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Sick building syndrome (SBS) is the term used to describe the medical condition in which people in a building suffer from symptoms of illnesses for no apparent reason. SBS was found to be associated with indoor air quality (IAQ) but there are a variety of determinants (buildings, in particular). Identifying and controlling factors related to SBS is crucial for improving worker health and efficiency. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate (1) the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and skin SBS and (2) their associations with IAQ among office workers in administrative offices in an academic medical institute. A self-reporting questionnaire assessing the worker’s characteristics, working conditions, and perception of working environments was used. The building assessment was via a walk-through survey and IAQ measurement. Of 290 office workers, 261 (90%) in 25 offices of 11 buildings took part in the survey. The highest prevalence of SBS was nasal symptoms (25.3%). We found that to reduce the risk of SBS, optimal air temperature levels in air-conditioned offices should be lower than 23 °C, with relative humidity between 60% and 70%. Lowering indoor CO2 levels below 700 ppm may be indicative of adequate ventilation to prevent SBS by reducing worker discomfort and indoor contaminants (e.g., formaldehyde).

Background Exposure to low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ordinary life is suspected to be related to oxidative stress and decreased lung function. This study evaluated whether exposure to ambient VOCs in indoor air affects airway inflammation. Methods Thirty-four subjects from the hospital that had moved to a new building were enrolled. Symptoms of sick building syndrome, pulmonary function tests, and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) were evaluated, and random urine samples were collected 1 week before and after the move. Urine samples were analyzed for VOC metabolites, oxidative stress biomarkers, and urinary leukotriene E4 (uLTE4) levels. Results The level of indoor VOCs in the new building was higher than that in the old building. Symptoms of eye dryness and eye irritation, as well as the level of a xylene metabolite (o-methylhippuric acid) increased after moving into the new building ( p  = 0.012, p  = 0.008, and p  < 0.0001, respectively). For the inflammatory markers, FeNO decreased (p = 0.012 and p  = 0.04, respectively) and the uLTE4 level increased ( p  = 0.005) after the move. Conclusion Exposure to a higher level of VOCs in everyday life could affect airway inflammation.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is caused by having unhealthy indoor environments. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition that is potentially triggered by low-level chemical exposure. Demographic factors, lifestyle factors, and comorbidities have been reported as potential risk factors of both conditions; however, studies on these factors involving large populations in Japan are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate whether demographics, lifestyle, and comorbidities were associated with MCS and SBS in a large Japanese population, and whether autistic traits (Japanese version of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient Short Form, AQ-10-J), psychological distress (Japanese version of the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale, K6), and serum total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were related to the outcomes. The participants included 92,387 pregnant women and 48,451 partners. The outcomes were self-reported physician-diagnosed SBS, MCS, and SBS and/or MCS (combined outcome [CO]). Age-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of total and antigen-specific IgE levels, demographic factors, and lifestyle factors were determined. The proportions of pregnant women with SBS, MCS, and CO were 307 (0.33%), 128 (0.14%), and 415 (0.45%), respectively, while those of their partners were 85 (0.18%), 30 (0.06%), and 112 (0.23%), respectively. Allergic diseases, psychiatric diseases, migraine, and higher psychological distress were associated with significantly higher ORs for SBS, MCS, and CO. Among pregnant women, autoimmune diseases, cancer, kidney diseases, higher physical activity, autistic traits, and total and specific IgE levels were associated with significantly higher ORs for SBS, MCS, and CO. Clinicians should consider common comorbid disorders when treating patients with SBS and MCS, and their protective and deteriorating lifestyles and demographic factors should be clarified.

