Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is nothing new, but it became a real problem when fuel prices began to soar in the 70s. Building codes started to change ventilation requirements to save fuel and reduce heating bills for struggling homeowners. Less ventilation means fewer chances for harmful pollutants to escape, and high concentrations of these pollutants can quickly build up inside a building, harming its occupants.
According to the EPA factsheet, indicators of SBS include
- Building occupants complain of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
- The cause of the symptoms is not known.
- Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building
Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
Insufficient ventilation
After the oil embargo in 1973, ventilation requirements per person in a building were drastically reduced and as a result, cases of SBS became quite prevalent all over the U.S. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently revised its ventilation standard to increase the amount of outdoor air allowed in the building, to prevent SBS problems
Chemical Contaminants from Indoor Sources
Most indoor air pollution comes from sources that are present inside the building, including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) present in wood, carpeting, upholstery, paint, etc. Some of these VOC emissions indoors in high concentrations can trigger acute symptoms and some are known carcinogens. VOCs resulting from Combustion products such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide can be lethal in high indoor concentrations. Radon gas in some areas can also be of concern.
Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources.
These include fumes from automobile exhaust pipes from the street or an adjacent garage,
Biological Contaminants
Mold spores and dust mite droppings are the main triggers of indoor allergies in the U.S. Dust mites and mold thrive in humid environments like your basement and crawl space. Insects, rodents, and wildlife droppings, common in vented crawls spaces where they like to nest, can also be a source of biological contaminants. Due to the stack effect, pollutants present in these areas will quickly reach your living space. One third of the air you breathe in your home at any given time, is coming straight from your foundation. Keeping your basement dry, your crawl space sealed and relative humidity levels under control with a good dehumidifier are sure-fire ways to prevent SBS due to biological contamination. And we can help you with that. Give us a call for a free estimate.
