Sick Building Syndrome

SBS environments

Source: NHS

In this topic (7)

SBS seems to be associated with certain types of buildings. Most cases occur in open plan offices, butpeople sometimes develop the symptoms while in other buildings that are occupied by lots of people such as:

  • schools
  • libraries
  • museums

There have also been anecdotal reports of people experiencing symptoms such as headaches, tiredness and dizzinessat home.

Although these symptoms aren't necessarily related to SBS, it's important to ensure your home is a safe environment. Make sure you have working smoke alarms fitted and thatgasappliances, such as cookers and boilers, are regularly serviced.

Make sure you can open the windows to allow you to ventilate your home, and keep your home as dust-free as possible. Keeping the rooms free of clutter and in good decorative order will also help make your home a pleasant environment in which to live.

As yet, no single cause has been identified. Most experts believe that it may be the result of a combination of things.

Possible risk factors for SBS may include:

  • poor ventilation
  • low humidity
  • high temperature or changes in temperature throughout the day
  • airborne particles, such as dust, carpet fibres or fungal spores
  • airborne chemical pollutants, such as those from cleaning materials or furniture, or ozone produced by photocopiers and printers
  • physical factors, such as electrostatic charges
  • poor standards of cleanliness in the working environment
  • inadequate ventilation when using chemical cleaning products
  • poor lighting that causes glare or flicker on visual display units
  • improper use ofdisplay screen equipment
  • psychological factors, such as stress orlow staff morale

Articles for Sick Building Syndrome

Advice for employees

If you think your working environment is making you ill, talk to your colleagues to see whether they have similar symptoms. If SBS appears to be a workplace issue, you should raise it with your line m

Definition

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a poorly understood phenomenon where people have symptoms related to a certain building, most often a workplace.

Employers responsibilities

The HSE recommends that employers take the steps outlined below to investigate the possible causes of SBS. Carry out an employee survey to find out whethersymptoms are occurring more oftenthan expect

SBS environments

SBS seems to be associated with certain types of buildings. Most cases occur in open plan offices, butpeople sometimes develop the symptoms while in other buildings that are occupied by lots of people

SBS symptoms

The symptoms of SBS may include: Headaches and dizziness nausea (feeling sick) aches and pains fatigue (extreme tiredness) poorconcentration shortness of breath or chest tightness eye and throat irri

Who's affected by SBS?

Anyone can be affected by SBS, but office workers in modern buildings without opening windows and with mechanical ventilation or air conditioning systems are most at risk. The likelihood of experienci

Workplace health

There are a number of measures you can take at work to help prevent the symptoms of sick building syndrome. For example, you can: open windows to avoid getting too hot organise and prioritise your wo