Perception of Dry Air: Links to the Indoor Environment and Respiratory and Allergic Symptoms Among Occupants

Perceived dry air is a common complaint in indoor environments, yet its health associations and environmental factors related to this perception are unclear. We surveyed 7865 families and measured the indoor environment in 399 dwellings in Tianjin, China, from 2013 to 2016. It was found that 10% of the surveyed families reported frequently perceived dry air. The dry air perception was significantly associated with wheeze (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.60), rhinitis (AOR = 1.91), eczema (AOR = 1.89), and common cold infections (AOR = 1.64) in children and sick building syndrome symptoms in adults (AOR: 2.63–8.59). Higher concentrations of di-isobutyl (DiBP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBzP) were observed in homes with dry air perception. Although higher relative humidity might reduce the perception of dry air (AOR = 0.66), lower air exchange rates attenuated the protective effect. Additionally, building characteristics related to pollution exposures, such as living near highways (AOR = 1.31), visible mold spots (AOR = 1.50), and suspected moisture problems (AOR = 1.88), were associated with indoor dry air perception. Our findings suggest that perceived dry air was correlated with indoor exposure to pollution and could be used as an indicator for sick buildings.