It’s called sick building syndrome. Google it and you’ll find a plethora of reports, videos, opinion pieces and blogs about how our environment can make us sick. So what is sick building syndrome and how do you know if your building is making you ill? This article serves as an introduction to the topic…
Are Eco-Friendly Builds to Blame?
You may be aware of pollution in the great outdoors – from car exhausts, chemicals, industry and other polluters. But what about indoors? Did you know that the air you breathe inside your home or office could be making you sick? Apparently, many eco-friendly buildings are all sealed up. Poor ventilation and a lack of fresh air may be the culprit, causing workers to fall ill in hospitals, offices, libraries and other premises.
In the US, the Environmental Protection Agency says that one in four new or renovated buildings are ‘sick’. This becomes a problem when workers have to take time off to get better, costing companies billions of dollars each year in plummeting productivity and profitability.
What’s Making You Sick?
It’s said that high rise buildings constructed above car parks and loading docks are the worst culprits. This is because carbon monoxide could enter through air vents or be breathed in by workers taking a break outside the building.
Electrical gear such as printers also send out ozone into the atmosphere, while carpet cleaning products can also hang around. Furthermore, renovations and nearby construction could cause dust and other nasties to linger in the air. When this is combined with sealed windows that can’t be opened, many workplaces become a haven for pollutants.
So if you feel light-headed, have recurring migraines, headaches, sore or irritated eyes, nausea or dizziness, it could be your environment.
Sick Building Syndrome: The Great Unknown
While we know our environment can make us sick, researchers aren’t sure which pollutants to blame. It could also be a combination of poor ventilation, lighting and hours upon hours of staring at a computer screen that makes people sick.
That being said, there are some simple steps you can take to freshen up your indoor environment:
- Leave air vents open
- Smoke away from the building
- Look after indoor plants and dust them regularly
- Remove rubbish regularly to stop nasty odours and contamination
- Always store food properly and clean out the fridge often
- Keep your workspace and eating areas clean to avoid pests and other nasties