Sick Building Syndrome

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Sick Building Syndrome

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term applied to a building that makes its occupants sick because of indoor air pollutants. Indoor air quality (IAQ) problems fall into three categories: SBS, building-related illnesses, and multiple chemical sensitivity. Of the three, SBS accounts for 75% of all IAQ complaints.

Indoor air is a health hazard in 30% of all buildings, according to the World Health Organization. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists IAQ fourth among top environmental health threats. The problem of SBS is of increasing concern to employees and occupational health specialists, as well as landlords and corporations who fear the financial consequences of illnesses among tenants and employees. Respiratory diseases attributed to SBS account for about 150 million lost work days each year, $59 billion in indirect costs, and $15 billion in medical costs.

Sick building syndrome was first recognized in the 1970s around the time of the energy crisis and the move toward conservation . Because heating and air conditioning systems accounted for a major portion of energy consumption in the United States, buildings were sealed for energy efficiency . Occupants depend on mechanical systems rather than open windows for outside air and ventilation. A tight building, however, can seal in and create contaminants. Common complaints of SBS include headaches, fatigue, cough, sneezing, nausea, difficulty concentrating, bleary eyes, and nose and throat irritations. Symptoms are caused by a range of contaminants, including volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are chemicals that turn to gas at room temperature and are given off by paints, adhesives, caulking, vinyl, telephone cable, printed documents, furniture, and solvents. Most common VOCs are benzene and chloroform, both of which may be carcinogens. Formaldehyde in building materials also is a culprit.

Biological agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, algae, pollen, mold, and dust mites add to the problems. These are produced by water-damaged carpet and furnishing or standing water in ventilation systems, humidifiers, and flush toilets .

Carbon dioxide levels increase as the number of people in a room increases, and too much can cause occupants to suffer hyperventilation, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, and drowsiness, as does carbon monoxide and the other toxins from cigarette smoke .

Schoolchildren are considered more vulnerable to SBS because schools typically have more people per room breathing the same stale air. Their size, childhood allergies, and asthmas add to their vulnerability.

Sick buildings can be treated by updating and cleaning ventilation systems regularly and using air cleaners and filtration devices. Also, plants spaced every 100 ft² (9.3 m²) in offices, homes, and schools have been shown to filter out pollutants in recycled air.

A simple survey of the indoor environment can detect many SBS problems. Check each room for an air source; if windows cannot be opened, every room should have a supply vent and exhaust vent. Clean the vents. Check to see if air is circulating by placing a strip of tissue at each vent opening. The tissue should blow out at a supply vent and blow in at an exhaust vent. Move partitions, file cabinets, and boxes away from vents. Supply and exhaust vents should be more than a few feet apart. Dead spaces where air stagnates and pollutants build up should be renovated. Move printing and copying machines away from people and give those machines adequate exhaust. Check that the ventilation system operates fully in every season and whenever people are in the building.

The EPA enforces tough laws on outdoor air pollution , but not for indoor air except for some smoking bans. Yet almost every pollutant, according to the EPA, is at higher levels indoors than out. Help in detecting and correcting sick building syndrome is available from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health , the federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for safe and healthy work standards.

[Linda Rehkopf ]