This study aimed to investigate the association between indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters and the prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms among university students in different types of classrooms. The research responds to growing concerns about environmental health risks in educational settings and seeks to identify key IAQ predictors of SBS symptoms. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 205 students at a Malaysian public university. An online questionnaire adapted from the Indoor Air Quality Industry Code of Practice (ICOP-IAQ) 2010 was used to assess SBS symptoms. Simultaneously, IAQ monitoring was carried out in selected lecture halls (LHs) and tutorial rooms (TRs) using calibrated instruments to measure PM 2.5 , PM 10 , temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), total bacterial count, and fungal count. Comparisons were made between the classrooms. Significant differences were observed between LHs and TRs for PM 2.5 , PM 10 , temperature, relative humidity, CO, and bacterial counts. SBS symptoms were more prevalent in LHs (70.2%) than in TRs (56.6%). In LHs, CO, PM 10 , relative humidity, and fungal count were significantly associated with SBS symptoms, while in TRs, only CO 2 showed a significant association. Multivariate analysis identified CO, PM 10 , and fungal count as significant predictors in LHs (AOR = 4.7; p  < 0.001), and CO 2 in TRs (AOR = 2.7; p  = 0.003). IAQ parameters are significant contributors to SBS symptom prevalence among university students, with differences influenced by classroom type and ventilation design. These findings emphasize the urgency of IAQ interventions in academic institutions.

There are fewer longitudinal studies from China on symptoms as described for the sick building syndrome (SBS). Here, we performed a two-year prospective study and investigated associations between environmental parameters such as room temperature, relative air humidity (RH), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter (PM10), and health outcomes including prevalence, incidence and remission of SBS symptoms in junior high schools in Taiyuan, China. Totally 2134 pupils participated at baseline, and 1325 stayed in the same classrooms during the study period (2010-2012). The prevalence of mucosal symptoms, general symptoms and symptoms improved when away from school (school-related symptoms) was 22.7%, 20.4% and 39.2%, respectively, at baseline, and the prevalence increased during follow-up (P<0.001). At baseline, both indoor and outdoor SO2 were found positively associated with prevalence of school-related symptoms. Indoor O3 was shown to be positively associated with prevalence of skin symptoms. At follow-up, indoor PM10 was found to be positively associated with new onset of skin, mucosal and general symptoms. CO2 and RH were positively associated with new onset of mucosal, general and school-related symptoms. Outdoor SO2 was positively associated with new onset of skin symptoms, while outdoor NO2 was positively associated with new onset of skin, general and mucosal symptoms. Outdoor PM10 was found to be positively associated with new onset of skin, general and mucosal symptoms as well as school-related symptoms. In conclusion, symptoms as described for SBS were commonly found in school children in Taiyuan City, China, and increased during the two-year follow-up period. Environmental pollution, including PM10, SO2 and NO2, could increase the prevalence and incidence of SBS and decrease the remission rate. Moreover, parental asthma and allergy (heredity) and pollen or pet allergy (atopy) can be risk factors for SBS.

Background Sick building syndrome (SBS) consists of a group of mucosal, skin, and general symptoms temporally related to residential and office buildings of unclear causes. These symptoms are common in the general population. However, SBS symptoms and their contributing factors are poorly understood, and the community associates it with bad sprits. This community-based cross-sectional study was, therefore, conducted to assess the prevalence and associated factors of SBS in Gondar town. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2017. A total of 3405 study subjects were included using multistage and systematic random sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire and observational checklists were used to collect data. SBS was assessed by 24 building-related symptoms and confirmed by five SBS confirmation criteria. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with SBS on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p  < 0.05. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to check model fitness, and variance inflation factor (VIF) was also used to test interactions between variables. Results The prevalence of SBS in Gondar town was 21.7% (95% CI = 20.3–23.0%). Of this, the mucosal symptoms account for 64%, the general symptoms account for 54%, and the skin symptoms account for 10%. From study participants who reported SBS symptoms, 44% had more than one symptom. Headache (15.7%), asthma (8.3%), rhinitis (8.0%), and dizziness (7.5%) were the commonest reported symptoms. SBS was significantly associated with fungal growth in the building [AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = (1.05, 1.49)], unclean building [AOR = 1.26, 95% CI = (1.03, 1.55)], houses with no functional windows [AOR = 1.35, 95% CI = (1.12, 1.63)], houses with no fan [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI = (1.22, 2.96)], utilization of charcoal as a cooking energy source [AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = (1.02, 1.91)], cooking inside the living quarters [AOR = 1.31, 95% CI = (1.09, 1.58)], and incensing and joss stick use [AOR = 1.48, 95% CI = (1.23, 1.77)]. Conclusion The prevalence of SBS in Gondar town was high, and significant proportion of the population had more than one SBS symptom. Headache, asthma, rhinitis, and dizziness were the commonest reported SBS symptoms. Fungal growth, cleanliness of the building, availability of functional windows, availability of fan in the living quarters, using charcoal as a cooking energy source, cooking inside the quarters, and incensing habit or joss stick use were identified as factors associated with SBS. Improving the sanitation of the living environment and housekeeping practices of the occupants is useful to minimize the prevalence of SBS.

