Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a combination of ailments associated with an individual’s workplace or residence. A 1984 World Health Organization reported up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS. Most of the sick building syndrome is related to poor indoor air quality. Sick building causes are frequently 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, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), molds, improper exhaust ventilation of ozone (byproduct of some office machinery), light industrial chemicals used within, or lack of adequate fresh-air intake/air filtration.
Symptoms are often dealt with after the fact by boosting the overall turnover rate of fresh air exchange with the outside air. Some new green building designs are able to avoid most of the SBS problem sources in the first place. This minimizes the ongoing use of VOC cleaning compounds, and eliminates conditions that encourage allergenic mold growth.
Symptoms
Building occupants complain of symptoms such as sensory irritation of the eyes, nose, throat; neurotoxic or general health problems; skin irritation; nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions; and odor and taste sensations. Several sick occupants may report individual symptoms which do not appear to be connected. The key to discovery is the increased incidence of illnesses in general with onset or exacerbation within a fairly close time frame – usually within a period of weeks. In most cases, SBS symptoms will be relieved soon after the occupants leave the particular room or zone. However, there can be lingering effects of various neurotoxins, which may not clear up when the occupant leaves the building. In some cases, particularly in sensitive individuals, there can be long-term health effects.
Prevention
Pressure wash your roof to remove algae and mold.
Use ozone to eliminate the source VOC’s, molds, mildews, bacteria, viruses, and odors.
Pollutant source removal.
Replacement of water-stained ceiling tiles and carpeting.
Use of paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well-ventilated areas only.
Increasing the number of air exchanges; the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommend a minimum of 8.4 air exchanges per 24-hour period.
Proper and frequent maintenance of HVAC systems.
UV-C lights can be placed in the HVAC system.
Regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner to eliminate 99.97% of particulates. And Consult with your local ServiceMaster SRQ consultant.
If you or anyone in your home or office are having adverse health effects please contact us for our input in hopes that we may find a solution together.