Sick building syndrome

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Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of ailments (a syndrome) associated with an individual's place of work (typically, but not always, an office building), though there have also been instances of SBS in residential buildings. A 1984 World Health Organisation report into the syndrome suggested up to 30% of new and remodelled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS.

Symptoms of SBS

Building occupants complain of symptoms such as:

• Headache
• Eye, nose, or throat irritation
• Dry cough; dry or itchy skin
• Dizziness and nausea
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Fatigue
• Sensitivity to odours

For SBS to exist, these symptoms must disappear soon after the occupants go outside. A public built [Green / Sick Building] Google Map is now live for individuals to mark potentially harmful buildings.

Causes

The contributing factors often relate to the design of the built environment, and may include combinations of some or all of the following:

• Indoor air pollution (e.g. cigarette smoke)
• Artificial fragrance, such as dryer sheets
• Poor or inappropriate lighting (including absence of or only limited access to natural sunlight)
• Poor heating or ventilation
• Bad acoustics
• Poorly designed furnishings, furniture and equipment (e.g. computer monitors, photocopiers, etc.).
• Poor ergonomics.
• Chemical contamination.
• Biological contamination.

To the owner or operator of a "sick building", the symptoms may include high levels of employee sickness or absenteeism, lower productivity, low job satisfaction and high employee turnover.

Solutions

Pollutant source removal or modification: maintenance of HVAC systems, replacement of water-stained ceiling tiles and carpeting, institution of smoking restrictions, venting containment source emissions to the outdoor storage and use of paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy.

External links

• [Sick Building Syndrome Solutions in Australia, ecolibria - Building Biology]
• [IAQ Publications - Sick Building Syndrome Fact Sheet]
• [Sick Building Syndrome - Families.com]
• [HVAC industry site]
• [Boston Phoenix article on SBS complaints at Boston City Hall]
• [Telegraph article about a study linking SBS to job stress]

See also

• Ventilation
• Aspergillus
• New car smell

 

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