Sick building syndrome sbs skin#

It generally begins with a walkthrough inspection of the problem area to provide information about the four basic factors that influence indoor air quality: To achieve this goal, it is necessary for the investigator(s) to discover whether a complaint is actually related to indoor air quality, identify the cause of the complaint, and determine the most appropriate corrective actions.Īn indoor air quality investigation procedure is best characterized as a cycle of information gathering, hypothesis formation, and hypothesis testing. Biological contaminants: Bacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants.īuilding Investigation Procedures The goal of a building investigation is to identify and solve indoor air quality complaints in a way that prevents them from recurring and which avoids the creation of other problems.Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources: Outdoor air that enters a building.Chemical contaminants from indoor sources: Most indoor air pollution comes from sources inside the building.Inadequate ventilation: (ASHRAE) recently revised its ventilation standard to provide a minimum of 15 cfm of outdoor air per person (20 cfm/person in office spaces).The following have been cited causes of or contributing factors to sick building syndrome: Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the building.The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable causes.Building occupants complain of symptoms such as cough chest tightness fever, chills and muscle aches.Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.The cause of the symptoms is not known.

Sick building syndrome sbs skin#

Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache eye, nose, or throat irritation dry cough dry or itchy skin dizziness and nausea difficulty in concentrating fatigue and sensitivity to odors.

In contrast, the term “building related illness” (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. Is it ”Sick Building Syndrome” or “Building Related Illness”?Īccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.