Sick building syndrome-like symptoms in emergency prefabricated accommodation.

Abstract The present study investigated the sources of discomfort and the symptoms reported by earthquake victims residing in temporary emergency prefabricated accommodation (prefab) in villages in the middle of Italy. The investigation was carried out by means of a standardized questionnaire. 203 prefab occupants and 13 inhabitants of houses not damaged by the earthquake, who were chosen as reference population, replied in winter season and 233 prefab occupants and 154 inhabitants of houses replied in summer season. In both seasons more people living in prefabs indentified dry air, stuffy air, stale air, dust, dampness, uncomfortable temperature and bad odours as sources of discomfort. They also complained of general symptoms such as headache, irritablility, insomnia, difficulty in concentration and irritative symptoms of the eyes, upper and lower airways and skin. Multiple regression analysis identified the type of accommodation as the variable that most influenced the onset of general, ocular, upper and lower airway symptoms. Intrinsic characteristics of the prefabs, for example being constructed with synthetic materials, combustion sources, poor ventilation and insulation and psychosocial factors, for example losing their home, could have contributed to the onset of symptoms. In conclusion living in temporary house raised complain and irritative symptoms in sample of population that underwent an earthquake.