A longitudinal study of sick building syndrome among pupils in relation to microbial components in dust in schools in China

► SBS symptoms increased during the two-year follow-up period in school children in Taiyuan, China ► We studied the associations between selected microbial components and incidence and remission of SBS symptoms. ► Bacterial compounds (LPS and MuA) seem to protect against the development of mucosal and general symptoms. ► Fungal exposure measured as fungal DNA could increase the incidence of school-related symptoms.