Sick building syndrome
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. Sick building causes are frequently pinned down to flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and are often 'cured' by boosting the overall turn-over rate in fresh air exchange with the outside air. Other causes have been attributed to contaminants produced by out-gassing of some types of building materials, or improper exhaust ventilation of light industrial chemicals used within.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] 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
- Artificial fragrance, such as dryer sheets
- Poor or inappropriate lighting (including absence of or only limited access to natural sunlight)
- Poor heating or ventilation
- Microbial or mite contamination of HVAC systems.
- 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.
[edit] Prevention
- Pollutant source removal or modification to storage of sources.
- Replacement of water-stained ceiling tiles and carpeting.
- Institution of smoking restrictions.
- Use paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy.
- Increase the number of air exchanges, The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineers recommend a minimum of 8.4 air exchanges per 24 hour period.
- Proper and Frequent Maintenance of [1]HVAC systems
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Sick Building Syndrome Solutions in Australia, ecolibria - Building Biology
- IAQ Publications - Sick Building Syndrome Fact Sheet
- Boston Phoenix article on SBS complaints at Boston City Hall
- Telegraph article about a study linking SBS to job stress
- Inquiry into Sick Building Syndrome by NSW Parliament, Australia
