Association of household environmental factors and respiratory symptoms in children: a multicentric Italian study

Background : Household outdoor/indoor exposures may be important risk factors for respiratory symptoms. Aim: to evaluate the associations of respiratory symptoms with exposures next/inside home in children. Methods : Analyses regard 2,529 Italian schoolchildren (51% males, mean age 10 ± 1.8 years). Information on household characteristics and children's health were provided by the parents. Results : Frequency of symptoms in the past year: 8% wheezing, 23% dry cough at night, 9% any cough, 8% any phlegm, 21% nasal problems, 11% oculo-rhinitic problems. Frequency of exposure next/inside home: 32% vehicular traffic, 14% outdoor pesticides, 7% garage communicating with home, 22% passive smoking, 19% mold/mold odor, 24% condensation on windows (CoW), 24% home renovation, 49% air conditioners, 31% air fresheners. Multiple regression analyses including all considered exposures, and adjusted for gender, age, and crowding index, indicated the following significant associations: wheezing with outdoor pesticides (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.07-2.57), dry cough at night with air fresheners (1.55, 1.24-1.93), any cough with CoW (1.56, 1.07-2.29) and air fresheners (1.53, 1.10-2.14), any phlegm with mold/mold odor (1.56, 1.03-2.38), CoW (1.49, 1.00-2.21), and home renovation (1.59, 3.22-6.53), nasal problems with vehicular traffic (1.27, 1.00-1.64), oculo-rhinitic problems with vehicular traffic (1.49, 1.10-2.06) and outdoor pesticides (1.84, 1.22-2.78). The results did not change after further adjustment for passive smoking, presence of pets, and number of years spent in the current home. Conclusion : Several household environmental conditions are risk factors for respiratory symptoms in Italian schoolchildren. Such information can be useful for preventative strategies.