Prevalence and risk factors associated with nonspecific building‐related symptoms in office employees in Japan: relationships between work environment,Indoor Air Quality,and occupational stress |
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| Authors: | K. Azuma K. Ikeda N. Kagi U. Yanagi H. Osawa |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Environmental Medicine and Behavioral Science, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan;2. Department of Architecture, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Chiyoda‐ku, Tokyo, Japan;3. Department of Mechanical and Environmental Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Meguro‐ku, Tokyo, Japan;4. Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Kogakuin University, Shinjuku‐ku, Tokyo, Japan;5. National Institute of Public Health, Wako, Saitama, Japan |
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| Abstract: | A nationwide cross‐sectional study of 3335 employees was conducted in 320 offices in Japan to estimate the prevalence of building‐related symptoms (BRSs) and determine the risk factors related to work environment, Indoor Air Quality, and occupational stress. Data were collected through self‐administered questionnaires. The prevalences of general symptoms, eye irritation, and upper respiratory symptoms were 14.4%, 12.1%, and 8.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that eye irritation was significantly associated with carpeting [odds ratio (OR), 1.73; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–2.41], coldness perception (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13–1.45), and air dryness perception (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.42–1.82). General symptoms were significantly associated with unpleasant odors (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.13–1.65), amount of work (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.06–1.45), and interpersonal conflicts (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.23–1.69). Upper respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with crowded workspaces (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.13–1.63), air dryness perception (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.79–2.38), and reported dustiness on the floor (OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.16–1.67). Although psychosocial support is important to reduce and control BRSs, maintaining appropriate air‐conditioning and a clean and uncrowded workspace is of equal importance. |
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| Keywords: | Epidemiology Building‐related symptoms Indoor Air Quality Sick Building Syndrome Work environment Occupational stress |
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