Ocular, airway, and dermal symptoms related to building dampness and odors in dwellings

The authors examined the relationship between symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome and reports of building dampness and odors. Two hundred thirty-one multifamily buildings built prior to 1961 in Stockholm, Sweden, contained a total of 4,815 dwellings. The authors selected these buildings for study by stratified random sampling. Occupants answered a postal questionnaire that assessed weekly symptoms, personal factors, population density in each apartment, water leakage in the preceding 5 yr, different types of odors, and signs of high indoor air humidity. The response rate was 77%. Independent information on building characteristics was gathered from the building owners and the central building register in Stockholm. Multiple logistic-regression analysis was applied and odds ratios were calculated, with adjustments for age, gender, current smoking, hay fever, population density, type of ventilation, and ownership of the building. In total, 22% reported at least 1 sign of dampness, and 32% reported odor in the dwelling. Condensation on windows, high air humidity in the bathroom, moldy odor, and water leakage were reported from 6.8%, 8.8%, 5.7%, and 13% of the dwellings, respectively. A combination of odor and signs of high humidity was related to an increased occurrence of all symptoms (odds ratios = 2.2-3.6). Similar findings were observed for a combination of odors and a history of water leakage in the past 5 yr (odds ratios = 1.2-4.4). Symptoms increased with the number of signs of dampness. The study indicated that dampness in dwellings, with emissions of odorous compounds, are associated with an increase in symptoms consistent with Sick Building Syndrome.