Sick building syndrome (SBS) causes symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation in certain buildings. The exact cause isn’t known, but poor air quality, pollutants, high relative humidity, and artificial lighting may play a role.
People spend a lot of time indoors, so building quality can greatly affect health. SBS is a growing problem, with symptoms including tiredness and irritation of the eyes, throat, or skin.
This article covers what SBS is, its causes, symptoms, and ways to prevent it.
What is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?
Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to health issues linked to spending time in certain buildings, without a clear cause or specific disease. It is often considered an occupational health concern, as it frequently occurs in workplace settings where employees are exposed to poor air quality and inadequate ventilation.
It often happens in spaces with poor air quality or bad ventilation. People who spend long hours in such environments are more likely to experience symptoms. These symptoms usually improve after leaving the particular building, showing a connection to the environment. SBS mental health impacts are also significant, as prolonged discomfort can lead to stress or anxiety.
What is Building Related Illness (BRI)?
“Building-related illness” (BRI) occurs when airborne contaminants in a building cause health problems. Symptoms may include a runny nose, congestion, respiratory issues, irritated eyes, headaches, skin irritation, difficulty concentrating, and fever. Diagnosing BRI involves checking the building environment and linking exposure to symptoms. Treatment focuses on improving air quality and limiting exposure when necessary.
Indicators of SBS Include:
People in the building report feeling uncomfortable and experiencing certain health issues. Common complaints include:
- Headaches
- Blocked or runny nose
- Dry, itchy skin
- Dry or sore eyes and throat
- Coughing or wheezing
- Skin rashes
- Fatigue and trouble concentrating
Indicators of BRI Include:
- People in the building report symptoms like coughing, chest tightness, fever, chills, and muscle aches.
- These symptoms often have specific and identifiable causes.
- Recovery may take longer even after leaving the building.
Symptoms can also be caused by other risk factors, such as illnesses caught outside, allergies, work-related stress, or dissatisfaction. However, research shows that indoor air quality issues can trigger or worsen these symptoms.
Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
Many things inside a building can cause sick building syndrome, such as:
Inadequate Ventilation
Poor ventilation and limited air circulation can trap pollutants and allergens indoors. Inefficient HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems that fail to properly distribute air are a key factor in Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). To maintain good indoor air quality while conserving energy, proper ventilation is essential. Buildings without functional windows have four times the risk of SBS.
Chemical Contaminants from Indoor Sources
Indoor air pollution often comes from sources inside buildings. Adhesives, carpets, furniture, manufactured wood, printers, pesticides, and cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde. Tobacco smoke adds VOCs, toxic chemicals, and fine particles to the air. Studies show that high levels of VOCs can cause serious health issues, and some are linked to cancer. Even low or moderate levels may trigger short-term reactions. Combustion appliances like gas heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces, and gas stoves can release pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and fine particles.
Chemical Contaminants from Outdoor Sources
Outdoor air can bring pollution into a building. Pollutants from vehicle exhaust, plumbing vents, and building exhausts like those from bathrooms or kitchens can enter through poorly placed air intake vents, windows, or other openings. Smoke and fumes from a nearby garage can also seep inside.
Psychological Factors
Workplace stress, lack of social support, and poor organisation can increase tension and lower employee morale. Over time, these factors can contribute to serious health issues, including Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). Creating a supportive and well-structured work environment can help reduce these risks. Small changes, like improving communication and organising workloads better, can make a big difference in employee well-being.
Biological Contaminants
Mould, fungus, bacteria, and other microorganisms grow easily in damp or poorly ventilated areas. These environments create the perfect conditions for them to spread quickly. Over time, this can lead to unpleasant odours, damage to surfaces, and potential health risks. Keeping spaces dry and well-ventilated is key to preventing their growth.
A Word About Radon and Asbestos
SBS and BRI are linked to immediate health issues, while radon and asbestos cause diseases that appear years after exposure. As a result, they are not considered causes of sick buildings. However, both still pose serious health risks and should be included in any thorough assessment of a building’s indoor air quality.
