A Longitudinal Study of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) among Pupils in Relation to SO(2), NO(2), O(3) and PM(10) in Schools in China

There are fewer longitudinal studies from China on symptoms as described for the sick building syndrome (SBS). Here, we performed a two-year prospective study and investigated associations between environmental parameters such as room temperature, relative air humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO(2)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), sulphur dioxide (SO(2)), ozone (O(3)), particulate matter (PM(10)), and health outcomes including prevalence, incidence and remission of SBS symptoms in junior high schools in Taiyuan, China. Totally 2134 pupils participated at baseline, and 1325 stayed in the same classrooms during the study period (2010–2012). The prevalence of mucosal symptoms, general symptoms and symptoms improved when away from school (school-related symptoms) was 22.7%, 20.4% and 39.2%, respectively, at baseline, and the prevalence increased during follow-up (P<0.001). At baseline, both indoor and outdoor SO(2) were found positively associated with prevalence of school-related symptoms. Indoor O(3) was shown to be positively associated with prevalence of skin symptoms. At follow-up, indoor PM(10) was found to be positively associated with new onset of skin, mucosal and general symptoms. CO(2) and RH were positively associated with new onset of mucosal, general and school-related symptoms. Outdoor SO(2) was positively associated with new onset of skin symptoms, while outdoor NO(2) was positively associated with new onset of skin, general and mucosal symptoms. Outdoor PM(10) was found to be positively associated with new onset of skin, general and mucosal symptoms as well as school-related symptoms. In conclusion, symptoms as described for SBS were commonly found in school children in Taiyuan City, China, and increased during the two-year follow-up period. Environmental pollution, including PM(10), SO(2) and NO(2), could increase the prevalence and incidence of SBS and decrease the remission rate. Moreover, parental asthma and allergy (heredity) and pollen or pet allergy (atopy) can be risk factors for SBS.