Wang, JuanJanson, ChristerGíslason, ÞórarinnGunnbjörnsdottir, María IJogi, RainOrru, HansNorbäck, Dan2025-11-202025-11-202024-10-01Wang, J, Janson, C, Gíslason, Þ, Gunnbjörnsdottir, M I, Jogi, R, Orru, H & Norbäck, D 2024, 'Mold, bacteria, allergens, and volatile organic compounds in homes associated with tear film break-up time, oculo-nasal symptoms, and allergic rhinitis', Building and Environment, vol. 264, 111923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.1119230360-13232278837065e991c47-b7bb-4e72-a378-e99c647e1d1d85200820811https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/7585Publisher Copyright: © 2024 The AuthorsIndoor bacteria, mold, allergens, and selected volatile organic compounds (VOC) were measured at home in three Nordic cities. Data on self-reported tear film break-up time (SBUT), weekly oculo-nasal symptoms during the past three months, and allergic rhinitis of 159 adults were obtained. Among them, 58 % were females, 24.5 % were atopics, and 41 % reported home dampness. The median SBUT was 22.3 s. Oculo-nasal symptoms (15.3 %) and allergic rhinitis (32.7 %) were common. A higher level of 2-hexanone was linked to lower SBUT (p = 0.036). Higher levels of total mold (p = 0.038), allergen Fel d 1 from cat (p = 0.045), and allergen Der p 1 (p = 0.012) and Der f 1 (p = 0.036) from house dust mite (HDM), were related to more oculo-nasal symptoms. Higher levels of 3-methylfuran (p = 0.003), 2-hexanone (p = 0.037), 2-heptanone (p = 0.018), and 1-octen-3-ol (p = 0.001) were linked to oculo-nasal symptoms. Higher levels of viable bacteria (p = 0.015), 3-octanone (p = 0.049) and formaldehyde (p = 0.039) were linked to allergic rhinitis. The association between 2-heptanone and oculo-nasal symptoms (interaction p = 0.012), and between isobutyl acetate and allergic rhinitis (interaction p = 0.084) were more pronounced in women. The negative association between 2-hexanone and SBUT was stronger among atopics (interaction p = 0.098), and the links between viable bacteria and allergic rhinitis (interaction p = 0.003) and between Der f 1 and oculo-nasal symptoms (interaction p = 0.1) were more pronounced among non-atopics. In conclusion, airborne mold and bacteria, and allergens in dust were associated with oculo-nasal symptoms or allergic rhinitis. 3-Methylfuran, 2-hexanone, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2-heptanone were associated with adult oculo-nasal symptoms. Increased 3-octanone and formaldehyde were related to allergic rhinitis.2091288eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessBacteriaIndoor allergensMoldRhinitisTear film break-up timeVolatile organic compoundsEnvironmental EngineeringCivil and Structural EngineeringGeography, Planning and DevelopmentBuilding and Construction/dk/atira/pure/researchoutput/researchoutputtypes/contributiontojournal/article10.1016/j.buildenv.2024.111923