| Title: | Is indoor environment a risk factor of building-related symptoms? |
| Author(s): | Tsumura K; Nakaoka H; Suzuki N; Takaguchi K; Nakayama Y; Shimatani K; Mori C; |
| Address: | "Graduate School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. Department of Bioenvironmental Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan" |
| DOI: | 10.1371/journal.pone.0279757 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1932-6203 (Electronic) 1932-6203 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "The indoor environment, particularly indoor air quality (IAQ), is significantly associated with building-related symptoms (BRSs) in humans. In our previous studies, we demonstrated a significant relationship between BRSs and indoor chemical concentrations. In Japan, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) guideline recommends an air quality target of 13 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a provisional target of 400 mug/m3 for total VOCs (TVOC). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between TVOC levels and the risk of BRSs using the Japanese provisional target TVOC level of 400 mug/m3. The relationship between odor intensity and BRSs while the TVOC levels were under 400 mug/m3 was also examined. The study was conducted in a laboratory house (LH) on the campus of Chiba University from 2017-2019. The study included 149 participants who spent 60 minutes in the LH. The participants were asked to evaluate the IAQ of the LH. A significant relationship between the risk of BRSs and the provisional target TVOC level was observed (odds ratio: 2.94, 95% confidence interval: 1.18-7.35). Furthermore, a significant relationship between odor intensity and risk of BRSs in spaces with TVOC levels less than 400 mug/m3 was detected (odds ratio: 6.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.21-30.44). In conclusion, the risk of BRSs is significantly lower in spaces with low TVOC levels and low odor intensity. Reducing the concentration of airborne chemicals and odor intensity may improve IAQ and prevent BRSs" |
| Keywords: | "Humans Environmental Monitoring *Air Pollution, Indoor/adverse effects/analysis *Volatile Organic Compounds/adverse effects/analysis Universities Risk Factors *Air Pollutants/analysis;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineTsumura, Kayo Nakaoka, Hiroko Suzuki, Norimichi Takaguchi, Kohki Nakayama, Yoshitake Shimatani, Keiichi Mori, Chisato eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2023/01/26 PLoS One. 2023 Jan 25; 18(1):e0279757. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279757. eCollection 2023" |
