Sick Building Syndrome

Overview

Sick building syndrome describes a situation in which people develop a cluster of symptoms that seem connected to time spent in a specific building, usually an office or other workplace, without a single identifiable illness or contaminant to explain them. A defining feature is that symptoms tend to improve or disappear soon after leaving the building.

The condition differs from "building-related illness," in which a specific cause and diagnosis can be pinned down, such as an infection or a recognized allergic lung reaction. In sick building syndrome, no single cause is found, but factors in the indoor environment, especially poor ventilation, are thought to play a major role. The symptoms are real and can affect comfort, productivity, and well-being.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically affect many people in the same building and involve several body systems.

• Headache
• Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• Irritation, dryness, or itching of the eyes
• Stuffy or runny nose and throat irritation
• Dry or itchy skin
• Dizziness and nausea

The key pattern is timing: symptoms appear or worsen during time spent in the building and ease within hours of leaving, often clearing over weekends or holidays. When several occupants report similar complaints, an environmental cause becomes more likely.

Causes

No single cause explains sick building syndrome, but several indoor environmental factors are commonly involved:

• Poor ventilation: Inadequate fresh air, often the leading factor.
• Indoor pollutants: Fumes from furnishings, carpets, adhesives, cleaning products, and office equipment.
• Biological contaminants: Mold, dust, and bacteria, sometimes from damp areas or ventilation systems.
• Outdoor pollutants drawn in through poorly placed air intakes.
• Physical conditions: Uncomfortable temperature, low humidity, poor lighting, and noise, which can worsen perceived symptoms.

Psychological factors such as stress and low job satisfaction can also amplify how symptoms are experienced.

Risk Factors

• Working in a building with poor or inadequate ventilation
• Recently renovated or newly furnished spaces with off-gassing materials
• Damp or water-damaged areas that encourage mold growth
• Pre-existing allergies, asthma, or sensitive eyes and airways
• High workplace stress and limited control over the environment

Diagnosis

Sick building syndrome is recognized by the pattern of symptoms rather than a specific test, and the evaluation also rules out other diagnoses.

• Symptom pattern: Noting that symptoms relate to the building and improve away from it, and that multiple occupants are affected.
• Medical assessment: Checking for allergies, asthma, infections, and other conditions that could explain the symptoms.
• Building investigation: An assessment of ventilation, humidity, possible mold or moisture problems, and indoor pollutant sources, sometimes by occupational or environmental health specialists.

If a specific cause and diagnosis are found, the situation is reclassified as a building-related illness and treated accordingly.

Treatment

Because the problem is largely environmental, the most effective measures address the building itself, alongside relief of individual symptoms.

• Improving ventilation: Increasing fresh air supply and maintaining heating and cooling systems.
• Controlling moisture and mold: Fixing leaks, reducing dampness, and cleaning affected areas.
• Reducing pollutant sources: Choosing low-emission materials, storing chemicals properly, and ventilating during cleaning or renovation.
• Comfort adjustments: Managing temperature, humidity, lighting, and noise.
• Treating individual symptoms: Such as eye drops for irritation or managing underlying allergies and asthma.

When building conditions improve, symptoms among occupants often decrease, confirming the environmental link.

Prevention

• Maintain ventilation and air-handling systems on a regular schedule
• Address leaks, damp, and mold promptly to prevent buildup
• Use low-emission furnishings and finishes and ventilate well after renovations
• Keep humidity in a comfortable range and avoid overcrowding spaces
• Encourage occupants to report problems early so they can be investigated

When to See a Doctor

See a doctor if you have ongoing symptoms linked to your building, so that other conditions such as allergies, asthma, or infection can be checked. Seek urgent care if you develop significant breathing difficulty, wheezing, chest tightness, or fever, as these may indicate asthma, a respiratory infection, or a building-related illness that needs specific treatment rather than general air-quality measures.

Related Topics

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Indoor Air Quality.
2. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Indoor Environmental Quality.
3. World Health Organization (WHO). Indoor air quality guidelines.
4. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Indoor air pollution.