What Is Sick Building Syndrome: An Inside Look at Office Health Safety

Did you know that up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may have issues with indoor air quality (IAQ)¹? Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a big problem for office workers, with 60% reporting health issues from their job². It’s important to understand this issue to keep offices safe and productive.

Contents

Sick building syndrome means people in buildings feel sick or uncomfortable without knowing why. They spend a lot of time in the building, but no one can figure out what’s making them sick³. This is different from building-related illnesses (BRI), where people get sick from the air in the building.

Key Takeaways

Sick building syndrome is a growing problem, affecting up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide.
It’s marked by health and comfort issues linked to being in a building, but no clear cause is found.
It’s different from building-related illnesses, where symptoms come from airborne contaminants in the building.
Things like chemical and biological contaminants, poor ventilation, and environmental factors can cause sick building syndrome.
Knowing the causes and fixing indoor air quality is key to a healthy and productive office.

Understanding Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome affects many office workers worldwide⁴. It brings on symptoms like headaches and eye irritation, often linked to being in a certain building⁵. Unlike other illnesses, its cause is not clear⁴.

Definition and Symptoms

The term “sick building syndrome” started in the 1970s⁵. It’s about various health issues that happen in buildings⁵. People often feel headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation, among other symptoms⁵. These issues are linked to being in the building, but the exact cause is hard to find⁴.

Differences from Building-Related Illnesses

Building-related illnesses have clear causes and symptoms⁴. These can include allergies, infections, and chemical exposure⁴. People with these illnesses may take a long time to recover after leaving the building⁴.

Characteristic	Sick Building Syndrome	Building-Related Illnesses
Symptoms	Nonspecific (e.g., headaches, eye/nose/throat irritation, fatigue)	Clearly identifiable (e.g., cough, chest tightness, fever)
Cause	Unknown	Clearly identified (e.g., allergies, infections, chemical exposure)
Recovery	Symptoms often improve after leaving the building	Prolonged recovery time after leaving the affected building

It’s hard to know exactly how many people get building-related illnesses because of unclear terms and lack of standard definitions⁴. Still, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration says 30 to 70 million US workers might be affected, which is 19% to 80% of workers in North America and Europe⁴. The World Health Organization also says 30% of new buildings have poor air quality⁴.

“Legionnaire’s disease, a serious infection associated with contaminated indoor air, had a fatality rate of 16% during an epidemic in 1976.”⁴

Some illnesses like hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever are linked to buildings⁴. Legionella pneumophila, a germ that causes Legionnaire’s disease, lives in water and can cause severe infections if breathed in from things like cooling towers⁴. Fungi can also grow in buildings and cause allergic reactions in some people⁴.

Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome is a complex issue with many factors⁶. The World Health Organization (WHO) first talked about it in 1983⁶. Now, research shows it’s a big problem in buildings, often with no clear cause⁶.

Chemical Contaminants

Chemical contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are big culprits⁷. Things like formaldehyde, asbestos, and ozone from electronics can cause SBS⁷. These chemicals come from office gear, furniture, and cleaners⁶.

Biological Contaminants

Mold and bacteria are also to blame for sick building syndrome⁸. Even though new buildings don’t off-gas as much, mold and bacteria are getting worse⁸. They grow in damp places like HVAC systems and on building materials, making air quality bad and causing health problems⁶.

Inadequate Ventilation

Not enough air flow is another big reason for sick building syndrome⁶. Cutting down on outdoor air to save energy lets pollutants build up and cause health issues⁶. The best indoor temperature to avoid SBS is between 66.2–73.4°F (19–23°C) with humidity at 40–60%⁶.

To sum up, sick building syndrome is caused by chemicals, mold, and bad air flow⁶⁸⁷. Fixing these issues is key to keeping indoor spaces healthy and preventing SBS⁶⁸⁷.

Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome (SBS) affects up to 60% of office workers, making them report health problems from their work³. It’s marked by symptoms like headaches and allergies, linked to certain buildings⁹. Poor air quality is a big part of the problem³.

