Medicines for Sick building syndrome

What it is

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is the term used to describe a range of symptoms that a person (or a group of people) experiences that appear to be linked to spending time in a particular building — typically a workplace or another indoor environment — and that tend to improve or go away after leaving the building. It is not a single disease with one cause, but rather a pattern of symptoms associated with being in a specific building, without a specific illness being identified as the cause. The symptoms of sick building syndrome are usually non-specific and can affect several areas, and can include: headaches; tiredness and difficulty concentrating; irritation of the eyes, nose, or throat (such as dryness, soreness, or a stuffy or runny nose); a dry or itchy skin; a cough or chest tightness; dizziness; and feeling generally unwell. A key feature is the pattern — the symptoms are associated with time spent in the particular building and tend to ease after leaving it (for example, improving at weekends or on holiday, away from the building). The exact causes are not fully understood and are likely to involve a combination of factors related to the indoor environment — such as poor ventilation, the air quality and temperature, humidity, dust, chemicals or fumes (for example from furnishings, cleaning products, or equipment), lighting, and other environmental factors — as well as factors such as stress and the working environment. Sick building syndrome is generally not dangerous and does not usually cause lasting harm, but the symptoms can be unpleasant and can affect wellbeing, comfort, and productivity. Importantly, it is also necessary to make sure the symptoms are not due to another, specific cause — such as a specific medical condition, an allergy, or a specific problem with the building (for example a specific source of poor air quality, mould, or a particular exposure) — which would need its own assessment and management. Managing sick building syndrome usually involves improving the building environment (such as improving ventilation, air quality, temperature, and cleaning, and addressing specific issues) and addressing contributing factors, which often improves the symptoms; and, where relevant, ensuring individuals’ symptoms are appropriately assessed. The key messages are that sick building syndrome is a pattern of non-specific symptoms (such as headaches, tiredness, and irritated eyes, nose, or throat) that seem linked to a particular building and improve on leaving it, and that it is managed by improving the building environment and addressing contributing factors, while ensuring other causes are excluded.

How it is treated

Sick building syndrome is managed by improving the building environment and addressing contributing factors (which often improves the symptoms), while ensuring that other, specific causes of the symptoms are excluded. Because the symptoms of sick building syndrome are non-specific and can have other causes, an important part of the approach is making sure the symptoms are not due to a specific medical condition (such as an allergy, an infection, or another illness) or a specific building-related problem (such as a particular source of poor air quality, mould, damp, a chemical exposure, or a fault) — so individuals with symptoms may be assessed by a doctor to check for other causes, and specific building problems are looked into and addressed; recognising the pattern (symptoms linked to a particular building and improving on leaving) helps, but should not lead to missing another cause. Managing sick building syndrome then focuses on improving the indoor environment and addressing the likely contributing factors, which often improves the symptoms — measures can include: improving ventilation and the supply of fresh air; managing the temperature, humidity, and air quality; ensuring good cleaning and reducing dust; addressing potential sources of irritants, fumes, or chemicals (for example from furnishings, equipment, or cleaning products); ensuring appropriate lighting; and maintaining the building and its systems (such as heating and air conditioning) well. Because factors such as stress, the working environment, and how people feel about their environment can also contribute, addressing these — for example, general workplace wellbeing, taking breaks, and getting fresh air — can help. This often involves the building’s management or employer, and, in a workplace, may involve occupational health and health and safety input to assess and improve the environment; where a group of people are affected, investigating and improving the building environment is key. For individuals, simple measures — such as taking breaks and getting fresh air, staying hydrated, and managing symptoms — may help in the meantime, and seeing a doctor ensures other causes are not missed and any specific symptoms are managed. The reassuring messages are that sick building syndrome is generally not dangerous and does not usually cause lasting harm, that it is managed by improving the building environment and addressing contributing factors (which often improves the symptoms), and that it is important to ensure other specific causes are excluded; so improving the indoor environment, addressing contributing factors, and appropriate assessment are the keys to managing sick building syndrome.