<p>The principal aim was to study selected aspects of indoor environment in dwellings and their association with symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS). A validated questionnaire was developed specifically for residential indoor investigations, using sociological principles and test procedures. The questionnaire was mailed to 14,243 multi-family dwellings in Stockholm, selected by stratified random sampling. Females, subjects with a history of atopy, those above 65 y, and those in new buildings reported more symptoms. Subjects owning their own dwelling had less symptoms. A multiple regression model was developed, to identify residential buildings with a higher than expected occurrence of SBS. In total, 28.5% reported at least one sign of building dampness in their home (condensation on windows, humidity in the bathroom, mouldy odour, water leakage). All indicators of dampness were related to symptoms, even when adjusting for demographic data, and other building characteristics (OR=2.9-6.0). Associations between symptoms and other building data was evaluated in older houses, built before 1961. Subjects in older buildings with a mechanical ventilation system had fewer symptoms. Heating by electric radiators, and wood heating was associated with an increase of most types of symptoms (OR=1.2-5.0). Multiple sealing measures (OR=1.3), and major reconstruction (OR=1.1-1.9), was associated with an increase of symptoms. The effect of seasonal adapted ventilation (SAV) was studied in a small experimental study. A 20% reduction of ventilation flow from 0.5-0.8 ac/h to 0.4-0.5 ACH during the heating season increased the perception of poor indoor air quality in the dwelling in general, and in the bedroom. In conclusion, low building age, and building dampness in the dwelling are associated with SBS. In older houses, mechanical ventilation is beneficial. The thesis did not support the view that energy saving measures in general is an important risk factor for SBS, but major reconstruction and multiple sealing measures can be risk factor for symptoms. Reducing the outdoor ventilation flow below the current Swedish ventilation standard (0.5 ACH) may increase the perception of impaired air quality. </p>

The principal aim was to study selected aspects of indoor environment in dwellings and their association with symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS). A validated questionnaire was developed specifically for residential indoor investigations, using sociological principles and test procedures. The questionnaire was mailed to 14,243 multi-family dwellings in Stockholm, selected by stratified random sampling. Females, subjects with a history of atopy, those above 65 y, and those in new buildings reported more symptoms. Subjects owning their own dwelling had less symptoms. A multiple regression model was developed, to identify residential buildings with a higher than expected occurrence of SBS. In total, 28.5% reported at least one sign of building dampness in their home (condensation on windows, humidity in the bathroom, mouldy odour, water leakage). All indicators of dampness were related to symptoms, even when adjusting for demographic data, and other building characteristics (OR=2.9-6.0). Associations between symptoms and other building data was evaluated in older houses, built before 1961. Subjects in older buildings with a mechanical ventilation system had fewer symptoms. Heating by electric radiators, and wood heating was associated with an increase of most types of symptoms (OR=1.2-5.0). Multiple sealing measures (OR=1.3), and major reconstruction (OR=1.1-1.9), was associated with an increase of symptoms. The effect of seasonal adapted ventilation (SAV) was studied in a small experimental study. A 20% reduction of ventilation flow from 0.5-0.8 ac/h to 0.4-0.5 ACH during the heating season increased the perception of poor indoor air quality in the dwelling in general, and in the bedroom. In conclusion, low building age, and building dampness in the dwelling are associated with SBS. In older houses, mechanical ventilation is beneficial. The thesis did not support the view that energy saving measures in general is an important risk factor for SBS, but major reconstruction and multiple sealing measures can be risk factor for symptoms. Reducing the outdoor ventilation flow below the current Swedish ventilation standard (0.5 ACH) may increase the perception of impaired air quality.

Enligt Världshälsoorganisationen, WHO, behöver människan använda minst 20 liter vatten per dag (Reed &amp; Reed, 2013). I Sverige är vattenanvändningen ca 160 liter per person och dygn i hushållet (Svenskt vatten, 2016) och ungefär 87 % av Sveriges befolkning är anslutna till det kommunala vatten- och avloppsledningsnätet (SCB, 2016a). Dricksvattnet i Sveriges används bl.a. till mat, tvätt och toalettspolning. Svenskt Vattens riktlinjer för den dimensionerande vattenanvändningen baseras på bl.a. publikationen P83:s dimensionering av svenska vatten- och spillvattensystem. Dimensioneringen ger specifik vattenanvändning samt maxdygn- och maxtimfaktorer för sambanden mellan medelvattenanvändningen per dygn och vattenanvändningen maximalt under ett dygn respektive en timme vid dimensioneringen. I denna studie har påverkan av utomhustemperatur, byggår och socioekonomiska aspekter på vattenanvändningen undersökts. Områden i Göteborg som har undersökts är Hisingen, Centrum samt Östra delen av Göteborg. Dessa grupper och områden har även bl.a. statistiskt undersökts med hjälp av korrelations- och signifikansanalys. På grund av personuppgiftslagen har främst personer över 15 år inkluderats i studien, men även vissa underåriga. Med hjälp av data från Göteborgs Energi AB har dimensioneringsparametrar för områden och grupper kunnat beräknas. Bl.a. visades att medelinkomst oftast var den variabel med signifikant korrelation med dimensioneringsparametrarna. Ett annat resultat var att låginkomsttagare var gruppen med störst specifik vattenanvändning och maxdygnsfaktor. Centrum och Östras vattenanvändning visade signifikant korrelation med utomhustemperaturen år 2013 och 2014. Maxdygnsfaktor och maxtimfaktor (dygn) och maxtimfaktor (år) förefaller vara lämpliga parametrar som kan användas i framtida dimensioneringsberäkningar. / According to the World Health Organization, a human being has to use at least 1-3 liters of water a day (Reed &amp; Reed, 2013). In Sweden, water use in households is about 160 liters per person and day in the household (Svenskt vatten, 2016) and around 87 % of the Swedish population are connected to the municipal water and sewage networks (SCB, 2016a). The drinking water in Sweden is used for many purposes, for example cooking, laundry and toilet flushing. Swedish guidelines for the dimensioning of the water networks is based on the publication P83 dimensions of Swedish water- and wastewater systems. The dimensioning guidelines give maximum day factor and maximum hour factor in relation to mean water usage per day and also one day and one day hour usage maximums. The effects of outdoor temperature, building year and socio-economic characteristics on water usage were investigated in this study. Areas of Gothenburg such as Hisingen, Centrum and Östra were studied. These areas and also specific groups in these areas have also been statistically studied through correlation, significance tests and confidence interval investigation. Due to the Swedish personal record law, children under the age of 16 were included in the study but with a modification. The water use for addresses were obtained from Göteborgs Energi AB. Data quality was ensured before statistical analysis thorough data review and analysis. The study’s result showed that the mean income was usually the only variable with significant correlation with the dimensioning parameters. The low-income group was shown to have the highest specific water usage and maximum day factor. Centrum and Östra’s had significant correlation between water use outdoor temperature during 2013 and 2014. Maximum day factor and maximum hour factor (day) and maximum hour factor (year) were suitable parameter to be used for future water usage calculations.