Poor housing conditions and home
dampness with increased house dust mites
and gas stove usage are all associated with
respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function,
and lower socioeconomic status. Household
crowding has been hypothesised to cause
increased instances of respiratory infections
and thus increased rates of respiratory
disorders, although this was not confirmed
in the Tucson study. Home dampness and
respiratory symptoms are strongly associated,
whereas the relationship between home dampness
and pulmonary function is weaker in both
children and adults. Children living in
homes using gas for cooking are more likely to
have had respiratory illnesses than those from
homes using electricity in some but not all
studies.