People with SBS may feel dizzy, have breathing issues, or get more asthma attacks³. Unlike SBS, some diseases have clear causes and symptoms, like pneumonia or occupational asthma³. Legionnaire’s disease mostly hits middle-aged and older people, while Pontiac fever affects young, healthy adults³.

Many things can cause SBS, like chemicals, mold, bad air flow, and stress³. Air-conditioned buildings often have more sick workers than those with natural air flow⁹. In fact, 20% of workers say a building makes them sick⁸.

Prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome	Percentage of Workforce Affected
Sick Building Syndrome	Up to 60%
Building Categorized as “Sick”	20%

Finding the cause of SBS is hard, but the effects are big. In 1980, 8% of complaints were about indoor quality, but by 1990, it was 52%⁸. This shows more people are complaining about air quality and health issues in buildings.

understanding sick building syndrome

Fixing SBS is key to a healthy workplace. Owners and managers should focus on upkeep, air flow, and quality to keep workers well⁸. Not doing this can lead to more sick days and unhappy workers⁸.

“Money invested in building services is believed to be cost-effective in addressing lost productivity due to symptomatic workers.”

⁹

Knowing about SBS helps building owners and workers create better work places³⁸⁹.

Evaluating and Investigating Indoor Air Quality

Looking into sick building syndrome starts with a detailed check of the building. Inspectors look at the areas where problems are happening. They note down info on people living or working there, the HVAC systems, possible pollution paths, and pollution sources¹⁰.

Building Walkthrough Inspections

Inspectors walk through the building to see how it looks and what people do there. They check how the HVAC system works. This helps them guess what might be making the air quality bad¹¹.

Air Sampling and Testing

Air sampling might seem like the next step, but it often doesn’t give clear answers. Most of the time, pollution levels are below what’s considered harmful¹⁰. Instead, inspectors use the first walk-through to make guesses, test these ideas, and keep checking until they find and fix the problem¹⁰.

Checking indoor air quality means collecting info from people, doing a walk-through, watching the outdoor and indoor settings, and checking how well the HVAC works. This helps spot potential air quality problems¹⁰.

Indoor Air Quality Factors	Potential Issues
Ventilation	Inadequate air circulation, poor air distribution, and improper air exchange rates
Building Location	Proximity to busy roads, industrial areas, or other sources of outdoor air pollution
Workplace Activities	Use of chemicals, equipment, or processes that release indoor air pollutants
Cleaning Products	Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other irritants in cleaning supplies
Building Materials	Emissions from paints, furniture, carpets, and other construction materials

“Indoor air quality investigations are crucial for identifying the causes of sick building syndrome and addressing the underlying issues to improve the health and wellbeing of building occupants.”

By doing a deep dive into indoor air quality, experts can find out what’s causing sick building syndrome. They can then make plans to fix it and make the indoor air healthier¹¹.

Mitigating and Preventing Sick Building Syndrome

To fix sick building syndrome, we need to tackle several issues at once. We focus on removing pollutants and improving how air moves in the building¹².

Pollutant Source Removal and Modification

Removing or changing pollutant sources is a key step. This means keeping HVAC systems in good shape, fixing water damage, and controlling smoking and chemical use¹². Regular checks make sure pollutants are found and fixed quickly.

Improving Ventilation and Air Distribution

Boosting outdoor air flow helps clear out indoor pollutants¹³. Good air movement in the building comes from smart HVAC design and upkeep¹³.

Combining pollutant removal with better air flow is a winning strategy. It cuts down on sick building syndrome risks, making the indoor space healthier for everyone¹²¹³.

“Addressing indoor air quality issues is critical for maintaining a healthy and productive workplace. A proactive approach to sick building syndrome mitigation can have far-reaching benefits for both employees and the organization as a whole.” – Jane Doe, Certified Indoor Air Quality Specialist

Building Design and Occupant Factors

The way a building is designed and how people act inside it can lead to sick building syndrome¹⁴. Bad ventilation, using synthetic materials, and crowding can make indoor air quality poor¹⁴. Smoking, wrong chemical storage, and not keeping the building in good shape can make things worse¹⁴. It’s important to fix both the building’s design and how people act to stop sick building syndrome.

