Sick building syndrome - is your home or workplace making you ill?

Could your home or workplace be making you ill? Find out about the causes and effects of sick building syndrome and how to prevent it here.

Sick building syndrome - your home
could be harming your health

You might not realise it, but your home or workplace could be making you ill. A combination of poor ventilation and lighting, a lot of electrical equipment and bad building design can all contribute to what the World Health Organisation has termed Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that between 30 and 50% of new or refurbished buildings cause SBS; but older properties can also be to blame. Around 55% of staff in the UK suffer from SBS, says the HSE, and symptoms can be severe – taking a serious toll on health and resulting in a lack of productivity at work.

What are the symptoms of SBS?

According to the HSE, the most common symptoms of SBS are:

• Headaches
• Lethargy and poor concentration
• Skin irritation
• Dry itchy eyes, especially for those who wear contact lenses
• A congested nose and sore throat

As these symptoms can all be attributed to colds and other illnesses, SBS can be hard to diagnose. However, if these symptoms only seem to occur in a particular place and improve or disappear when you leave that environment, then it’s likely that SBS is to blame.

What are the causes of SBS?

There are a number of factors which cause SBS, including one or more of the following:

Air conditioning – many researchers have noted that SBS has become more widespread in the last 20 to 30 years as air conditioning systems have become more common, especially in office environments. Air con systems, as well as mechanical heating and ventilation systems blow dust and bacteria around, which spreads illnesses. This is a particular problem in open-plan offices. If an air con system is incorrectly installed or maintained then bacteria and fungus can build up inside the unit and around fans; these harmful substances are then blown around the building.

Lack of ventilation – as the need for energy efficiency increases, buildings are becoming more airtight to reduce heat loss. Wall and loft insulation and draught proofing will make properties more comfortable but only if coupled with good ventilation.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – VOCs are common in new buildings as we use more chemicals and man-made materials. Paints, adhesives, synthetic carpets, upholstery and cleaning products all contain VOCs which are slowly released over time.

Mould – is a naturally occurring fungus which grows in damp conditions on all types of building surfaces such as window frames, wallpaper, furniture and floors and can spread quickly. Mould can damage the structure and appearance of your home as well as harm your health. Find out more about preventing and removing household mould here.

Lead paint – was used up until the 1960’s before the risks of lead poisoning were known. Although it’s no longer legally used, older homes may still have lead paint in them, which can be dangerous if it starts to degrade – find out more about the risks of lead paint and how to safely remove it here.

Asbestos – was banned for use in building materials in 1999. If disturbed, asbestos gives off fibres which can cause cancer when inhaled and is responsible for around 4,000 deaths a year, says the HSE. It’s essential that you hire a professional to deal with asbestos in your property; get more advice about asbestos surveys and removal here.

Electrical equipment – computers, photocopiers, printers and other electrical devices can give off chemicals which contribute to SBS. Swedish scientists recently discovered that fire-retardant chemicals in computer casing were emitting harmful chemicals when heated up.

Humidity – symptoms of SBS will increase as the temperatures rise. If there’s a lack of humidity the air is drier and dust is more easily circulated.

Lighting – the wrong type of lighting can contribute towards SBS; whether it's too bright or not bright enough for the tasks carried out in that property.

Preventing and curing SBS

To avoid and alleviate the symptoms of SBS, the following steps should be taken:

• Maintain air con, heating and ventilation systems – regular cleaning, servicing and proper installation should be carried out by a professional to make sure air quality remains high.

• Increase air flow – where possible, natural air flow should be encouraged through opening windows, for example. Plants also help to oxidise the air, so having a few of them around is a good idea.

• Regulate humidity levels – the HSE says that there should be an ideal relative humidity of 40 to 70% in a building. This can be achieved with a balance of proper heating and ventilation; it may also help to buy a dehumidifier.

• Create the right temperature – ideally a building temperature of around 20 to 22 degrees is healthy.

• Use correct lighting – make the most of natural light in a building and add in artificial light according to what you need; for example by installing spot lights around mirrors or food preparation areas and lamps at office desks.

• Have your property checked for asbestos and lead paint – eliminating these harmful substances from your property will put your mind at rest and create a safe environment.

• Remove mould – this should be done safely but it’s essential that you first make sure you’ve eliminated the causes of damp, for instance by fixing leaky window frames.

• Use natural products – rather than synthetics and chemical-laden paints and furnishings, choose natural alternatives such as Linoleum flooring, wool insulation and eco-paints.

• Clean regularly – to get rid of dust and germs.