2Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in numerous products. However, there has been some concern 3 about the various effects they may have on human health. Thus, household phthalate levels are an important 4 public health issue. While many studies have assessed phthalate levels in house dust, the association of these 5 levels with building characteristics has scarcely been examined. The present study investigated phthalate 6 levels in house dust samples collected from the living areas of homes, and examined associations between 7 these phthalate levels and the interior materials. Dust was collected from two portions of the living area: 8 floor dust from the entire floor surface, and multi-surface dust from objects more than 35 cm above the floor. 9The levels of seven phthalates were measured using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in selective ion 10 monitoring mode. Phthalate levels were higher in multi-surface dust than in floor dust. Among floor dust 11 samples, those from dwellings with compressed wooden flooring had significantly higher levels of di-iso-

The demand for phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs) has recently increased as an alternative to polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). PFRs have been detected in house dust, but little is known about the concentrations of PFRs in private homes and the effects on human health.

BackgroundUse of fuel heaters is associated with childhood asthma. However, no studies have evaluated the associations of flue use and mechanical ventilation (ventilation) with asthma symptoms in schoolchildren.MethodsThis cross-sectional study investigated schoolchildren in grades 1 through 6 (age 6–12 years) in Sapporo, Japan. From November 2008 through January 2009, parents completed questionnaires regarding their home environment and their children’s asthma symptoms.ResultsIn total, 4445 (69.5%) parents of 6393 children returned the questionnaire. After excluding incomplete responses, data on 3874 children (60.6%) were analyzed. The prevalence of current asthma symptoms and ever asthma symptoms were 12.8% and 30.9%, respectively. As compared with electric heaters, current asthma symptoms was associated with use of flued heaters without ventilation (OR = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.03–2.64) and unflued heaters with ventilation (OR = 1.77; 95% CI, 1.09–2.95) or without ventilation (OR = 2.23; 95% CI, 1.31–3.85). Regardless of dampness, unflued heaters were significantly associated with current asthma symptoms in the presence and absence of ventilation.ConclusionsUse of unflued heaters was associated with current asthma symptoms, regardless of dampness. In particular, the prevalence of current asthma symptoms was higher in the absence of ventilation than in the presence of ventilation. Ever asthma symptoms was only associated with use of unflued heaters without ventilation. Consequently, use of fuel heaters, especially those that have no flue or ventilation, deserves attention, as their use might be associated with childhood asthma symptoms.

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