Dampness in dorm rooms and its associations with allergy and airways infections among college students in China: a cross‐sectional study |
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| Authors: | Y. Sun Y. Zhang J. Sundell Z. Fan L. Bao |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Environmental Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China;2. Texas Allergy, Indoor Environment and Energy Institute, College of Engineering and Computer Science, University of Texas at Tyler, TX, USA;3. International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Abstract A cross‐sectional study was carried out at Tianjin University campus, China, from February 21 to June 10, 2006, to survey the association between dampness in dorms, and allergy and airways infections among college students. The health and dampness conditions were self‐reported by 3436 students living in 1511 dorm rooms located in 13 buildings on the campus. The buildings were selected according to their positions, construction periods and occupant densities. The symptoms involved wheezing, dry cough during night, rhinitis, eczema, cold/flu, ear inflammation, pneumonia and tuberculosis. The indoor moisture signs were mould/damp spots on walls, ceilings and floors; suspected or ever happened water damage; condensation on windowpane in winter and odours perceived by subjects themselves. There was a significant positive association between condensation and dry cough. Eczema was often reported in rooms with moisture problem. Dampness was a significant risk factor for common cold. |
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| Keywords: | Dorm environment Dampness Asthma Rhinitis Eczema Airways infection |
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