Relationships between mite allergen levels, mold concentrations, and sick building syndrome symptoms in newly built dwellings in Japan

This study investigated the possible relationships between exposures tomite allergen and airborne fungi with sick building syndrome (SBS) symptomsfor residents living in newly built dwellings. We randomly sampled 5709 newlybuilt dwellings in six prefectures from northern to southern Japan. A total of1479 residents in 425 households participated in the study by completing ques-tionnaire surveys and agreeing to environmental monitoring for mite allergen(Der 1), airborne fungi, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds. Stepwiselogistic regression analyses adjusted for confounders were used to obtain oddsratios (OR) of mite allergen and fungi for SBS symptoms. Der 1 had a signifi-cantly high OR for nose symptoms.Rhodotorulahad a significantly high OR forany symptoms, andAspergillushad significantly high OR for eye symptoms.However, the total colony-forming units had a significantly low OR for throatand respiratory symptoms.Eurotiumhad a significantly low OR for skinsymptoms. In conclusion, dust-mite allergen levels and indoor airborneRhodotorulaandAspergillusconcentrations may result in SBS symptoms innewly built dwellings.