Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome (SBS) describes a situation whereby people experience symptoms of ill health that seem to be linked to spending time in a building, but where no specific cause can be identified.

The term Building-Related Illness (BRI) refers to recognised diseases, often infections, e.g. Legionnaires' disease, caused by being in a building. The cause of sick building syndrome is thought to be at least in part due to changes in building and ventilation design triggered by the energy crisis in the 1970's.

One large recent study found no significant relation was found between most aspects of the physical work environment and symptom prevalence.¹

• Greater effects were found with features of the psychosocial work environment including high job demands and low support.
• The report concluded that the physical environment of office buildings appears to be less important than features of the psychosocial work environment in explaining differences in the prevalence of symptoms.

However sick building syndrome usually occurs in those employed in buildings containing many people are working close together, especially in new buildings with sealed windows.

• Internal chemical contaminants: usually air pollutants.
  • Initial emissions from components and fittings of a building - the "new smell" generally dissipates over a short period, but can last years.
  • Volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde, cleaning products, manufactured plastic and wood products.
  • Ozone from photocopiers.
  • Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide² and other inorganic oxides given off as combustion products in heating systems.
  • Small fibres from furnishings, regularly agitated into the air by frequent sweeping. Also asbestos in older buildings.
  • Tobacco smoke.
• External contaminants: outside air entering a building.
  • Vehicle exhaust fumes: from streets/underground car parks.
  • Recycling of the building own exhaust back in through poorly positioned vents/windows.
  • Other external air pollution or air-borne particles e.g. pollen, moulds.³
  • The prime suspect in most cases is inadequate ventilation. The factors leading to poor ventilation include insufficient outside air, poor filtration of internal and external air, contaminated duct-work, dirty heating, ventilating and air conditioning units, poor planning and placement of vents.

• Headaches and dizziness
• Tiredness
• Eye problems
• Skin problems
• Nausea
• Coughing, wheezing
• Nasal or throat irritation⁴

• Education and recognition of the problem.
• Addressing relevant psychosocial issues, e.g. high job demands and low support.
• Remove pollution source if possible.
• Improved planning of building ventilation.
• Maintenance of indoor air quality by regular servicing and quality measurements.
• Discouragement of smoking.
• Increase the number of live plants in buildings.