Sick building syndrome

Built environment affects our lives in a myriad of ways including impacts on health issues. Sick building syndrome (SBS) is caused by indoor environmental conditions of workplaces and houses and causes long term health problems. Symptoms are sensory irritation of the eyes, lips, nose, throat, mucosa and skin and odor and taste sensations

The problem is pinned down to flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Other causes have been attributed to contaminants produced by outgassing of some types of building materials, molds, lack of adequate fresh-air intake/air filtration, and also sometimes inappropriate ventilation of the ozone produced by some machines in offices.

Ninety percent of 189 cases studied at University of Umeå between 1986 and 1998 of were women. The reason can be the fact that women are more willing to report such things, but can also be due to a more responsive immune system in women.

It is always important to seek care early to avoid persistent problems. Symptoms are normally relieved after changing the work place or improvements in the building.

Sources:
http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=83&artikel=2510558#articleToolbar
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