Background: Most studies on sick building syndrome (SBS) are cross-sectional and have dealt with symptoms among office workers. There are very few longitudinal cohort studies and few studies on SBS in relation to domestic exposures. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in SBS symptoms during the follow-up period and also to investigate changes in different types of indoor exposures at home and relate them to SBS symptoms in a population sample of adults from Sweden. We also wanted to investigate if there was any seasonal or regional variation in associations between exposure and SBS. Methods: A random sample of 1,000 people of the general population in Sweden (1991) was sent a self administered questionnaire. A follow-up questionnaire was sent in 2001. Results: An increased risk for onset of any skin symptoms (risk ratio (RR) 2.32, 1.37–3.93), mucosal symptoms (RR 3.17, 1.69–5.95) or general symptoms (RR 2.18, 1.29–3.70) was found for those who had dampness or moulds in the dwelling during follow-up. In addition people living in damp dwellings had a lower remission of general symptoms and skin symptoms. Conclusions: Dampness in the dwelling is a risk factor for new onset of SBS symptoms. Focus on indoor environment improvements in dwellings can be beneficial both for the inhabitants and the general population. Reducing dampness in buildings is an important factor for reducing SBS symptoms in the general population.

Winner of the Choice Outstanding Academic Titles of 2010 award. Ensuring that buildings are healthy and comfortable for their occupants is a primary concern of all architects and building engineers. This highly practical handbook will help make that process more efficient and effective. It begins with a guide to how the human body and senses react to different indoor environmental conditions, together with basic information on the parameters of the indoor environment and problems that can occur. It then moves on to give a background to the development of the study and control of the indoor environment, examining the main considerations (including thermal, lighting, indoor air and sound-related aspects) for a healthy and comfortable indoor environment and discussing the drivers for change in the field. The final section presents a new approach towards health and comfort in the indoor environment, where meeting the wishes and demands of the occupants with a holistic strategy becomes the over-riding priority. The book is filled with useful facts, figures and analysis, and practical methods that designers who are keen to assess and improve the user experience of their buildings will find invaluable.

Purpose Medical symptoms called sick building syndrome (SBS) and sick house syndrome (SHS) are usually investigated separately: in this study, SBS and SHS were explored simultaneously. The significance of personal factors, perceptions of air quality, and psychosocial work situation in explaining SBS and SHS were investigated. Methods A random sample of 1,000 subjects (20–65 year) received a postal questionnaire including questions on personal factors, medical symptoms, and the psychosocial demand-control-support model. The response rate was 70 % ( n  = 695), of which 532 were occupationally active. Results In logistic regression models, atopy, poor air quality at work, and low social support, especially low supervisor support, were associated with both SBS and SHS when age, gender, smoking, and BMI were introduced. The general work-related symptoms (headache, tiredness, nausea, and sensation of a cold) were also related to low control over work. Conclusions The perception of poor physical environmental conditions is associated with common medical symptoms that are both work and home related. The associations between medical symptoms and poor air quality are still present, even when controlling for the psychosocial environment.