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A questionnaire survey on dermal symptoms and home environment was performed in eight Chinese cities (40 279 participants). Data on city level temperature, precipitation, PM10, NO2, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita were collected. In total, 2.2% had eczema, 2.4% facial erythema (FE) and 2.6% seborrheic dermatitis symptoms (SD). Higher temperature was associated with eczema (OR = 1.09). Higher GDP per capita was related to less SD. Higher PM10 was related to SD. Suburban living was protective for eczema (OR = 0.77) (vs. urban). Living in old buildings (built before 1991) was related to eczema (OR = 1.42). Living near heavily trafficked roads was related to FE (OR = 1.33) and SD (OR = 1.35). Having new furniture was related to all symptoms (OR = 1.26–1.47). Burning mosquito coils (OR = 1.37–1.57) and incense (OR = 1.33–1.37) were associated with eczema, FE, or SD. Presence of cockroaches and rats/mice was associated with FE or SD (OR = 1.31–1.40). Using air conditioner, daily cleaning and frequently exposing bedding to sunshine were protective (OR = 0.60–0.83). In conclusion, higher temperature, higher PM10, urban living, living near heavily trafficked roads, old buildings, new furniture, burning mosquito coils and incense, and presence of cockroaches/rats/mice increased the risk of eczema, FE, or SD. Higher GDP, air conditioner, daily cleaning, and exposing bedding to sunshine were protective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building ventilation is important for occupants' health. There are few studies of associations between home ventilation and occupant's health in China. During 2013‐2016, we measured ventilation in 399 homes in Tianjin and Cangzhou, China, and surveyed the health history of children. Ventilation rates were measured using mass balance of occupant generated CO2. The associations of home ventilation with children's asthma and allergy were analyzed in different strata of time and space. A low bedroom ventilation at night was significantly associated with an increased proportion of rhinitis among children (rhinitis current, adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.59; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01‐2.49; diagnosed rhinitis, AOR: 3.02 (1.16‐7.89)). Our findings suggest a dose‐response relationship between ventilation rate at night in children's bedrooms and rhinitis current. The night‐time ventilation rate in bedrooms has a greater association with rhinitis than the whole home ventilation rate during daytime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From October 2010 to April 2012, we conducted a cross‐sectional study of associations between household environments and childhood health among preschool children in eight Chinese cities. Here, we analyze associations of early household renovation with preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), term low birthweight (Term‐LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Parents responded to questions about household renovation and their children's gestational age and birthweight. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, household renovation in the year before pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (sample size: N = 25 813; adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23, 1.01‐1.50) and Term‐LBW (N = 24 823; 1.29, 1.01‐1.67). Household renovation during pregnancy was significantly associated with PTB (N = 25 202; 1.28, 1.01‐1.69). These significant associations were also found in the two‐level (city‐child) logistic regression analyses and in the sensitivity analyses among 21 009 children with complete data in all studied variates. Stronger associations were found in certain subgroups. Our findings indicate that household renovation within one year before pregnancy might be a risk factor for LBW and Term‐LBW, while household renovation during pregnancy could be a risk factor for PTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied dampness and mold in China in relation to rhinitis, ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. A questionnaire study was performed in six cities including 36 541 randomized parents of young children. Seven self‐reported signs of dampness were evaluated. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Totally, 3.1% had weekly rhinitis, 2.8% eye, 4.1% throat and 4.8% skin symptoms, 3.0% headache and 13.9% fatigue. Overall, 6.3% of the homes had mold, 11.1% damp stains, 35.3% damp bed clothing, 12.8% water damage, 45.4% window pane condensation, 11.1% mold odor, and 37.5% humid air. All dampness signs were associated with symptoms (ORs from 1.2 to 4.6; P < 0.001), including rhinitis (ORs from 1.4 to 3.2; P < 0.001), and ORs increased by number of dampness signs. The strongest associations were for mold odor (ORs from 2.3 to 4.6) and humid air (ORs from 2.8 to 4.8). Associations were stronger among men and stronger in Beijing as compared to south China. In conclusion, dampness and mold are common in Chinese homes and associated with rhinitis and ocular, throat and dermal symptoms, headache and fatigue. Men can be more sensitive to dampness and health effects of dampness can be stronger in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the association between the length of use of feeding bottles or pacifiers during childhood and the prevalence of respiratory and allergic morbidities. A large-scale questionnaire survey was performed in day care centers and kindergartens (with children's ages ranging from 2 to 7 years) in southern Taiwan, and a total of 14,862 questionnaires completed by parents were finally recruited for data analysis. Effects of using feeding bottles on children's wheezing/asthma (adjusted OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.00-1.09), allergic rhinitis (adjusted OR: 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08), and eczema (adjusted OR: 1.07, 95% CI 1.01- 1.2) were found.Moreover, significant dose-dependent relationships were further established after an adjustment for confounders was performed that included children's ages, gender, gestational age, birth weight, length of breastfeeding, the age when first given infant formula or complementary foods, family history, parental educational levels, and smoking status, as well as the problem of indoor water damage. This study was the first to reveal the potential risk of using plastic consumer products such as feeding bottles on the reported health status of preschool children in Asian countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author addresses the need to focus on indoor air science. She considers the popularity of the global climate change issue. She discusses the impact of chemical exposure on the endocrine system. She mentions the changes in the study of indoor science. She emphasizes the need for funding for indoor air research.

The author presents the ten most cited articles in the journal "Indoor Air" since 1991. The author mentions the articles about the dampness in buildings and health, the concentrations of volatile organic compounds in indoor air, and the impact of temperature and humidity on the perception of indoor air quality. The author also lists the article on the estimates of improve productivity and health from better indoor environment and another on air quality. The author suggests more collaboration among institutions to support more research on indoor air.

Editorial. Discusses the reasons for studying indoor environment. Concerns on human health; Challenges faced by science and engineering; Impact of indoor pollution study.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue, including one on the 20th anniversary of the journal "Indoor Air."

Provides information on changes in the publication of "Indoor Air." Options available for faster information process; Process for reviewing articles; Use of e-mail.

Editorial. Presents information on the Healthy Buildings 2000 Conference. Organizers; Information on volatile organic compounds.