title: Indoor air pollutants and health in the United Arab Emirates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Comprehensive global data on the health effects of indoor air pollutants are lacking. There are few large population-based multi-air pollutant health assessments. Further, little is known about indoor air health risks in the Middle East, especially in countries undergoing rapid economic development.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide multifactorial indoor air exposure and health data, we conducted a population-based study of indoor air pollution and health in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study in a population-based sample of 628 households in the UAE. Indoor air pollutants [sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), formaldehyde (HCHO), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter] were measured using passive samplers over a 7-day period. Health information was collected from 1,590 household members via in-person interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants in households with quantified SO2, NO2, and H2S (i.e., with measured concentrations above the limit of quantification) were twice as likely to report doctor-diagnosed asthma. Participants in homes with quantified SO2 were more likely to report wheezing symptoms {ever wheezing, prevalence odds ratio [POR] 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 3.05]; speech-limiting wheeze, POR 3.53 (95% CI: 1.06, 11.74)}. NO2 and H2S were similarly associated with wheezing symptoms. Quantified HCHO was associated with neurologic symptoms (difficulty concentrating POR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.13). Burning incense daily was associated with increased headaches (POR 1.87; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.21), difficulty concentrating (POR 3.08; 95% CI: 1.70, 5.58), and forgetfulness (POR 2.68: 95% CI: 1.47, 4.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides new information regarding potential health risks from pollutants commonly found in indoor environments in the UAE and other countries. Multipollutant exposure and health assessments in cohort studies are needed to better characterize health effects of indoor air pollutants.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. Karin_Yeatts@unc.edu
authors.forename: Karin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Yeatts
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Sadig
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leith
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kalsbeek
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Maskari
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Couper
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Funk
authors.forename: Taoufik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zoubeidi
authors.forename: Ronna L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Chris B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Trent
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Maryanne G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Boundy
authors.forename: Maamoon M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Kassab
authors.forename: Mohamed Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rusyn
authors.forename: Jacqueline MacDonald
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Olshan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010316:Particle Size; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011786:Quality Control; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014479:United Arab Emirates / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants