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| Source- www.picpedia.org |
Introduction
“Sick Building Syndrome” is the name given to a collection of diseases and symptoms that affect several residents in certain buildings. Symptoms are runny nose; stuffy nose; itchy eyes; Sinus infection; Sore throat; dry, itchy skin; Stomach pain; headache; Difficulty concentrating; and fatigue or lethargy.
Could Your Home Make You Sick? If you experience the above symptoms and they go away within an hour or two of leaving a building, it may be sick building syndrome. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors. Indoor air quality is an important health factor.
More serious health problems attributed to SBS are allergies, asthma, and chronic fatigue. To protect yourself from a wide variety of pollutants, learn about areas of your home that can affect your health and how to eliminate risk factors.
History of Sick Building Syndrome
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| Source- Wikimedia Commons |
The term sick building syndrome has been around since the 1970s. There are a number of theories as to why it started back then. These include the energy crisis of the early 1970s that resulted in buildings being sealed to prevent energy loss, reduced air renewal in buildings to save money, increased use of chemicals in carpets and paints, poor lighting, increased computer usage, and even increased stress in workplace buildings.
One of the best-known examples of structural illness was in 1976 when 182 people serving in the American Legion developed pneumonia and many died. Ultimately, it turned out that the building’s cooling towers were infected with a previously unknown bacterium, Legionella pneumophila.
How to Identify Sick Building Syndrome
There is no specific medical test that can diagnose sick building syndrome. The key factors in diagnosing sick building syndrome are rapid recovery and resolution of symptoms after an affected person has left the building.
Look for the following general characteristics to determine if your building is causing or contributing to the problems:
• Symptoms occur when there are occupants in the building or in a specific area of the building.
• Symptoms go away or go away when people are away from the building or the surrounding area.
• Symptoms coincide seasonally with the use of heating or air conditioning.
• Several colleagues have similar complaints
If the majority of people find that their symptoms go away when they leave the building, then you have a “sick building”. What now?
Also, read- Types of Working Drawings Important in a Project
Understanding the Factors Causing Sick Building Syndrome
Low Ventilation Rates
Since the dawn of air conditioning and heating systems, building ventilation standards have required outside air of approximately 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) for each occupant of the building. Thanks to the oil crisis of the 1970s, however, national energy-saving measures required a reduction in the amount of outside air supplied for ventilation to 5 cfm per occupant in order to save energy.
Although lower ventilation rates have saved energy, in many cases these reduced outdoor ventilation rates have been shown to be insufficient to maintain the health and comfort of building residents, and people have become sick in droves of buildings. In the meantime, the trend has been to include sealed windows and not allow occupants to control the ventilation of their rooms.
The quality of the outside air is higher than the average quality of the inside air. Limited vents for hazardous VOCs and other indoor pollutants. While well-insulated homes these days can also contain dangerous toxins. If you can, open the windows to ventilate your home.
Chemical contaminants inside the building
The causes of indoor air pollution are likely right under your nose. Formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) can lurk in carpets, upholstery, manufactured wood products, and even cleaning products. If you’re planning a remodel, double-check labels and materials to make sure you’re not bringing unnecessary toxins into your home.
Outdoor Sources
Outside air entering a building can be a source of indoor air pollution. Pollutants can enter through ventilation slots, building fumes, improperly positioned ventilation slots, windows, and other openings. In addition, combustion products from a nearby garage can enter a building: not good for our health.
Bacteria and molds
Bacteria, mold, and mildew can all contribute to the sick-building syndrome. These items are usually found in areas with high humidity, such as basements and bathrooms, or in places where stagnant water has accumulated in drains, canals, or even leaky ceilings.
Physical symptoms associated with biological contamination include coughing, chest tightness, fever, chills, muscle pain, and allergic reactions such as irritation of the mucous membranes and upper airway obstruction. Legionella, an indoor bacterium, caused both Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever.
Electromagnetic radiation
Devices such as microwaves, televisions, and computers emit electromagnetic radiation that ionizes the air. Extensive wiring without proper grounding also creates high magnetic fields that have been linked to cancer.
Psychological factors
Excessive stress or dissatisfaction at work, poor interpersonal relationships, and poor communication are often linked to SBS.
Prevention and Control of Sick Building Syndrome
Here are a few tips,
- Increase the ventilation rates and air distribution.
- Clean up wet or damp areas.
- Perform regular HVAC maintenance.
- Install air cleaners or filters.
- Open windows to improve natural air circulation.
- Choose interior materials carefully.
Conclusion
Indoor air quality can have a profound impact on the health and productivity of your employees or residents. To protect your health, it is a good idea to do whatever you can to reduce or prevent the sick-building syndrome. HVLS fans, mold removal, and careful material selection during renovations can all help eliminate or prevent problems with sick building syndrome.
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References-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796751/
https://ohsonline.com/Articles/2016/10/01/Sick-Building-Syndrome.aspx?Page=5
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/what-causes-sick-buildings-3157825