Sick Building Syndrome Research Articles

EFFECT OF EXHAUST FAN TO MICROORGANISM CONCENTRATION IN THE AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM

Specific amounts of bacteria and fungi in the room can cause Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). The main reason for bacteria and fungi accumulation is a lack of air circulation in the air-conditioned room. Therefore, we study exhaust fan usage to microorganism concentration in the air-conditioned room. The objective of this study is to find the optimum exhaust fan running time for reducing microorganism concentration until below the threshold value. The quasi-experiment was using with repeated experiments and non-random methodology. The samples were consisting of four air-conditioned classrooms with six repeated measurements. The sampling instrument used a petri dish filled with NA (Nutrient Agar) and PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) placed at five points in each room. The results showed that the variation of exhaust fan running time sig affected the concentration of bacteria (sig ~0) and fungi (sig 0.023) in the classrooms. We found that exhaust fan can reduce the bacteria concentration. Although we observed that the exhaust fan gives inconsistency effect to reduce the fungi concentration in the classrooms.

Effects of increased humidity on physiological responses, thermal comfort, perceived air quality, and Sick Building Syndrome symptoms at elevated indoor temperatures for subjects in a hot-humid climate.

Recently, studies suggest that the average indoor temperature is typically >30°C and that the maximum temperature can reach 37.5°C in hot-humid areas. However, the effects caused by increasing the humidity at high indoor temperatures are not clear. In this study, twelve female and twelve male subjects were exposed to different operative temperature (26.6, 30.6, and 37.4°C) and relative humidity (50% and 70%) in a climate chamber. Data concerning thermal sensation, perceived air quality, and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) were collected during 190-min-long exposure to each thermal condition. Heart rate, respiration rate, respiratory ventilation rate, mean skin temperature, and eardrum temperature were measured. It was found that increasing the relative humidity from 50% to 70% at 26 and 30°C had no significant effects on the physiological responses, thermal comfort, perceived air quality, or SBS symptoms of the subjects. However, when the temperature was elevated to 37°C, the heart rate, respiration rate, respiratory ventilation rate, mean skin temperature, and eardrum temperature increased significantly as a result of the increase in the relative humidity from 50% to 70%. The subjects felt hotter and more uncomfortable, and they found indoor air quality was more difficult to accept. The subjects are acclimatized to hot environments and more tolerant to heat. Therefore, the results are applicable to the acclimated people living in hot-humid climate.

The use of indoor plant as an alternative strategy to improve indoor air quality in Indonesia.

Indoor air pollution marked with decreased air quality below the set standard. The quality of indoor air is determined by ambient air quality as well as by a harmful substance resulting from the household activity. Indoor air pollution may cause several problems such as sick building syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, and is responsible for nearly two million death in developing countries. One of the interesting research topics to overcome the indoor air pollution problem is the application of indoor plants. Although there are no established criteria to specify the best indoor plant, several studies have revealed the capability of a particular indoor plant to remove the harmful substances. This paper summarizes important information about indoor air pollution and provides the evidence-based insight of indoor plant usefulness as an alternative way for indoor air remediation.

Fungal Volatile Organic Compounds: More Than Just a Funky Smell?

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with industry cause adverse health effects, but less is known about the physiological effects of biologically produced volatiles. This review focuses on the VOCs emitted by fungi, which often have characteristic moldy or "mushroomy" odors. One of the most common fungal VOCs, 1-octen-3-ol, is a semiochemical for many arthropod species and also serves as a developmental hormone for several fungal groups. Other fungal VOCs are flavor components of foods and spirits or are assayed in indirect methods for detecting the presence of mold in stored agricultural produce and water-damaged buildings. Fungal VOCs function as antibiotics as well as defense and plant-growth-promoting agents and have been implicated in a controversial medical condition known as sick building syndrome. In this review, we draw attention to the ubiquity, diversity, and toxicological significance of fungal VOCs as well as some of their ecological roles.

