Indoor Moldy Odor Exposure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis Based on CLHLS Dataset in China
Zhang, Ye ; Chen, Zeyuan ; Xiao, Guoqi and Saha, Sanjib LU
(2026)
In Indoor Air
- Abstract
- Aim
Environmental factors such as air pollution have been linked to cognitive function decline. Indoor moldy odor, a common air quality issue, may exacerbate cognitive deterioration in older adults via behavioral and physiological mechanisms. This study systematically examined the association between indoor moldy odor exposure and cognitive function among older adults in China.
Methods
Data were obtained from three waves of the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2011/12–2018. Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive function. Random-effects panel Tobit model was used to estimate the association between indoor moldy odor and cognitive... (More) - Aim
Environmental factors such as air pollution have been linked to cognitive function decline. Indoor moldy odor, a common air quality issue, may exacerbate cognitive deterioration in older adults via behavioral and physiological mechanisms. This study systematically examined the association between indoor moldy odor exposure and cognitive function among older adults in China.
Methods
Data were obtained from three waves of the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2011/12–2018. Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive function. Random-effects panel Tobit model was used to estimate the association between indoor moldy odor and cognitive function. To address potential endogeneity, housing water leakage/damage was used as an instrumental variable, together with other robustness checks. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the heterogeneity of the association.
Results
Indoor moldy odor exposure was associated with poorer cognitive function (Coef. = −0.508). This association remains robust when the outcome variable is recoded and when the sample is restricted. Instrumental variable regression further confirmed the robustness after addressing potential endogeneity and implicated the role of housing water leakage. Subgroup analyses revealed a statistically negative association in females, individuals with lower education, and rural residents. But the subgroup difference did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions
Indoor moldy odor was associated with cognitive impairment among elderly populations, highlighting the importance of public health policies targeting indoor air quality. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/fb045004-5908-4b03-bbee-b00214092438
- author
- Zhang, Ye
; Chen, Zeyuan
; Xiao, Guoqi
and Saha, Sanjib
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2026-07-20
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- in
- Indoor Air
- publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Inc.
- ISSN
- 0905-6947
- DOI
- 10.1155/ina/3652817
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- fb045004-5908-4b03-bbee-b00214092438
- date added to LUP
- 2026-07-21 22:25:20
- date last changed
- 2026-07-24 11:12:53
@article{fb045004-5908-4b03-bbee-b00214092438,
abstract = {{Aim<br/>Environmental factors such as air pollution have been linked to cognitive function decline. Indoor moldy odor, a common air quality issue, may exacerbate cognitive deterioration in older adults via behavioral and physiological mechanisms. This study systematically examined the association between indoor moldy odor exposure and cognitive function among older adults in China.<br/><br/>Methods<br/>Data were obtained from three waves of the nationally representative survey of China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey between 2011/12–2018. Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used to measure cognitive function. Random-effects panel Tobit model was used to estimate the association between indoor moldy odor and cognitive function. To address potential endogeneity, housing water leakage/damage was used as an instrumental variable, together with other robustness checks. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the heterogeneity of the association.<br/><br/>Results<br/>Indoor moldy odor exposure was associated with poorer cognitive function (Coef. = −0.508). This association remains robust when the outcome variable is recoded and when the sample is restricted. Instrumental variable regression further confirmed the robustness after addressing potential endogeneity and implicated the role of housing water leakage. Subgroup analyses revealed a statistically negative association in females, individuals with lower education, and rural residents. But the subgroup difference did not reach statistical significance.<br/><br/>Conclusions<br/>Indoor moldy odor was associated with cognitive impairment among elderly populations, highlighting the importance of public health policies targeting indoor air quality.}},
author = {{Zhang, Ye and Chen, Zeyuan and Xiao, Guoqi and Saha, Sanjib}},
issn = {{0905-6947}},
language = {{eng}},
month = {{07}},
publisher = {{John Wiley & Sons Inc.}},
series = {{Indoor Air}},
title = {{Indoor Moldy Odor Exposure and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: A Longitudinal Analysis Based on CLHLS Dataset in China}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/ina/3652817}},
doi = {{10.1155/ina/3652817}},
year = {{2026}},
}