What is Sick Building Syndrome and where does it come from?
Miscellaneous / / April 05, 2023
Perhaps you feel bad in the office not only because of your colleagues or your boss.
What is sick building syndrome
Sick Building Syndrome is the name given to a group of symptoms that Maybe experience a person when he comes to a room. Moreover, as soon as he leaves this place, all signs disappear. Most often this happens in offices, especially in open spaces. Sometimes unpleasant sensations occur in a group of people.
Officially, there is no such disease, and some skeptics consider these manifestations psychosomatics. But the fact is that because of the syndrome, productivity is falling, and workers are more likely to take sick leave.
How does Sick Building Syndrome manifest itself?
The longer you stay in the building, the more expressed the following symptoms:
- headache;
- dizziness;
- nausea;
- eye irritation;
- irritation of the nose or throat, dry cough;
- dry or itchy skin;
- difficulty concentrating;
- fatigue;
- sensitivity to smells;
- hoarseness of voice;
- aggravation of symptoms allergies;
- flu-like manifestations;
- increased frequency of asthma attacks;
- deterioration of the psychological state.
If these signs arise when staying in different places, it is not sick building syndrome.
What Causes Sick Building Syndrome?
It's not exactly known why develops this condition, but there are several theories.
Radiation
Especially when working with displays for more than seven hours. There is no clear understanding of how radiation can provoke sick building syndrome. Perhaps the fact is that it ionizes dust particles, which then settle on the face.
Paper handling
Offices with a lot of paper or paper shredders are more likely to experience symptoms. Most likely, this is due to paint particles and dense fibers that are released when the sheet is destroyed.
Cigarette smoke
For non-smokers who work with smokers, this syndrome is more common than those who sit in smoke-free areas.
Ventilation rate
Any materials, furniture, appliances can release some substances into the air. Good ventilation dilutes the stale atmosphere of the room, so it is much easier to stay in such buildings.
Temperature
If your home or office is also fighting for the air conditioner remote control, here's an argument for those who are hot: at temperatures above 23 ° C, the symptoms of sick building syndrome intensify.
Humidity
Low humidity is also bad, because it is difficult to stay in a room with dry air, and too high, because it provokes the growth of mold and bacteria.
Dust
Poor quality cleaning, overcrowding, improperly arranged furniture - these are all reasons for more dust, which also increases the symptoms.
Psychological factors
Sick Building Syndrome is thought to be more common in women. Also, people in low positions are more susceptible to it. Perhaps this is due to the fact that management usually has improved working conditions, such as separate offices with windows and so on.
Which of the following is not true of Sick Building Syndrome
Any condition that There is clear reasons and which do not go away after the person has left the premises.
infections
Especially if there is standing water somewhere in the building, for example, under pipes, in ventilation, in basements. Then bacteria and molds multiply in it, which can provoke various diseases. And legionella can live in air conditioners, which cause "legionnaires' disease", that is, one of the atypical forms pneumonia. Also, pathogens are found in rat and bird droppings.
Chemical poisoning
If windows or vents are not well positioned, combustion products, exhaust gases, particles of lead paint from the highway or from the nearest garage can enter the room. And if there is a production nearby - asbestos, formaldehyde, industrial solvents and other toxic substances.
How to Relieve Sick Building Syndrome
Not much can be done on your own, but even these measures can greatly improve situation:
- Ventilate the room more often.
- Keep the air temperature at around 18°C or a little more, but definitely less than 23°C.
- Take regular breaks, especially if you sit at the computer for a long time.
- Go outside during lunch or short breaks.
- Control your level stress.
- Contact your supervisor if you feel that the premises are not being hygienic.
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