A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Prevalence of sick building syndrome and its association with perceived indoor environmental quality in an Asian multi-ethnic working population
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3404-3888
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6497-0717
Abstract Background Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition affecting occupants of a building from which they may experience a series of non-specific symptoms from being in that building. We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of SBS (2), assess the association between perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in aboveground and underground workspaces, and to what extent workspace location modifies these associations. Methods A total of 329 workers in aboveground and underground workspaces were followed-up in three assessments for 12 months in Singapore. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle/health-related factors, and workplace factors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Perceived IEQ satisfaction score of air, temperature, noise, and light were collected using the OFFICAIR questionnaire. We used generalised estimating equation models to assess the association between perceived IEQ and SBS, adjusting for potential confounders. SBS was defined as having two or more symptoms at least twice per week. Results The prevalence of SBS declined significantly from 17.9% to 8.5% over the assessments. The odds ratio for SBS associated with 1-unit increase in perceived air quality score was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.97) in both workspaces combined and 0.91 (0.86–0.97) in aboveground workspaces. The odd ratio associated with 1-unit increase in perceived temperature comfort score was 0.94 (0.89–1.00) in both workspaces combined and 0.87 (0.78–0.96) in underground workspaces. No modification effect of workspace location was observed. Conclusion Perceived indoor environmental quality can provide a useful tool for environmental health impact assessments. Our findings have potential implications for the development of healthy building policies.
Highlights Prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) decreased over the study period. Domains of perceived IEQ were compared in above and underground workspaces. Air quality and temperature comfort were significant with SBS. There is no significant association between workspace location and SBS.
Prevalence of sick building syndrome and its association with perceived indoor environmental quality in an Asian multi-ethnic working population
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3404-3888
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6497-0717
Abstract Background Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition affecting occupants of a building from which they may experience a series of non-specific symptoms from being in that building. We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of SBS (2), assess the association between perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in aboveground and underground workspaces, and to what extent workspace location modifies these associations. Methods A total of 329 workers in aboveground and underground workspaces were followed-up in three assessments for 12 months in Singapore. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle/health-related factors, and workplace factors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Perceived IEQ satisfaction score of air, temperature, noise, and light were collected using the OFFICAIR questionnaire. We used generalised estimating equation models to assess the association between perceived IEQ and SBS, adjusting for potential confounders. SBS was defined as having two or more symptoms at least twice per week. Results The prevalence of SBS declined significantly from 17.9% to 8.5% over the assessments. The odds ratio for SBS associated with 1-unit increase in perceived air quality score was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.97) in both workspaces combined and 0.91 (0.86–0.97) in aboveground workspaces. The odd ratio associated with 1-unit increase in perceived temperature comfort score was 0.94 (0.89–1.00) in both workspaces combined and 0.87 (0.78–0.96) in underground workspaces. No modification effect of workspace location was observed. Conclusion Perceived indoor environmental quality can provide a useful tool for environmental health impact assessments. Our findings have potential implications for the development of healthy building policies.
Highlights Prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) decreased over the study period. Domains of perceived IEQ were compared in above and underground workspaces. Air quality and temperature comfort were significant with SBS. There is no significant association between workspace location and SBS.
Prevalence of sick building syndrome and its association with perceived indoor environmental quality in an Asian multi-ethnic working population
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3404-3888
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6497-0717
Abstract Background Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition affecting occupants of a building from which they may experience a series of non-specific symptoms from being in that building. We aimed to (1) estimate the prevalence of SBS (2), assess the association between perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in aboveground and underground workspaces, and to what extent workspace location modifies these associations. Methods A total of 329 workers in aboveground and underground workspaces were followed-up in three assessments for 12 months in Singapore. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle/health-related factors, and workplace factors were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Perceived IEQ satisfaction score of air, temperature, noise, and light were collected using the OFFICAIR questionnaire. We used generalised estimating equation models to assess the association between perceived IEQ and SBS, adjusting for potential confounders. SBS was defined as having two or more symptoms at least twice per week. Results The prevalence of SBS declined significantly from 17.9% to 8.5% over the assessments. The odds ratio for SBS associated with 1-unit increase in perceived air quality score was 0.93 (95% CI: 0.89–0.97) in both workspaces combined and 0.91 (0.86–0.97) in aboveground workspaces. The odd ratio associated with 1-unit increase in perceived temperature comfort score was 0.94 (0.89–1.00) in both workspaces combined and 0.87 (0.78–0.96) in underground workspaces. No modification effect of workspace location was observed. Conclusion Perceived indoor environmental quality can provide a useful tool for environmental health impact assessments. Our findings have potential implications for the development of healthy building policies.
Highlights Prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) decreased over the study period. Domains of perceived IEQ were compared in above and underground workspaces. Air quality and temperature comfort were significant with SBS. There is no significant association between workspace location and SBS.
Prevalence of sick building syndrome and its association with perceived indoor environmental quality in an Asian multi-ethnic working population
Thach, Thuan-Quoc (author) / Mahirah, Dhiya (author) / Dunleavy, Gerard (author) / Nazeha, Nuraini (author) / Zhang, Yichi (author) / Tan, Christina En Hui (author) / Roberts, Adam Charles (author) / Christopoulos, George (author) / Soh, Chee Kiong (author) / Car, Josip (author)
Building and Environment ; 166
2019-09-16
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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