck

Affiliations

Juan Wang: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Corresponding author.
Zhuohui Zhao: Department of Environmental Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Yinping Zhang: School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
Baizhan Li: Joint International Research Laboratory of Green Buildings and Built Environments (Ministry of Education), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings (Ministry of Science and Technology), Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
Chen Huang: Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, School of environment and Architecture, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
Xin Zhang: Research Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, China
Qihong Deng: Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; School of Energy Science and engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
Chan Lu: Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China; School of Energy Science and engineering, Central South University, Changsha, China
Hua Qian: School of Energy Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
Xu Yang: College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Yuexia Sun: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Jan Sundell: School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
Dan Norbäck: Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 130

Abstract

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The main aim was to study associations between asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults across China and dampness and mold at home. Young adults (N = 40,279) in eight cities in China answered a questionnaire in 2010–2012 (response rate 75.0%). Data on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and the home environment was assessed by the questionnaire. Climate data was obtained from China Meteorological Administration and the website of Weather Underground. Health associations were analyzed by two-level logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates. Totally 1.6% had asthma, 6.6% allergic rhinitis and 2.2% eczema. Mold odor was associated with asthma (OR = 1.90) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.25–1.44). Window pane condensation in winter was associated with asthma (OR = 1.39), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.26–1.58) and eczema (OR = 1.36–1.77). Presence of mold spots or damp stains was related to asthma (OR = 1.58–2.49), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.35–1.76) and eczema (OR = 1.47–1.70). Water damage was related to asthma (OR = 1.69–1.82), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.40–1.45) and eczema (OR = 1.44–1.96). Damp bed clothing was related to asthma (OR = 1.23), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.23) and eczema (OR = 1.35). A higher dampness score was associated with increased odds ratios for diseases. Those living in older buildings had more asthma (OR = 1.39–1.76) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.16–1.21). Those living in suburban or rural areas had less asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema as compared to those living in urban areas (OR values from 0.24 to 0.66). Stronger health associations with dampness and mold were found in southern China and in newer buildings (constructed after 2005). In conclusion, dampness and mold at home can be risk factors for asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults in China. Living in older buildings can be risk factors for asthma or allergic rhinitis while living in less urbanized areas can be protective. Keywords: Asthma, Allergic rhinitis, Eczema, Dampness, Mold, Climate

Published in Environment International

ISSN: 0160-4120 (Print)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international

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