title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. kakuchina_1@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Kazuhito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.forename: Fengyuan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piao
authors.forename: Kiyoshi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khalequzzaman
authors.forename: Michihiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamijima
authors.forename: Tamie
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakajima
authors.forename: Fumihiko
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kitamura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002681:China; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants