By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    improving patient experience
    6 Ways to Improve Patient Satisfaction Within Hospitals
    December 1, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    What Are The Health Benefits Of Having A Degree?
    March 9, 2022
    custom software development is changing healthcare
    Digital Customer Journey Mapping and its Importance for Healthcare
    July 21, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    ACO infographic
    A Closer Look at Accountable Care Organizations [INFOGRAPHIC]
    June 5, 2014
    Medical Residents Get Their Own Social Network
    December 19, 2012
    FDA Social Media Guidance: Hangout on Air
    July 29, 2014
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Revisiting Sick Building Syndrome
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Wellness > Revisiting Sick Building Syndrome
Wellness

Revisiting Sick Building Syndrome

jennacyprus
Last updated: September 9, 2015 2:39 pm
jennacyprus
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term that’s increased in popularity since its introduction in the 1970s. It’s essentially a term used to describe the phenomenon in which the occupants of a specific building begin to notice acute health and wellness problems that have no specific cause. The term is generally used when the only correlation to a specific illness is the building in which each of the subjects spend a large amount of time.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term that’s increased in popularity since its introduction in the 1970s. It’s essentially a term used to describe the phenomenon in which the occupants of a specific building begin to notice acute health and wellness problems that have no specific cause. The term is generally used when the only correlation to a specific illness is the building in which each of the subjects spend a large amount of time.

In most cases, SBS is associated with brand new or newly remodeled buildings, and the cause is generally pinpointed to issues with the building construction. Flaws in such integral systems as heating, air conditioning, and ventilation can wreak havoc on the upper respiratory system. In other cases, it’s associated with some kind of contaminant within the house, including, but not limited to, molds, improper exhaust ventilation, industrial chemicals used for cleaning and repairs, volatile organic compounds, and even some types of building materials.

This particular topic is hotly contested among medical professionals. Many believe that it’s a viable explanation for many unidentifiable sicknesses they see in clinics and hospitals around the world. Others believe that it’s a superstition or mental bias that causes the sickness. Either way, here are some of the most popular theories regarding Sick Building Syndrome.

More Read

domestic violence program
DOVE Program at Northwest Hospital Helps Families Overcome Domestic Violence
Life Coaching: The Hidden Key to Personal Health Upliftment
Feeling Overwhelmed? Try These Alternative Remedies For Anxiety
The Ultimate Pre-Workout for Weight Loss
5 Huge Health & Wellness Trends Emerging In 2021

20 Percent of the Building Must Be Exhibiting Symptoms for It to Be SBS

The American Standards for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) have specific standards regarding the health and wellness of buildings. According to these standards, 20 percent of the occupants within the building must voluntarily claim that they’re experiencing consistent discomforts and symptoms in order for the building and patients to be diagnosed with SBS.

At this point, healthcare professionals have a harder time ignoring the problem. Typically, if the complaints go on for at least two weeks, and the symptoms improve significantly when the occupants are away from the building, the medical professional can conclude that SBS is causing the ailments.

Inadequate Landlord Attention Can Lead to SBS

Often, one of the most common causes of SBS stems from the improper care of a building on the part of a landlord. Failing to keep the building clean and maintained can lead to a lower cost of living and unhealthy tenants. Under the terms of every building contract, landlords must “ensure the property remains both fit and habitable throughout the lease,” says a blog post from Green Residential, property management experts. In addition, the post says that landlords must “stay familiar and up-to-date with local building, safety, and health codes.” Failure to do so can result in a building leading to Sick Building Syndrome.

When working to diagnose SBS in a patient, medical professionals can learn a lot from interviewing the patient about their landlord. Discovering that the landlord is inattentive can also lead to discovering treatment, specifically prompting the patients to talk with their landlord (involving legal help if necessary) about improving the state of the building. In some cases, moving to a building where the landlord takes excellent care of the property will be the best solution.

There Are Several Surprising Treatments for SBS

Moving away from the property isn’t the only solution for SBS, even though that would probably be the most effective. There are actually several treatments that have been shown to reduce the problem and symptoms of SBS, including:

  • Reducing stress and stressors

  • Seeking proper and frequent maintenance of the HVAC and ventilation systems

  • Buying toxin-absorbing plants

  • Increasing the frequency of air exchanges (a minimum of 8.4 is recommended according to ASHRAE)

  • Using weaker chemicals in industrial cleaning products, perhaps switching to household products if possible

  • Vacuuming frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner, which will collect 99.97 percent of particles

  • Repairing roofs and walls to remove problems with mold and other fungi contaminants

Each of these steps will help to both treat and prevent SBS, though it may not be enough. In extreme cases, a thorough inspection and subsequent remodel will be the only effective treatment to rid the building and occupants of the illness.

SBS is becoming more common, as are the solutions for the problem. Just as contractors are working to reduce the number of flaws within the buildings they construct, medical professionals and researchers are working to identify the causes and solutions for SBS in order to present viable treatment options for the cases they encounter.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Home HealthWellness

Healthy Suggestions: Reasons to Start Drinking Lemon Water Today

December 11, 2017

Class Helps People Help Elders

February 28, 2012
ob
Global HealthcareMedical EthicsNewsWellness

Population Health – The Work Has Just Begun

March 31, 2016
Medical EthicsWellness

Using the D Word: Discussing Death and End of Life Care With Patients

October 17, 2017
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?