This document discusses sick buildings and indoor air quality. It defines sick building syndrome as occupants experiencing health effects linked to time in a building when no specific illness can be identified. Building related illness is when occupants show symptoms of diagnosable illness attributed to indoor air contaminants. Common sick building symptoms include dry eyes, throat, skin and headaches. Properly assessing indoor air requires measuring physical, chemical and biological factors over time alongside occupant questionnaires. The goal is to design buildings that have low health risks and support healthy behaviors.

1. Sick buildings
Diagnosis and treatment
7y790
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2. MAC
The maximally allowed concentration (MAC) of a
gaseous substance is that concentration in the air
of a working environment that in general
• According to current knowledge;
• Even at repeated and long-term exposure;
• During the full working life;
will not harm the health of workers nor that of
their descendants
[Nationale MAC-commissie 1978]
MAC-TGG = tijdgewogen gemiddelde / time weighted mean
MAC-C = peak concentration
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3. Some general hygienic limits
Agent Limit value
Micro-organisms in air 500 CFU / m3
Dust < 3.5 μm 40 μm / m3
Fungal products 2 ng / m3 (?)
Bacterial toxins 100 ng / m3
Carbon monoxide 25 ppm
Carbon dioxide 700 ppm
Mites in carpeting 10 / g dust; 2 μm allergen / g dust
Mites in bed / padded furniture 100 / g dust; 2 μm allergen / g dust
Rats / Mice < 1 / building
Cockroaches < 1 / building
Legionella in water 50 (25) CFU / l
Bacteria in potable water 1000 CFU / ml
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4. Health damage & buildings
• Sick building syndrome (SBS) =
occupants experience acute health and
comfort effects that are linked to time
spent in a building; no specific illness or
cause can be identified
• Building related illness (BRI) = occupant
shows symptoms of diagnosable illness
that can be attributed directly to airborne
building contaminants
Source: Environmental Protection Agency USA: http://epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html
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5. Sick Building Syndrome
a collection of certain specific
complaints and symptoms
experienced by workers during
or after a stay in certain
building spaces
Source: E Eyskens, L Feenstra, AE Meinders (eds) 1991. Codex Medicus. Elsevier,
Amsterdam. ISBN 90-6228-183-4
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6. Sick Building Symptoms
• Dry eyes
• Dry throat
• Headache
• Dry skin
• Mucous membrane irritation
• Lethargy
• Asthmatic symptoms
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7. Additive effects
Example: Pollution by a Laser printer
C = Concentration in the Air;
MAC = MAC value:
Ozon: 0.1 ppm; Carbon monoxide: 25 ppm; airborne dust
(stof) 0.05 mg / m3 air
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8. A Sick Building
forms an environment that adheres to
relevant standards but does not fully
answer to the human need for:
- Absence of Pathogens
- Absence of other biotic, chemical or physical Pollutants
- Thermal Comfort
- Lighting Comfort
- Acoustic Comfort
- Sufficient Space, Privacy, Peace and Quiet
- Contact with outdoors (view, sound, smell, air quality)
Source: PA Vroon 1991. Ziekmakende Gebouwen en de evolutie van de mens.
Bouwfysica 2(2):18-25; E Eyskens, L Feenstra, AE Meinders (eds) 1991.
Codex Medicus. Elsevier, Amsterdam. ISBN 90-6228-183-4
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9. A Healthy Building
forms an environment that
- Has a Low Risk for negative health effects
- Makes Healthy Behaviour self-evident
- Compensates for disease or infirmity present
- Stimulates users to realise their ambitions
- Leaves Users Master of the situation
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10. Building Assessment
Health aspect Assessment method
Physical, chemical Check user Questionnaire /
biological interfaces Interview
measurements
Low health risk x x x
Supporting healthy 0 x x
behaviour
Compensates 0 x x
Stimulates ambitions 0 0 x
Leave end-users 0 x x
master
Building-in-use method = repeated questionnaires
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11. “General” measurements
•Carbon dioxide
•Carbon monoxide
•Water vapour
•Airborne dust
Pay attention to the following:
- Peak values may be more important than averages
- Measure continuously for 7-10 days
- Measure outdoor and indoor concurrently
- Combine physical values with a complaint diary
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12. Building services design
(also for dwellings)
•Robust
•Locus of control = user
•Automated when desired by user
•Sensors for CO, CO2, energy use, ….
Sensors
•Automated safety actions always with
explanation to the users
•Action options for the user
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