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Personal, Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Related to Sick Building Syndrome in Official Employees of Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Chung-Yen Lu

    (Department of Sport and Health Management, Da-Yeh University, Changhua 51591, Taiwan)

  • Meng-Chuan Tsai

    (Department of Sport and Health Management, Da-Yeh University, Changhua 51591, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Hsin Muo

    (Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Hsien Kuo

    (Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan)

  • Fung-Chang Sung

    (Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
    Department of Health Services Administration, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chin-Ching Wu

    (Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of symptoms that can be attributed to exposure to specific building conditions. The present study recruited 389 participants aged 20–65 years from 87 offices of 16 institutions to examine if personal factors, work-related psychosocial stress, and work environments, were associated with five groups of SBS symptoms, including symptoms for eyes, upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, skin, and non-specific systems. Indoor environmental conditions were monitored. Data were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression (MLR) analyses and were reported as adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR). SBS symptoms for eyes were associated with older age, sensitivity to tobacco, and low indoor air flow. Upper respiratory symptoms were related to smoking, low social support, longer work days, and dry air. High indoor air flow was associated with reduced upper respiratory symptoms (aOR = 0.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.13–0.67). Lower respiratory symptoms were associated with high work pressure, longer work hours, chemical exposure, migraine, and exposure to new interior painting. Recent interior painting exposure was associated with a high estimated relative risk of low respiratory symptoms (aOR = 20.6; 95% CI = 2.96–143). Smoking, longer work days, low indoor air flow, indoor dryness, and volatile organics exposure, were associated with other non-specified symptoms including headache, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, anger, and dizziness. In conclusion, there are various SBS symptoms associated with different personal characteristics, psychosocial, and environmental factors. Psychosocial factors had stronger relationships with lower respiratory symptoms than with other types of SBS symptoms. Good ventilation could reduce risk factors and may relieve SBS symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Chung-Yen Lu & Meng-Chuan Tsai & Chih-Hsin Muo & Yu-Hsien Kuo & Fung-Chang Sung & Chin-Ching Wu, 2017. "Personal, Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Related to Sick Building Syndrome in Official Employees of Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2017:i:1:p:7-:d:123918
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chung-Yen Lu & Yee-Chung Ma & Pei-Chun Chen & Chin-Ching Wu & Yi-Chun Chen, 2014. "Oxidative Stress of Office Workers Relevant to Tobacco Smoking and Inner Air Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-12, May.
    2. Chung-Yen Lu & Jia-Min Lin & Ying-Yi Chen & Yi-Chun Chen, 2015. "Building-Related Symptoms among Office Employees Associated with Indoor Carbon Dioxide and Total Volatile Organic Compounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hiroko Nakaoka & Norimichi Suzuki & Akifumi Eguchi & Daisuke Matsuzawa & Chisato Mori, 2022. "Impact of Exposure to Indoor Air Chemicals on Health and the Progression of Building-Related Symptoms: A Case Report," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Lizhi Wu & Xueqing Li & Pengchen Tu & Xiaofeng Wang & Zhijian Chen & Mingluan Xing, 2023. "Depressive Symptoms and Associated Factors among Employees in Public Utility Places of Zhejiang Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    3. Kirsi Karvala & Markku Sainio & Eva Palmquist & Anna-Sara Claeson & Maj-Helen Nyback & Steven Nordin, 2018. "Building-Related Environmental Intolerance and Associated Health in the General Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Vithawat Surawattanasakul & Wachiranun Sirikul & Ratana Sapbamrer & Kampanat Wangsan & Jinjuta Panumasvivat & Pheerasak Assavanopakun & Supang Muangkaew, 2022. "Respiratory Symptoms and Skin Sick Building Syndrome among Office Workers at University Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Associations with Indoor Air Quality, AIRMED Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.
    5. Aki Vuokko & Kirsi Karvala & Jussi Lampi & Leea Keski-Nisula & Markku Pasanen & Raimo Voutilainen & Juha Pekkanen & Markku Sainio, 2018. "Environmental Intolerance, Symptoms and Disability Among Fertile-Aged Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-12, February.

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