Asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among parents of preschool children in relation to climate, and dampness and mold in dwellings in ChinaShow others and affiliations
2019 (English)In: Environment International, ISSN 0160-4120, E-ISSN 1873-6750, Vol. 130, article id 104910Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
The main aim was to study associations between asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults across China and dampness and mold at home. Young adults (N = 40,279) in eight cities in China answered a questionnaire in 2010-2012 (response rate 75.0%). Data on asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema and the home environment was assessed by the questionnaire. Climate data was obtained from China Meteorological Administration and the website of Weather Underground. Health associations were analyzed by two-level logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates. Totally 1.6% had asthma, 6.6% allergic rhinitis and 2.2% eczema. Mold odor was associated with asthma (OR = 1.90) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.25-1.44). Window pane condensation in winter was associated with asthma (OR = 1.39), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.26-1.58) and eczema (OR = 1.36-1.77). Presence of mold spots or damp stains was related to asthma (OR = 1.58-2.49), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.35-1.76) and eczema (OR = 1.47-1.70). Water damage was related to asthma (OR = 1.69-1.82), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.40-1.45) and eczema (OR = 1.44-1.96). Damp bed clothing was related to asthma (OR = 1.23), allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.23) and eczema (OR = 1.35). A higher dampness score was associated with increased odds ratios for diseases. Those living in older buildings had more asthma (OR = 1.39-1.76) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.16-1.21). Those living in suburban or rural areas had less asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema as compared to those living in urban areas (OR values from 0.24 to 0.66). Stronger health associations with dampness and mold were found in southern China and in newer buildings (constructed after 2005). In conclusion, dampness and mold at home can be risk factors for asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema among adults in China. Living in older buildings can be risk factors for asthma or allergic rhinitis while living in less urbanized areas can be protective.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD , 2019. Vol. 130, article id 104910
Keywords [en]
Asthma, Allergic rhinitis, Eczema, Dampness, Mold, Climate
National Category
Respiratory Medicine and Allergy
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-392122DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.104910ISI: 000477934800019PubMedID: 31226554OAI: oai:DiVA.org:uu-392122DiVA, id: diva2:1348211
Funder
Swedish Research Council, 2017-05845AFA Insurance, 4678011002019-09-032019-09-032019-09-03Bibliographically approved