What is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?
First employed in the 1970s, the term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) came about when occupants, of large buildings experienced acute health problems and discomforts that appeared to be linked to time spent in a particular building, but no specific illness or cause could be identified. Generally, specific and nonspecific complaints are involved and typical complaints in addition to the signs and symptoms already listed, may also include eye and/or nasopharyngeal irritation, rhinitis or nasal congestion, inability to concentrate, and general malaise-complaints suggestive of a host of common ailments. The key factors are the commonality of symptoms and absence of symptoms among the building occupants when the individuals are not in the building. The Sick Building Syndrome has been officially recognised by the World Health Organisation.
The term sick building syndrome (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building but no specific illness or cause can be identified. Symptoms include headaches, cough, sore throats, eye irritation, fatigue, fever and nausea. These symptoms usually disappear shortly after leaving the building.
