Risk factors for the onset of sick building syndrome: A cross-sectional survey of housing and health in Japan

Abstract

Abstract People s living environments and lifestyles have drastically changed with the times. It is necessary to reassess risk factors associated with changes in social conditions to prevent sick building syndrome (SBS). This study aimed to determine the association between the onset of SBS and participant characteristics, social and residential environments, and lifestyle. An online nationwide questionnaire survey involving 4996 participants was conducted. The risk factors for SBS were examined using logistic regression analyses. The main risk factors for SBS were female sex (odds ratio [OR]\u202f=\u202f1.20, confidence interval [CI]\u202f=\u202f1.01–1.42) and young age (OR\u202f=\u202f2.42, CI\u202f=\u202f1.55–3.78). Other risk factors included having a medical history of allergies and mental illness (OR\u202f=\u202f1.75, CI\u202f=\u202f1.34–2.29), special housing specifications for the indoor environment (OR\u202f=\u202f0.77, CI\u202f=\u202f0.63–0.95), smoking indoors (OR\u202f=\u202f1.25, CI\u202f=\u202f1.00–1.55), and others. Women, young individuals, and those with a history of diseases, such as allergies and mental illness, had an increased risk of SBS, indicating that such individuals need to pay attention to chemical exposure. The study results indicate the possibility of preventing SBS by the careful selection of indoor environments and lifestyle.