Understanding Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a term used to describe situations in which occupants of a building experience acute health effects that appear to be linked to time spent in the building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. These symptoms often disappear shortly after leaving the building. It's primarily associated with indoor environmental quality issues, especially related to indoor air pollution.

Analyzing the Options for Sick Building Syndrome

Let's examine each option to understand why one accurately defines Sick Building Syndrome:

• Option 1: when building are very old and about to collapse

  This option describes the structural condition of a building, specifically its age and stability. Sick Building Syndrome is related to the health of the building's occupants, not the physical deterioration or impending collapse of the structure itself. Therefore, this option is incorrect.

• Option 2: of human health due to indoor air pollution

  This option directly links human health problems to indoor air pollution within a building. This aligns perfectly with the definition and common causes of Sick Building Syndrome, where occupants experience symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or respiratory irritation suspected to be caused by contaminants or poor ventilation inside the building.

• Option 3: of fear due to deserted building

  This option describes a psychological reaction (fear) to a specific type of building (deserted). While a deserted building might raise safety concerns or psychological discomfort, it is not related to Sick Building Syndrome, which is characterized by specific physical health symptoms linked to the indoor environment.

• Option 4: of building devoid of any modern amenities

  This option describes the lack of modern facilities in a building. While a lack of amenities might make a building less comfortable or convenient, it does not directly cause the health symptoms associated with Sick Building Syndrome, which stem from environmental factors like air quality, temperature, or lighting.

Why Indoor Air Pollution Causes Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms

Indoor air pollution is a primary suspect in many Sick Building Syndrome cases. Various sources contribute to poor indoor air quality:

• Chemical contaminants from indoor sources (adhesives, upholstery, carpeting, copy machines, pesticides, cleaning agents).
• Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources (motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents) drawn into the building.
• Biological contaminants (bacteria, molds, pollen, viruses) often breeding in standing water found in drain pans, humidifiers, or air conditioners.

Poor ventilation can exacerbate these issues by failing to dilute and remove contaminants effectively, leading to the symptoms characteristic of Sick Building Syndrome.

Common Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Symptoms vary among individuals but often include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Dry or itchy skin
• Sensitivity to odors

These symptoms typically improve or disappear soon after the person leaves the affected building.

Revision Table: Sick Building Syndrome

Additional Information: SBS vs. Building-Related Illness (BRI)

It's important to distinguish Sick Building Syndrome from Building-Related Illness (BRI).

• Sick Building Syndrome (SBS): Symptoms are acute, non-specific (like headache, fatigue), and disappear after leaving the building. No specific disease or cause is identified, although indoor air quality is suspected.
• Building-Related Illness (BRI): Symptoms are specific (e.g., Legionnaires' disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis), clinically identifiable, and linked to specific indoor contaminants (like molds, bacteria). Symptoms do not necessarily disappear after leaving the building.

Both SBS and BRI are related to poor indoor environmental quality, but BRI involves diagnosable illnesses with identifiable causes, unlike the more generalized symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome.