Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

From Swikipedia

Introduction

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of ailments (a syndrome) associated with an individual's place of work (office building) or residence. According to the 1984 World Health Organization report, which studied the sick building syndrome, suggested that up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS. Most of the sick building syndrome is related to poor indoor air quality. This may be attributed to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in the building.

Brief Description

The term "sick building syndrome" (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term "building related illness" (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants.

Indicators of SBS:

 Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.

 The cause of the symptoms is not known. It reduces work efficiency and increases absenteeism.

 Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.

Causes of SBS:

Some of the causes of sick building syndrome are as follows:

 Poor indoor air quality attributed to HVAC systems in the building

 Contaminants produced by out-gassing of some types of building materials, volatile organic compounds (VOC), or molds etc.

 Improper exhaust ventilation of ozone which may be a byproduct of some office machinery

 Light industrial chemicals used within which produce certain kinds of odour etc.

 Lack of adequate air filtration

 In hot and Humid climates, moisture is the primary culprit

Solutions to SBS:

 Pollutant source removal or modification