Sick Building Syndrome
Sick building syndrome occurs when workers or occupants experience negative side effects due to spending an extended length of time in a building. Illness can be linked to one room, a specific area, or an outbreak can be caused from contaminants linked to an entire building. Often illness strikes due to improper use of the original building design, indoor air problems or human activity.
Symptoms
People who experience sick building syndrome will often have headaches, dry skin, nausea or a dry cough. Sometimes people who are affected will start to experience extreme throat, nose or eye irritations. Some people may also develop a sensitivity to smells and have difficulty concentrating. If the contaminated building happens to be a place of business, workers may notice an increase in sick time and a decrease in their productivity.
Causes
Exposure to outside and indoor contaminants are contributing factors linked to sick building syndrome. Outdoor pollutants like car exhaust from a nearby garage can seep through windows, vents and other openings. Indoor contaminants can come from chemicals associated with upholstery, copy machines, unvented space heaters or cleaning agents.
Biological contaminants like bacteria and mold can spread in stagnant water. When the mold and bacteria spread, it can contaminant ceiling tiles, drain pans and carpets. People who have sick building syndrome due to biological contamination will often have a fever, muscle aches and chest tightness.
Solutions
Inspect the building for possible sources of contamination before occupying it. Check the wood furniture, cleaning products, tiles, vents and rugs. Before placing any items in a room or building, check to see if they have an odor. Often products, furniture or office machines will have an odor if it contains harmful contaminants. Once you figure out what is creating the illness, replace the items or cleaning products with healthier options.
After painting, cleaning or decorating a room, air out the area or building before moving in. Open windows, doors or any opening to get fresh air into the building or room as soon as possible. To get the most effective results, use a professional air cleaner to freshen the stale air in the contaminated rooms or building.
Keep the carpets in the building clean. Carpets are a magnet for toxic particles like mold and dust mites. Make sure to vacuum as often as possible. Also, make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which will offer the best results for getting any rugs contaminant free.