Frequency of Sick Building Syndrome and Its Related Factors in Nurses at Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan City 2018: A Cross-Sectional Study

Frequency of Sick Building Syndrome and Its Related Factors in Nurses at Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Rafsanjan City 2018: A Cross-Sectional Study

Association between indoor microbiome exposure and sick building syndrome (SBS) in junior high schools of Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a collection of nonspecific syndromes linked with the built environment. The occurrence of SBS is associated with humidity, ventilation, moulds and microbial compounds exposure. However, no study has reported the association between indoor microbiome and SBS. In this study, 308 students were surveyed for SBS symptoms from 21 classrooms of 7 junior high schools from Johor Bahru, Malaysia, and vacuum dust from floor, desks and chairs was collected. High throughput amplicon sequencing (16S rRNA gene and ITS region) and quantitative PCR were conducted to characterize the absolute concentration of bacteria and fungi taxa. In total, 326 bacterial and 255 fungal genera were detected in dust with large compositional variation among classrooms. Also, half of these samples showed low compositional similarity to microbiome data deposited in the public database. The number of observed OTUs in Gammaproteobacteria was positively associated with SBS (p = 0.004). Eight microbial genera were associated with SBS (p < 0.01). Bacterial genera, Rhodomicrobium, Scytonema and Microcoleus, were protectively (negatively) associated with ocular and throat symptoms and tiredness, and Izhakiella and an unclassified genus from Euzebyaceae were positively associated with the throat and ocular symptoms. Three fungal genera, Polychaeton, Gympopus and an unclassified genus from Microbotryaceae, were mainly positively associated with tiredness. The associations differed with our previous study in microbial compounds (endotoxin and ergosterol) and SBS in the same population, in which nasal and dermal symptoms were affected. A higher indoor relative humidity and visible dampness or mould in classrooms were associated with a higher concentration of potential risk bacteria and a lower concentration of potential protective bacteria (p < 0.01). This is the first study to characterize the SBS-associated microorganisms in the indoor environment, revealing complex interactions between microbiome, SBS symptoms and environmental characteristics.

Moving to productivity: The benefits of healthy buildings.

Health is a critical factor for the generation of value by workers. Companies bear substantial costs associated with absenteeism and presenteeism among their employees. This study investigates the impact of the environmental conditions in the workplace on the health and job satisfaction of employees, as core factors of productivity. We provide evidence based on a natural experiment, in which 70% of the workforce of a municipality in the Netherlands was relocated to a building with a design focused on sustainability and health and well-being. We construct a longitudinal dataset based on individual surveys of the entire municipality workforce and include measures before and after the move. The estimation results show a significant improvement in the perceived environmental conditions, as well as in the health and well-being of the relocated workers, measured by the drop in incidence of sick building syndrome symptoms. Results are heterogeneous based on age: older groups of employees enjoy larger health impacts. The relocation effects remain persistent in the medium term (two years after the moving date). Importantly, a mediation analysis suggests that the achieved improvements in health and well-being lead to significantly enhanced job satisfaction and a 2% reduction in the prevalence of sick leave.

Microclimate in Rooms Equipped with Decentralized Façade Ventilation Device

Many building are characterized by insufficient air exchange, which may result in the symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS). A large number of existing buildings are equipped with natural ventilation, whose work is disturbed by activities going to energy-saving. The thermomodernization activities are about mounting new sealed windows and laying thermal isolation, which reduces the amount of infiltrating/exfiltrating air. In many cases, the mechanical ventilation cannot be used due to a lack of a place in building or architectural and construction requirements. One of the solutions to improve the indoor microclimate is the decentralized façade ventilation. In the article, the internal air parameters in an office room equipped with decentralized façade ventilation device were analyzed. The room was equipped with a decentralized façade unit, which cyclically supplied and removed air from the room. The time of the supply/exhaust was changed to 2 min, 4 min, and 10 min. The temperature and the humidity of the indoor air and the outdoor air and the concentration of carbon dioxide inside the room were measured. The analysis showed that despite the lack of a heater in the device, the air temperature in the workplace and in the central point of the room was in the range of 20–22 °C. The air humidity was in the range of 27–43%.