Building Investigation Procedures
The purpose of a building investigation is to identify and resolve indoor air quality issues while preventing them from happening again or causing new problems. Investigators need to determine if the complaint is linked to indoor air quality, find the cause, and decide on the best solution.
Indoor Air Quality Investigation Procedure
Investigating indoor air quality involves gathering information, forming ideas, and testing those ideas. The process usually starts with inspecting the area to identify four key factors affecting air quality:
- The people in the space
- The HVAC system
- Potential pollutant pathways
- Possible sources of contamination
How to Ease Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome Yourself
Here are a few ways to ease sick building syndrome symptoms:
- Open windows to improve airflow, if possible.
- Keep the temperature around 19°C and avoid frequent changes.
- Reduce stress as much as you can.
- Take regular breaks from screens if you use a computer.
- Step outside for fresh air during lunch and other breaks.
Solutions to Sick Building Syndrome
Solutions to sick building syndrome often involve a mix of these approaches:
Pollutant Source Removal or Modification
Removing or modifying pollution sources is an effective way to address indoor air quality issues when the sources are known and manageable. Examples include regular HVAC system maintenance, such as cleaning or replacing filters and replacing water-damaged ceiling tiles or carpets. Other solutions involve enforcing smoking bans, venting emissions outdoors, storing and using paints, adhesives, and pesticides in ventilated spaces, and scheduling their use when the building is unoccupied. Allowing new or renovated building materials to release pollutants before occupancy can also help. These methods can often be used together for better results.
Increasing Ventilation Rates
Increasing ventilation and air distribution can be a cost-effective way to lower indoor pollutant levels. HVAC systems should meet at least the ventilation standards set in local building codes. However, many systems are not properly operated or maintained to achieve these standards. Indoor air quality can often improve when HVAC systems are run according to their design specifications. For buildings with significant pollutant sources, local exhaust ventilation can help by removing contaminated air directly from the source. This method is especially useful in areas like restrooms, copy rooms, and printing facilities where pollutants tend to build up.
Air Cleaning
Air cleaning can help alongside source control and ventilation, but has its limits. That’s why improving indoor air quality is essential to protect the health and safety of those living or working in a building affected by SBS. Basic furnace filters are cheap but do not catch small particles effectively. High-performance filters capture smaller particles but are costly to install and maintain. Mechanical filters cannot remove gases like carbon dioxide. Some gas pollutants can be addressed with adsorbent beds, but these are expensive and require frequent material replacement. Overall, air cleaners are helpful but have limited use.
Education and Communication
Education and communication are key to managing indoor air quality. When building occupants, management, and maintenance staff understand the causes and effects of IAQ issues, they can work together to prevent or resolve them effectively.
Let a Professional Take a Look. Contact Comfort Services Group!
Sick building syndrome can harm your team’s health and productivity. Comfort Services Group offers expert environmental commissioning and water treatment services to address indoor air quality problems and deal with sick building syndrome. With over 30 years of experience, our engineers help create healthier and more comfortable workspaces for businesses in London and the South East. If you have building-related symptoms, ask your supervisor or the building manager to contact us. We can help find ways to improve your workplace’s environmental health.
FAQs
How long does sick building syndrome last?
SBS symptoms often improve once people leave the affected area. However, some toxins can cause lingering effects that don’t go away immediately. In sensitive individuals, these effects can lead to long-term health problems.
Who is vulnerable to sick building syndrome?
Women and young people are more likely to experience sick building syndrome (SBS). Those with allergies or mental health conditions are also at higher risk. SBS can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat. The prevalence of sick building syndrome is higher in poorly ventilated spaces, especially among individuals with preexisting allergies or sensitivities.
What is toxic house syndrome?
Toxic house syndrome is similar to SBS. It happens when the air quality inside a home is so poor that it causes health problems. It is similar to sick building syndrome and can lead to sickness or discomfort for those living in the house.
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