Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome, or SBS, is a term used to characterize a collective grouping of severe health and comfort symptoms that result from poor indoor air quality. More accurately, the syndrome is hypothesized to stem from time spent in a specific building, but the exact cause or illness cannot be pinpointed. In cases where a more focused illness can be diagnosed and the cause is directly linked to a specific airborne building contaminant, the disorder is called "building-related illness," or BRI.

Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome

If numerous occupants in a building share symptoms such as headaches, itchy eyes, nose or throat, excessive dry cough, nausea, fatigue or trouble concentrating, then the cause may be sick building syndrome. If these symptoms subside once the individual leaves the building, then it is a strong indicator that he or she is suffering from SBS. However, if a specific chemical or biological contaminant is found to be the cause of discomfort, then the diagnosis may be augmented to building-related illness.

Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

There are several factors that experts have identified as potential causes for sick building syndrome. Depending on the specific case, these causes can act in concert or independently. It is estimated that 30 percent of all new or remodeled buildings exhibit an indoor environment that is favorable for the manifestation of sick building syndrome. Factors associated with SBS include:

Indoor chemical contaminants: a number of indoor products emit volatile organic compounds that can cause SBS when inhaled. These include adhesives, copy machines, carpeting, upholstery, cleaning supplies, pesticides, formaldehyde, cigarette smoke and stoves.
Outdoor chemical contaminants: indoor ventilation systems can often pump in outdoor pollution. If air intake vents and windows are located near plumbing vents, sources of motor vehicle exhaust or combustion byproducts, then SBS may result.
Biological contaminants: several indoor biological contaminants have been associated with SBS. The most common is mold, but pollen, bacteria and viruses are also possible contributors. These contaminants often accumulate in damp areas or where stagnant water is situated.
Poor ventilation: buildings that fail to properly circulate outdoor air into the indoor environment have been linked to SBS. Ostensibly, this is largely due to the stagnation and buildup of indoor chemical contaminants.

How to Fix Sick Building Syndrome

There are a number of potential solutions to sick building syndrome. For the best results, a combination of several solutions may be necessary. Common ways to eliminate sick building syndrome include:

Upgrading ventilation rates so that HVAC systems meet suggested ventilation standards. Ideally, building owners should abide by standards laid forth by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Installing and maintaining high-performance indoor air filters
If indoor or biological contaminants are to blame, then taking steps to eliminate or minimize their prevalence is the preferred solution to SBS. Potential methods to achieve this include removing water-soaked carpet, drywall or ceiling tiles, improving ventilation in areas of high contaminant concentration (storage closets, bathrooms, etc.), implementing indoor smoking bans and using cleaning and remodeling supplies during periods of low occupancy.
Educating building occupants about the hazards, causes and solutions of sick building syndrome so that they may take individual steps to reduce symptoms.

Sources of information on this page: National Safety Council, Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Facts No. 4

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