The Bedroom Condition That Predicted Ten Years of Broken Sleep

This is one of the largest longitudinal investigations of indoor dampness and sleep, following 11,318 adults across Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia for roughly ten years. Visible mould at home at baseline predicted the later onset of difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep and insomnia symptoms. Mould odour was specifically linked to trouble getting to sleep, and floor dampness showed some of the strongest associations of any indicator. People exposed at both home and work fared worst of all. Adjustments were made for smoking, weight, education, allergic rhinitis and existing asthma. The proposed mechanism is unglamorous and plausible: microbial compounds irritate the nasal passages, and a blocked nose is a well-established disruptor of sleep. If you sleep noticeably better away from home, that pattern is worth taking seriously rather than explaining away.