[EMERGING]Emerging
Measured dwelling microbial VOCs compared against sick building syndrome reports in three cities
A multi-country residential study reported associations between measured microbial volatile compounds in homes and occupant reports of mucosal and general symptoms.
How to read this
This library reports what studies found. An entry describes a study's design, its findings in its own terms, and its limits. Nothing here is a claim about what a Sage Co. home does, delivers, or prevents.
Last reviewed August 30, 2026.
What they studied
- Air sampling in 159 dwellings across three northern European cities.
- Measurement of airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds, plasticizers, and formaldehyde.
- Occupant questionnaires on sick building syndrome symptoms.
What they found
- 1-octen-3-ol and 3-methylfuran were reported as the compounds most consistently associated with symptom reports.
- Associations were reported for mucosal symptoms in particular.
- Measured mold and bacteria counts were reported to associate less consistently than the volatile markers.
What this study does not establish
- Cross-sectional survey; no temporal sequence between exposure and symptoms.
- Symptoms were self-reported.
- Findings are from northern European housing stock and climate.
- This entry reports the study. It is not a statement about any building Sage Co. designs or constructs.
Source
Sahlberg B, Gunnbjörnsdottir M, Soon A, Jogi R, Gislason T, Wieslander G, Janson C, Norbäck D (2013). Airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS). Science of the Total Environment 444:433–440.
mVOCsresidentialsick building syndrome
Elsewhere under Indoor Air Quality
- Cognitive test scores measured against CO2, ventilation, and VOC levels in an office setting
- Toxicological review of microbial volatile organic compounds in moisture-damaged buildings
- Acute responses measured in a controlled human exposure to 1-octen-3-ol
- Dopamine handling and neurodegeneration measured in model systems exposed to 1-octen-3-ol
- Classroom microbial VOC measurements compared against reported respiratory symptoms in pupils
- Review asking whether some fungal volatile compounds meet the definition of mycotoxins
- Airborne gram-negative bacteria and endotoxin measured across office buildings with differing symptom rates
- Proinflammatory mediators measured in cell lines exposed to indoor bacteria and fungal spores
- Dust fungi and endotoxin measured against respiratory symptoms in a water-damaged office building
- Chemical marker analysis used to detect microbial colonization in water-damaged building materials
- Endotoxin, ergosterol, muramic acid, and fungal DNA measured in school dust against rhinitis reports
- Airborne macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins measured in water-damaged indoor environments
- Satratoxin G and H measured in indoor air of a water-damaged dwelling
- Mycotoxin survey of building material samples from water-damaged buildings
- Systematic review of airborne mycotoxin exposure across environments and tasks