Effect of Traffic Exposure on Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms among Parents/Grandparents of Preschool Children in Beijing, China

PLoS One. 2015 Jun 18;10(6):e0128767. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128767. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Introduction: Sick building syndrome (SBS) includes general, mucosal and skin symptoms. It is typically associated with an individual's place of work or residence. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of traffic exposure on SBS symptoms in Beijing, China.

Methods: From January to May, 2011, recruitment occurred at kindergartens in 11 districts in Beijing. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed by teachers to legal guardians of children and then returned to teachers. The questionnaire asked them to recall the presence of 12 SBS symptoms from the previous three months. Living near a highway or main road (within 200 meters) was used as a proxy for traffic exposure. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association between traffic exposure and a higher number of SBS symptoms, controlling for key covariates.

Results: There were 5487 valid questionnaires (65.0% response rate). Univariate analysis showed that living near a main road or highway (OR = 1.40), female gender (OR = 1.44), and environmental tobacco smoking (ETS) (OR = 1.13) were significant risk factors for general symptoms. Grandparent's generation (OR = 0.32) and home ownership (owner vs. renter) (OR = 0.89) were significant protective factors. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for the association between living close to a highway and general symptoms remained significant in the multivariable model (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.21: 1.59). ORs and aORs were similar for mucosal and skin symptoms.

Conclusions: This study found traffic exposure to be significantly associated with SBS symptoms. This finding is consistent with current literature that indicates an association between adverse health effects and living near highway or main road.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Beijing / epidemiology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects*
  • Environmental Exposure / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Grandparents
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Vehicles*
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Sick Building Syndrome / epidemiology
  • Sick Building Syndrome / etiology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (51136002) and Charoen Pokphand Group (through the Health And Places Initiative, a joint project between the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard University Graduate School of Design). Support from Charoen Pokphand Group was used to complete the analysis of these data and preparation of the manuscript. However, the Charoen Pokphand Group did not play any role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.