Air Quality in Indoor and Characteristics of Workers with Sick Building Syndrome at Mall

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) was a healthproblem that caused by air polution, indoor air quality and a bad ventilation. In around the world,2.7 milions of people were dead because air polution in the room and this air polution source from ventilation (52%), tools in the room (17 %), outside the room (11%), the building material (3%), microorganism (5%) and others (12%). Mall was a public place with a close ventilation so it can influence the air quality and being the risk of SBS.The aim of this research was looking for correlation between air quality in the room and the characteristics of workerswith sick building syndrome (SBS).This research was an analytic with cross sectional design. The population was all of the workerwith 36 sample workers.Data analysis used univariat and bivariat.Result of this research showed the variabelswhich had correlationwith sick building syndrome are humidity, wind velocity, light intensity, age, and gender. The variables that had no correlation with sick building syndrome are temperature, microorganism quantity, duration of work and period of work.

A long-term multi-parametric monitoring study: Indoor air quality (IAQ) and the sources of the pollutants, prevalence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms, and respiratory health indicators

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause several respiratory diseases and symptoms. In this study, IAQ of 121 homes located in 3 different towns of Çanakkale, Turkey was monitored throughout a year. Target air pollutants were particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bioaerosols, and Carbon dioxide (CO2), as well as air temperature and humidity. Moreover, pulmonary functions of the occupants were measured on a monthly basis. Also, occurrence of sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms and other health related data were gathered from the occupants by a detailed questionnaire. The SBS is a situation related to indoor air pollution in which the occupants of a building experience health or comfort related adverse effects that appear to be associated directly to the time spent in the “sick” building. Results of this study showed that the highest indoor air pollutant levels were observed in Çan town and the lowest levels were observed in Central town. Indoor levels of bioaerosols, particulate matter, benzene, Cladosporium spp., and Penicillium spp. as well as pulmonary functions of the occupants showed statistically significant differences between the locations of the homes (p < 0.001). Factor analysis implied that both indoor and outdoor originated sources contributed to IAQ. Even though the predominant SBS symptoms varied seasonally and spatially among the study sites, fatigue, cold-flu like symptoms, and difficulty in concentration occurred frequently. Correlations were found among the occurrence of SBS symptoms, measured IAQ parameters, and personal factors (p < 0.05). Performing more studies from the health and IAQ points of view improve public awareness.

Green hospital - A necessity and not option

Green hospital - A necessity and not option - JMRA- Print ISSN No: - 2394-2762 Online ISSN No:- 2394-2770 Article DOI No:- 10.18231/j.jmra.2020.010, Journal of Management Research and Analysis-J Manag Res Anal

