Sick building syndrome is a situation where building occupants experience acute health effects that are linked to time spent in the building. It is attributable to factors like increasing electronic equipment and inadequate ventilation. Common symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and headaches that resolve when away from the building. Potential causes include chemical and biological contaminants from indoor and outdoor sources, as well as psychological factors. Recommended remedies involve cleaning and maintenance of HVAC systems, increasing ventilation, and removing pollution sources.

1. SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

2. Definition
Situation in which the
occupants of a building
experience acute health or
comforted related effects
that be linked to time spent
in the building
Attributable to the
increasing presence of
electronic equipment and
other factors
Most cases occurs in office
buildings and other
communal buildings
Phenomenon occur when
more than 20% of the
occupants of building
complain about air quality
or have definite symptoms
When identified, extensive
investigation is required

3. Etiology
The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of disease or
condition
Etiology of Sick Building Syndrome
Factors that might be primarily responsible for Sick Building Syndrome

4. Etiology of Sick
Building Syndrome
Chemical contaminants
• Outdoor sources – vehicle exhausts
and plumbing vents
• Indoor sources – volatile organic
compounds
Biological contaminants
• Pollen, bacteria, fungus and mold
that can breed in stagnant water
accumulated such as in drainpipes
or collected water
• Insect and bird droppings
• Air-conditioning systems
Inadequate ventilation
Electromagnetic radiation from
gadgets
Psychological factors
• Excessive stress
• Poor interpersonal relationships
• Poor communication
Poor and inappropriate lighting with
absence of sunlight, bad acoustics,
poor ergonomics and humidity

5. Source - http://www.aida-soken.co.jp/en/img/sic.jpg

6. Signs and symptoms of the building-related disease are as follows:
• Cough, chest pain, shortness of breath on mild exertion, edema, palpitations, nosebleeds,
cancers, pregnancy problems and miscarriages. Extrinsic allergic alveolitis, Legionnaire's disease,
humidifier fever, pneumonia and occupational asthma are also known to occur.
• Legionnaire's disease is due to contamination of cooling towers by legionella organisms.
Legionella is also responsible for Pontiac fever. Legionnaire's disease occurs predominantly in the
middle aged and elderly adults whereas Pontiac fever occurs in young healthy adults, and has a
very high secondary attack rate.
• Humidifier fever is caused by breathing in water droplets from humidifiers heavily contaminated
with microorganisms causing respiratory infections, asthma and extrinsic allergic alveolitis. The
disease is non-infective in nature. The patient may have flu-like symptoms. It is sometimes called
Monday Fever. Permanent lung damage does not occur.
• The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes. The complainants
may require prolonged recovery time after leaving the building.
• It is important to note that complaints may also result from other cause like a preexisting illness
or other allergies, job-related stress or dissatisfaction and psychosocial factors.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796751/

7. Symptoms
of Sick
Building
Syndrome
Symptoms are
temporally
related to time
spent in
particular
building or part
of building
Symptoms
resolve when
the individuals
is not in building
Symptoms recur
seasonally
(heating,
cooling)
Co-workers and
peers have
noted similar
complaints

8. MAIN INDICATOR
AFTER YOU LEAVE
THE ROOM/AREA/BUILDING,
EVERYTHING FEELS BETTER

9. Sick Building Investigating Procedure
9

10. REMEDIAL STRATEGIES
Heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems should be kept clean and regularly
maintained. HVAC system may need to have the ventilation rates increased.
Try to ensure access to natural sunlight and opening windows for ventilation
Air filters may need to have more frequent replacement
All chemicals should be properly stored and only used with proper ventilation.
Regular cleaning of soft furnishings to avoid the built up of dust and dust mites
Sources of pollution should be eliminated or relocated to a place where there are
fewer people. For example, the removal of photocopiers from busy work areas
Smoking Restrictions. Where smoking indoors is permitted, extractors should be used to
direct the smoke outside the building

11. 11
1. Routine maintenance of
HVAC, health checks, proper
storage and use of paints,
adhesives, solvents, and
pesticides in well ventilated
areas.
2. Allowing sufficient drying &
de-fuming time for building
materials in new or remodeled
areas before occupying.
3. Purchasing furniture and
carpet made with low contents
of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) and only painting with
low-VOC paints
1. High performance air filters
capture the smaller, respirable
particles but are relatively
expensive to install & operate.
2. Mechanical filters do not
remove gaseous pollutants.
3. Usage of gaseous pollutants
adsorbent beds is expensive and
require frequent replacement.
4. Air cleaners are useful with
limited application.
1. Maintenance
personnel must
periodically
communicate and
educate the building
occupants and to the
management, causes
and consequences of
Sick Building Syndrome
2. Periodic audits &
release reports.
AIR CLEANING
POLLUTANT SOURCE
REMOVAL/
MODIFICATION
EDUCATION &
COMMUNICATION
PREVENTIVE MEASURES

12. Reference
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2796751/#sec1-
3title
• http://www.ei-resource.org/illness-information/related-
conditions/sick-building-syndrome/
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/sick_building_syndrome/page4_e
m.htm#prevention_of_sick_building_syndrome
• United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Indoor
Environmental Quality." June 20, 2013.
<http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/>.
• http://www.safeworkers.co.uk/sickbuildingsyndrome.html