Sick Building Syndrome
The term “Sick Building Syndrome”, or SBS, has been used to describe an unfortunate situation in which a significant number of building occupants experience symptoms of headache, fatigue, eye irritation, throat irritation, nasal congestion, or other reversible health effects that subside upon leaving the building.
AirWays Environmental Services does not use the term “sick” in reference to any building. Buildings are never sick.
Studies of hundreds of buildings have demonstrated that, in most cases, inadequate ventilation is related to the cause of the symptoms listed above. Indoor air contaminants of a chemical, particulate, or biological nature can produce such symptoms, especially when ventilation is sub-standard.
Placing a “Sick Building” label on a workplace benefits no one. Once an investigation has been conducted, and the cause of such health complaints has been eliminated, it is difficult to remove the stigma afterward.
When SBS symptoms are reported, it is an indication that a problem needs to be identified and resolved. Once a comfortable and healthful workplace has been restored, employees can return to being productive.
More serious, clinically diagnosed diseases associated with a building are termed Building Related Illnesses. Legionaires’ disease is an example.
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Call to discuss:
(732) 842-5564
P.O. Box 8576
Red Bank, NJ 07701