The Holistic Health Warrior

Sick Building Syndrome

What Is Sick Building Syndrome?

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term that was coined to describe a building (commercial or residential) which causes the occupants to experience acute symptoms of sickness (respiratory problems and rash for instance) that often go away when they are not inside of the building.

The indoor air quality in these buildings is often a temporary condition, but sometimes it can be long term.  

Sick Building Syndrome Indicators

* Acute Symptoms – Quick onset of a headache, eye, nose, or throat irritation; an allergic reaction; a dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty breathing; difficulty in thinking/concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.

*Chronic/Long Term Symptoms – Migraine headaches, digestive disorders, depression, anxiety, blurred vision, joint pain, fatigue. 

Sick Building Syndrome Causes

* Inadequate ventilation – Symptoms may occur if a building does not have the proper amount of fresh air circulating based on how many people are in it. In addition, symptoms can also occur when heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are not working up to par, or are contaminated.  

* Indoor chemical contaminants – Indoor air pollutants can come from things like paint, adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, and pesticides, just to name a few. Cleaning agents also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde. Combustion products such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, can come from improperly vented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.

* Outdoor chemical contaminants – Pollutants from motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents, and building exhausts (like bathrooms and kitchens) can enter the building through poorly located air intake vents, windows, and other openings.

* Biological contaminants – Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants. Biologic contaminants can also come in the form of insect or bird droppings, even pet hair or dander. Molds, in particular, can breed in heating and cooling vents; in stagnant water that has accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain pans;  and where water has saturated ceiling tiles, carpeting, sheetrock or insulation perhaps after a plumbing leak or flood. 

So what can be done about sick building syndrome? Here are some solutions to this problem.

Sick Building Solutions

* Remove the pollutant – This includes things like routine maintenance of HVAC systems, replacement of water-stained ceiling tiles and carpeting; smoking restrictions; proper venting contaminant source emissions to the outdoors; storage and use of paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy; and allowing time for building materials in new or remodeled areas to off-gas pollutants before occupancy.

* Improve the air quality – Increase the ventilation rate in the building so it circulates air better in the building.

* Air cleaning – Use filters to properly filter the air. Use the proper air filter for the space depending on what sort of air particles may be in the air.

* Mold Remediation Service – Mold may be the most insidious culprit of sick building syndrome. Why? Because sometimes you cannot even see it or smell it. It can be hidden behind walls, deep in carpets, under sinks, etc and still cause great health risks. A professional service is the best option for remediating the mold safely.

It’s important to do whatever you can to improve the air quality in a building, whether it’s where you work or live, especially if children are involved. If exposure to sick building syndrome contaminates is over a long period of time, serious and chronic health (mental and physical) conditions can develop. It’s important to evaluate your surroundings on a regular basis, especially when it comes to the likes of bacteria and mold. 

To your great health!