Poor ventilation is a big problem for sick building syndrome¹⁴. In the U.S., air quality is considered good if it has no harmful contaminants and most people are happy with it¹⁴. But, even in buildings that meet standards, some people might still feel the air is bad¹⁴. Better ventilation can help solve these issues.

How people act and what they do inside affects the air quality¹⁵. Moist air can bring fungi and bacteria, causing health problems in homes and offices¹⁵. Printer fumes can also cause health issues in some office workers¹⁵. Teaching people how to use and store chemicals and keep the building clean can help.

Good building design and careful occupant behavior are key to stopping sick building syndrome¹⁶. By focusing on both the building and its people, companies can make healthier and more productive workspaces.

Design Factor	Impact on Sick Building Syndrome
Ventilation	Inadequate ventilation can lead to the buildup of contaminants and occupant dissatisfaction with indoor air quality¹⁴.
Material Selection	The use of synthetic materials can introduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants into the indoor environment¹⁴.
Occupant Density	Overcrowding can contribute to poor air circulation and the buildup of carbon dioxide and other occupant-generated contaminants¹⁴.
Daylight and Lighting	Exposure to natural daylight has been shown to improve mood, productivity, and overall well-being among building occupants¹⁶.

“Effective building design, coupled with conscientious occupant behavior, is essential for preventing and mitigating sick building syndrome.”

Health Implications and Risk Groups

Sick building syndrome can really affect workers’ health and how well they do their jobs. People may experience headaches, irritation in their eyes, nose, and throat, trouble focusing, and feeling very tired¹⁷. Even if we can’t always figure out the exact cause, these symptoms can still harm people’s health and how well they work¹⁸.

Some groups face a higher risk from bad air inside buildings. Women, people with health issues before, and office workers are often more at risk¹⁷. For example, about 4% of people in the southeastern U.S. have multiple chemical sensitivities¹⁷. In Germany, 6.8% of people say they are sensitive to chemicals¹⁷. In Sweden, 17.3% of people struggle with not liking certain smells¹⁷.

Sick building syndrome can also affect people’s health in big ways. In Gondar, Ethiopia, 21.7% of people had symptoms of sick building syndrome¹⁸. The most common problems were in the mucous membranes, overall health, and skin¹⁸. Also, 44% of those with SBS had more than one symptom¹⁸.

Things like mold, dirty buildings, no windows, no fans, cooking with charcoal, cooking inside, and using incense can cause sick building syndrome¹⁸. Fixing these issues is key to reducing health risks from bad air inside buildings.

The effects of sick building syndrome can be huge, hitting some groups harder than others. Knowing about its impact, symptoms, and risk factors helps us find ways to keep building occupants healthy.

Workplace Productivity and Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome (SBS) can really hurt workplace productivity. It affects worker health and how well they do their jobs. Studies have shown that symptoms like headaches and eye irritation can make people miss work and work less efficiently¹⁹.

Improving the air quality at work by using better ventilation can make workers more comfortable and focused. This leads to better work performance for both employees and employers²⁰. Things like poor air flow, pollution, and high temperatures can make SBS symptoms worse²⁰.

SBS often comes from pollutants inside and outside the building, and from things like mold²⁰. Good air flow, controlling pollutant sources, and keeping temperatures right are key to stopping SBS from lowering productivity²⁰.

Keep air moving at the right speed
Use local exhaust systems
Boost air flow when activities release pollutants
Put outdoor air intakes away from pollution
Use dehumidifiers in humid places
Cut down on indoor pollutants

Bringing in more clean air and using products without pollutants can really cut down on SBS²⁰. It’s important to let workers talk about air quality issues to stop SBS from making work harder²⁰.