Lifestyle behaviors and home and school environment in association with sick building syndrome among elementary school children: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundSick building syndrome (SBS) refers to the combination of symptoms experienced by occupants of specific building characteristics. This study investigated the associations of children’s lifestyle behaviors, allergies, home, and school environment with SBS symptoms.MethodsA total of 4408 elementary school children living in Sapporo City, Japan participated in this study. SBS was determined on parental answers to MM080 standardized school questionnaires on symptoms that were weekly experienced by these children, and if the symptom is attributed to their home or school environment. The Japanese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess wheeze, rhino-conjunctivitis, and eczema. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between SBS symptoms and variables by controlling the potential confounders (gender, grade, school, and parental history of allergies). A stepwise backward elimination was conducted to assess independent variables related to SBS.ResultsParticipants revealed mucosal (6.9%), skin (2.0%), and general (0.8%) symptoms. The presence of one or more allergy was associated with increased mucosal and skin symptoms. Children who skipped breakfast, displayed faddiness (like/dislike of food), had constipation, have insufficient sleep, did not feel refreshed after sleep, and lacked deep sleep showed significantly high odds ratios with SBS symptoms. The stepwise analysis showed faddiness for mucosal symptoms and not feeling refreshed after sleep for mucosal and skin symptoms, whereas constipation and lacking deep sleep for general symptoms were independent variables in increasing the symptoms. We found no significant relationship between SBS in children and schools. Considering children’s home, old building, no ventilation, wall-to-wall carpet, and heavy nearby traffic were associated with elevated mucosal symptom, while living in a multifamily home increased general symptoms. Home dampness was an independent variable in increasing all SBS symptoms.ConclusionsAllergies and lifestyle behaviors were associated with increased SBS in children, including skipping breakfast, displaying faddiness, constipation, insufficient sleep, not feeling refreshed after sleep, and the lack of deep sleep. Further, dampness at home was associated with increase in all SBS symptoms. Lifestyle (e.g., eating and sleeping habits) and home (i.e., dampness) improvements might alleviate SBS symptoms in children.

Indoor air quality and sick building syndrome in a university setting: a case study in Greece

ABSTRACT The perceived Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), the prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms and its contributing risk factors were assessed in a university during the period of the economic crisis in Greece. Data was collected from 613 employees via questionnaires. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed. The most prevalent perceived IAQ complaints were ‘Dust and dirt’ (63.2%), ‘Room temperature too low’ (24.9%) and ‘Varying room temperature’ (24.4%). The most frequently reported SBS symptom was ‘Fatigue’ (34.1%). The prevalence of General, Mucosal and Dermal symptoms was 40.8%, 19.8% and 8.1%, respectively. Several contributing risk factors were identified, such as IAQ Discomfort Scale, atopy, sleep problems, female, exposure to biological and chemical agents, PC-use, Psychosocial Work Scale and job satisfaction. Poor perceived IAQ and high prevalence of SBS symptoms were reported from the university staff in a temperate climate country. SBS seemed to be multifactorial.

COVID-19 pandemic and sick building syndrome

COVID-19 pandemic and sick building syndrome

Association between human health and indoor air pollution in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: a review.

Studies on the assessment of indoor air pollutants in terms of concentration and characterization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been recently carried out. This review assesses the health effects associated with indoor air pollution exposures in GCC, including other air pollutants (siloxanes, flame retardants, synthetic phenolic antioxidants) which were not explored in a previous study. In addition, the influence of ventilation conditions due to different indoor environments was also investigated. It was revealed that there is a lack of human health assessment studies on most indoor air pollutants in almost all GCC countries, except the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, where few attempts were made for some specific pollutants. Commonly reported plausible health effects potentially associated with indoor air pollution were related to respiratory symptoms and sick building syndrome (SBS). Many of the current health assessment studies in GCC countries were based on predictions and/or estimates of exposures rather than clinically based observational studies. Measured ventilation levels and indoor air velocities in most buildings failed to meet the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) threshold limits of 8 L/s/p and 0.18-0.25 m/s, respectively. Additionally, limited studies have investigated respiratory symptoms and SBS potentially attributable to poor ventilation in the region. It is highly recommended that future indoor air quality (IAQ) studies in GCC should focus more on epidemiologic and intervention studies.

The Roles of Autoimmunity and Biotoxicosis in Sick Building Syndrome as a "Starting Point" for Irreversible Dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome.

