Home environment exposure and sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms among adults in southern China: Health associations in 2010 and 2019

We studied time trends in home environment and sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms in a repeat study in five cities in southern China. Moreover, we studied associations between home environment exposure and SBS symptoms. Parents from randomly selected day care centers were invited. One parent per family answered a questionnaire on the home environment and their own SBS symptoms. Data collection was performed in two surveys in 2010 and 2019 (27,292 participants in 2010 and 32,073 in 2019). We used two-level logistic regression to analyze health associations. Asthma decreased from 1.7% to 1.5% (P < 0.05) but allergic rhinitis increased from 6.5% to 16.4% (P < 0.001). All SBS symptoms decreased from 2010 to 2019 (all P < 0.001). Most aspects of the home environment improved from 2010 to 2019 but there were less cleaning, more cats, dogs, and urbanization in 2019. Redecoration, new furniture, and pests were associated with most types of SBS symptoms, similarly in 2010 and 2019. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was associated with SBS symptoms in 2019 only. In conclusion, prevalence of SBS symptoms among young parents in southern China decreased from 2010 to 2019 but allergic rhinitis increased. Cockroaches, rats, mice, mosquitoes or flies can be consistent biological risk factors for SBS symptoms. Redecoration, buying new furniture and traffic air pollution are other risk factors for SBS symptoms. Daily cleaning, frequently putting bedding to sunshine, and having a fan in the bathroom can be protective factors. ETS is an emerging risk factor for SBS symptoms.