Determinants of mouldy area size in dwellings from the French CONSTANCES population-based cohort

Mould development is a determinant of poor indoor air quality. Data on mould contamination from nationwide population-based studies are scarce. We investigated determinants in the participants French CONSTANCES cohort who answered dedicated follow-up questionnaire 2019. Participants reported mouldy odour, presence visible and size area (spots, <0.2 m2, [0.2 m2–1 m2], ]1 m2–3 m2] or >3 m2) bathroom, kitchen, living room bedroom. Dwelling was defined by maximum one four rooms. Logistic models were used to study cross-sectional associations between dwelling characteristics adjusted for type (house/flat), urbanicity deprivation index. Stratification type, urban/rural areas least/most deprived neighbourhood performed. Analyses included 110,470 adults (mean age: 52 years, 54% women, 66% houses). Mouldy m2 2%, 22% 0.3% dwellings. Visible more frequently “Île-de-France” region flats than houses. Heating difficulties, water damage, occupant-surface ratio significantly associated with (adjusted(a)OR 1.58 7.30), whereas ventilation system opening windows winter inversely (aOR 0.31 0.78). Results did not change using sum as an alternative definition. Associations slightly evidenced houses most neighbourhood. Almost five their dwelling. should be considered evaluation improve management France.