Are You Suffering from Sick Building Syndrome?

"Sick Building Syndrome" is a term that is used to describe when somebody experiences health or personal comfort effects that seem to be linked to the amount of time spent in a particular building, but they are unable to positively identify a specific cause or health condition responsible for these effects.

These effects may only be felt when in one particular room or area of a building, or they may be experienced throughout the facility. Also, they may be limited to one individual or can affect a large number of building occupants.

The complaints differ and can include many symptoms such as headaches; dry, itching, red or watery eyes; sensitivity to odors; coughing; dry or itchy patches or skin including rashes; dizziness; nausea; or fatigue.

Two things that do seem to be consistent with Sick Building Syndrome are the fact that an immediate cause of the symptoms is not known and that people who are suffering report a relief from these symptoms once they are away from the building.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the following factors are often responsible for causing or contributing to complaints of Sick Building Syndrome:

1. Biological Contaminants
This includes mold, mildew, bacteria, pollens, and insect or bird droppings. These contaminants may breed in stagnant water that has collected around building leaks or in ducts, drain pans, or humidifiers.

2. Indoor Chemical Contaminants
Adhesives, carpeting, upholstery (including fabric cubicle walls), manufactured wood products (particularly press board), copy machines, pesticides, cigarette smoke, and cleaning products may all emit volatile organic compounds (VOC's), including formaldehyde.

3. Outdoor Chemical Contaminants
The outdoor air that enters a building, particularly through poorly positioned air intake vents, doors or windows can also be a source of chemical pollution. Common contaminants may include motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents, kitchen fumes, or bathroom exhausts.

4. Inadequate Ventilation
Energy conservation measures and construction methods have resulted in buildings today being more tightly sealed than ever before. As a result, there has been a decrease in the outdoor air exchange. Inadequate ventilation may also occur when the HVAC system is not properly sized, balanced or maintained for the square footage and type of occupancy intended and is unable to effectively distribute conditioned air to the occupants of the building.

A professional indoor air quality investigation is one tool to help identify potential risk factors that may be contributing to symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome.

For more information on Sick Building Syndrome, check out this document available from the EPA: www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/sbs.html.

Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 22 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.