Background: The terminology of “sick building syndrome” (SBS), meaning that a person may feel sick in a certain building, but when leaving the building, the symptoms will reverse, is imprecise. Many different environmental hazards may cause the feeling of sickness, such as high indoor air velocity, elevated noise, low or high humidity, vapors or dust. The Aim: To describe SBS in connection with exposure to indoor air dampness microbiota (DM). Methods: A search through Medline/Pubmed. Results and Conclusions: Chronic course of SBS may be avoided. By contrast, persistent or cumulative exposure to DM may make SBS potentially life-threatening and lead to irreversible dampness and mold hypersensitivity syndrome (DMHS). The corner feature of DMHS is acquired by dysregulation of the immune system in the direction of hypersensitivities (types I–IV) and simultaneous deprivation of immunity that manifests as increased susceptibility to infections. DMHS is a systemic low-grade inflammation and a biotoxicosis. There is already some evidence that DMHS may be linked to autoimmunity. Autoantibodies towards, e.g., myelin basic protein, myelin-associated glycoprotein, ganglioside GM1, smooth muscle cells and antinuclear autoantibodies were reported in mold-related illness. DMHS is also a mitochondropathy and endocrinopathy. The association of autoimmunity with DMHS should be confirmed through cohort studies preferably using chip-based technology.

Indoor air quality and self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity in newly constructed apartments in Indonesia

There is a possibility that sick building syndrome has already spread widely among newly constructed residential buildings in developing countries. This study investigates the current conditions of IAQ and their effects on health among occupants in two representative types of residential buildings in Jakarta and Surabaya: high-rise apartments and traditional landed houses. A total of 707 respondents were interviewed and 125 rooms were measured during 2017–2018. The results indicated that approximately 40–50% of the respondents in the newly constructed apartments showed some degrees of MCS risk. Formaldehyde and TVOC concentrations in apartments were especially critical. Furthermore, the respondents with a higher MCS risk were found to be exposed to increased TVOC concentrations in the apartments. Other than the IAQ, higher levels of stress are probably one of the most influential factors, followed by gender (females), occupation, window-opening, frequency of cleaning, the prevalence of allergic diseases and possession of AC.

Antifungal Activity of Selected Malaysia’s Local Medicinal Plants Against Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) Fungi

Antifungal Activity of Selected Malaysia’s Local Medicinal Plants Against Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) Fungi

Indoor biological particles in a train: comparative analysis with outdoor atmosphere

Biological pollution directly affects our health and quality of life. In urban areas, people spend most time in indoor environments including means of transports where can be exposed to pollution sick building syndrome. Despite the importance of this issue, studies on the biological particles exposure in indoor transports are scarce and poorly documented. This study characterizes by using volumetric Hirst traps of the indoor pollen and fungal spore content of the indoor air of a daily crowed train connecting Cordoba city (South Spain) with the university campus. Results were compared with outdoor concentrations sampled at the same time. Twenty-three pollen types were identified indoor and 20 outdoor. Quercus, Olea, Platanus, Morus and Cupressus were the most abundant. Thirteen fungal spore types were identified by both indoor and outdoor samplings. Our results pointed out Cladosporium cladosporoides, Cladosporium herbarum, Coprinus, Alternaria and Torula as the most abundant ones. Outdoor levels of both particles were higher; nevertheless, occasionally indoor concentrations overcame indoor ones, overall pollen records at days after rainfall periods. Even pollen season of some taxa (i.e. Platanus, Urticaceae) extended inside lasting more days than outside. Results indicate as the closed transport can act as biological pollution reservoir which could have consequences on the incidence of passengers’ health.

Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort: An investigation in office buildings in Hanoi, Danang and Ho Chi Minh City

Thermal comfort and air quality are basic factors of indoor environment. In office buildings, poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and low thermal comfort level may negatively affect occupants’ health and performance and eventually causes Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). In this research, the IAQ and thermal comfort were examined at a number of office buildings in the three Vietnamese cities of Hanoi (North), Danang (Central) and Ho Chi Minh City (South), which aims to assess the quality of indoor environment of office buildings in Vietnam. The results showed that the design and operation scheme play an important role for the achievement of the indoor air quality and thermal comfort. The collected data from field measurement and survey are expected to be concrete scientific basis for the revision of current standards and development of new standards in air quality of office buildings