At certain times, we may experience a higher prevalence of illnesses compared to other times. If an individual falls ill at home or in the office, there is a possibility of spreading the infection to others, resulting in a chain reaction that affects everyone. However, it's not always an individual who is responsible for the widespread illness within a building; sometimes it can be attributed to what is known as "sick building syndrome". This term encompasses various situations where occupants of a building suffer from adverse health effects during their time spent there without being able to identify a specific disease or factor as the cause.
According to the World Health Organization's report, approximately 30% of all newly constructed and renovated buildings worldwide experience complaints related to this syndrome. The primary contributing factor is often poor air quality; however, this isn't the sole cause. Frequently, individuals experience symptoms resembling those of cold or flu-like illnesses while staying in these problematic buildings. Remarkably, though, these symptoms tend to disappear or improve upon leaving and resurface upon re-entering.
What are the indications of sick building syndrome?
Sick building syndrome can adversely impact the skin, respiratory system, and even the nervous system. The causes behind this could be inadequate air quality, insufficient lighting, or a combination of both factors. Here are some of the symptoms that individuals staying in the building may encounter:
- Irritation in the throat
- Difficulties with breathing
- A feeling of tightness in the chest
- Allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and sneezing;
- A burning sensation within the nose;
- Dry and itchy skin along with rashes on various parts of their body
- High fever accompanied by chills
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Problems concentrating on tasks at hand due to exhaustion and irritability.
If you have allergies or respiratory-related illnesses, your symptoms are likely to be more severe compared to those who do not. For instance, individuals with asthma face a higher risk of experiencing asthma attacks due to sick building syndrome. It is important to note that this syndrome affects each person differently. While some may not develop any symptoms from being in such a building, others may experience severe symptoms. Furthermore, these symptoms can persist even after leaving the building due to prolonged exposure.
What exactly causes sick building syndrome?
This term is used when it becomes challenging to pinpoint the cause of your illness and associated symptoms. Your doctor may associate these symptoms with various factors, but they all stem from a particular condition present in the building where you spend most of your day. Some well-known contributing factors include:
- Insufficient air circulation is a common issue in various types of establishments like schools, offices, and public areas.
- Excessive dust levels can contribute to this problem. If you smoke indoors, cigarette smoke can further worsen the air quality.
- Additionally, rooms with inadequate lighting may have an impact on the overall environment. The presence of mold within the building's structure is another factor that can affect indoor air quality negatively.
- Formalin, which is commonly found in wooden furniture and parquet flooring, as well as asbestos from older buildings are potential sources of contaminants too. Chemicals from cleaning products or pesticides used within enclosed spaces can also contribute to poor indoor air quality. Even laser printers emit ozone gas and nitrogen oxide during printing processes, thereby affecting the surrounding atmosphere.
- Moreover, low morale and high stress levels in workplaces could potentially influence one's health due to their impact on overall well-being.
- A noisy work environment might not only be distracting, but could also contribute to feelings of discomfort or unease among individuals occupying such spaces.
Lastly, the presence of pests in large numbers can lead to contamination through their droppings adversely affecting the quality of air that one breathes inside such locations.
איך מטפלים בתסמונת הבניין החולה?
To effectively address the symptoms of sick building syndrome, you can consider taking anti-allergy medications. However, it's crucial to understand that this only provides temporary relief and does not solve the underlying issue. If you are experiencing these problems at home, it is essential to identify and treat the root cause. On the other hand, if you encounter these issues in an office setting, it is advisable to have a conversation with your boss about them. Your boss can then communicate with professionals who work in the building or invite experts who specialize in resolving such problems.
1. Opt for green cleaning products that do not emit strong odors or release excessive vapors into the air.
2. Make sure to vacuum regularly to minimize dust accumulation.
3. Clean and maintain the filters of your air conditioner on a regular basis.
4. Maintain humidity levels within the recommended range of 40-70% throughout your living or working space.
5. Address any mold issues on walls promptly by seeking appropriate treatment methods.
6. Purchase higher quality bulbs or lighting fixtures for better indoor lighting conditions.
How does one prevent this disease?
By following these measures, you can help prevent sick building syndrome from occurring and improve overall indoor air quality for a healthier environment both at home and in office spaces
Regrettably, it may not be possible to completely eradicate the issue by improving the air quality within the building. However, there are still various measures you can take on an individual level to mitigate the symptoms associated with this syndrome:
1. Take frequent and extended breaks, stepping outside of the building to inhale fresh air. For instance, opt for having your lunch outdoors rather than indoors.
2. Open windows to allow clean air into the premises, unless there is a high level of air pollution outside.
3. If you spend prolonged hours working in front of a computer screen, click here to explore techniques for managing computer vision syndrome.
4. Minimize your use of pesticides or strong cleaning products like bleach.
Please note that these actions may not entirely eliminate problems caused by poor indoor air quality but can help alleviate symptoms associated with it significantly