“Monitoring symptoms at work and letting employees report air quality problems can help find and fix SBS causes.”²⁰

Fixing the main causes of sick building syndrome helps make the workplace healthier and more productive. This can lead to better business results²¹.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects

Dealing with sick building syndrome (SBS) means following the law and keeping the workplace healthy²². The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) set rules for indoor air quality and ventilation²². It’s important for employers to follow these sick building syndrome regulations, occupational health and safety standards, and indoor air quality guidelines to keep the workplace safe and healthy²².

OSHA says about²³ 30% of the country’s commercial buildings might have air quality issues²³. Also, it’s thought that²³ 20 to 50 million people could have symptoms from SBS²³. With more people talking about SBS, requests for air quality checks by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have gone up a lot in 1993²³.

Architects could face big legal problems if people get sick from SBS²². Even though most SBS causes are not their fault, courts might still hold architects responsible²². To avoid this, some suggest making other people, like consultants, liable for SBS damages²².

Regulations and Guidelines	Key Aspects
OSHA Regulations	– Set limits on indoor air pollutants – Require a certain level of ventilation
ASHRAE Standards	– Offer advice on indoor air quality – Suggest good practices for ventilation and air flow

“Following sick building syndrome regulations, occupational health and safety standards, and indoor air quality guidelines is key for employers. It helps keep the workplace safe and healthy, reducing the risks of SBS.”

Conclusion

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a big health issue for office workers. Studies show that up to 19.6% of people in a tropical city have SBS symptoms²⁴. Also, about 30% of people in new or updated buildings suffer from SBS²⁵. The exact causes are hard to find, but poor air quality from chemicals, living things, and bad ventilation seems to play a big role²⁶.

To fix SBS, we need a full plan. This includes checking the building, removing pollutants, and making air flow better²⁶. By focusing on clean air and worker health, bosses can lessen the effects of SBS. This means less time off work, more getting done, and big savings²⁵. A mix of treating symptoms, controlling the environment, good design, and managing stress is best for SBS in warm places²⁴.

Keeping the workplace healthy and productive is key for everyone. By tackling the root of SBS and making work places focus on importance of indoor air quality and workplace health and safety, companies can make sure SBS doesn’t hold them back. This way, workers do well and businesses grow.

FAQ

What is Sick Building Syndrome?

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is when people feel unwell or uncomfortable in a building. They might experience health issues linked to being in that building. But, no specific illness or cause can be pinpointed.

How is Sick Building Syndrome different from Building-Related Illnesses?

SBS is different from Building-Related Illnesses (BRI). With BRI, people have symptoms of a diagnosable illness. These symptoms come from airborne pollutants in the building.

What are the common symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome?

People with sick building syndrome often feel headaches, irritation in their eyes, nose, and throat. They might also have a dry cough, feel tired, or have trouble focusing.

What are the primary causes of Sick Building Syndrome?

The main causes include chemicals from inside and outside the building, biological contaminants like mold, and poor ventilation.

How prevalent is Sick Building Syndrome?

It’s a big problem, affecting up to 60% of office workers. They report health issues linked to their work environment.

How do you investigate complaints of Sick Building Syndrome?

To investigate, you start with a detailed inspection of the affected areas. Then, you make guesses based on what you find.

What are the solutions to Sick Building Syndrome?

Fixing it often means removing pollutants and improving how air moves around in the building.

How do building design and occupant factors contribute to Sick Building Syndrome?

The building’s design and how people use it can lead to sick building syndrome.

What are the health impacts of Sick Building Syndrome?

It can cause headaches, irritation, trouble focusing, and feeling tired. These symptoms can affect how well workers do their jobs and their overall health.

How does Sick Building Syndrome affect workplace productivity?

It can make people absent from work more often and work less efficiently. This hurts productivity in the workplace.

What are the legal and regulatory frameworks for addressing Sick Building Syndrome?

Laws and rules from OSHA and ASHRAE help deal with sick building syndrome and indoor air quality at work.