Sick Building Syndrome Research Articles

Evaluation of indoor air pollutants and new buildings’ solutions to reduce them: literature review and fundamentals

During the past few decades various symptoms and illnesses have been increasingly attributed to nonindustrial indoor environments. In general, indoor exposure to noxious chemical, physical, and biological hazards occur at low levels, however, such indoors exposition are very common (Seltzer, 1994: pp. 318-326). Symptoms such as drowsiness, headache, fatigue, burning eyes and breathing difficulties are signs that could indicate a high percentage of pollutants in the indoor environment, although we often tend to attribute them to other causes. This phenomenon which causes disease is called - sick building syndrome - (SBS) and it is a growing problem (Carrie A Redlich, 1997: pp. 1013-1016). SBS has been reported with increasing frequency since the 1970s, as older, naturally ventilated buildings have been replaced by more energy efficient, “airtight” buildings. SBS was frequently associated with workplaces, where the employees work together and spend most of their time. However, in this pandemic and post-pandemic situation, the smart working, and the greater crowding of living spaces, could cause this problem to arise even in private homes. Now, in the framework of COVID, it has become even more necessary to look closely at the quality of the air in homes. Indeed we spend more and more time inside enclosed and shared places, where the air can be much more polluted than outside. At home and office, we are surrounded, and we daily breathe dangerous but invisible substances, which penetrate our body without being noticed. In order to propose the best house's construction and rebuilding solutions, this review considers the contamination sources that can cause diseases in the house's environment. The innovative approach, based on the complexity of the problem, it focuses attention about the different factors in order to reduce the indoor air pollutions. Finally, having identified the factors that play a significant role in environmental indoor house's contamination, a clear picture should emerge to draw conclusions and propose the best buildings solutions. Based on the complexity of the problem and the need for interdisciplinary research.

The Implications of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) on Students’ Productivity in Hostel Buildings

In recent years, sick building syndrome (SBS) has emerged as a major issue across Asia. The aim of this study is to investigate associations between the SBS and its implication towards students' well-being and productivity in four (4) hostel buildings in Taiping, Perak. Four hundred (n = 400) questionnaires were distributed on purpose to the students as part of a quantitative research design. The most significant effect of Sick Building Syndrome on pupils is a disruption of their ability to concentrate in the classroom. Symptoms such as fatigue and drowsiness, dizziness, sore throat, and dryness are the most common ones that students experience when residing in hostels. Totally, 61% reported being unable to concentrate on their studies, 38% are unhealthy and inactive in the hostel, and 19% do not get enough sleep. This research is important for students, researchers, educational institutions, and society as it addresses the prevalence of SBS symptoms in building environments. Its findings can contribute to creating healthier and more productive living conditions for students.

Evidence of Unrecognized Indoor Exposure to Toxic Chlorophenols and Odorous Chloroanisoles in Denmark, Finland, and Norway

Production and use of chlorophenols (CPs) are being phased out around the globe, but with considerable lag in some highly populated countries. The process could be incentivized by leading countries sharing their experiences on problems that occurred, including the built environment. We previously reported that Swedish industry and authorities promoted CPs, including pentachlorophenol (PCP), as wood preservatives in buildings for decades. Yet, Swedish indoor research did not recognize exposure to the hazardous CPs and their odor potent derivatives, the chloroanisoles (CAs), which smell like mold and still evolve from legacy preservatives in damp building structures. We hypothesized that the toxic CPs and odorous CAs could be key players for health and odor problems not only in Sweden but also in the neighboring Nordic countries. We found no reports in scientific medical literature of CPs being used in buildings in these countries. However, grey literature shows that CPs were indeed used, even during building booms, in house exteriors, constructions, and interiors, from the 1950s up to the late 1970s (Denmark) and even the 1990s (Finland and Norway). One application of CPs was in houses erected on dampness-prone house foundations, conditions ideal for formation of odorous CAs through microbial methylation. Furthermore, our searches suggest that these problematic chemicals played hitherto unrecognized key roles when indoor air research evolved. Thus, odor became an important aspect of the “sick building syndrome” in Denmark and an early warning sign of health risks in Finland, as asthma and allergy were attributed to “dampness and mold.” None of the countries addressed the possible links between odor and health effects and exposure to CAs and CPs. In conclusion, our results suggest that unrecognized indoor exposure to toxic CPs and odorous CAs has mislead Nordic indoor air research for decades.

Literature Review : Hubungan Kualitas Udara Indoor terhadap Kejadian Sick Building Syndrome pada Pekerja Perkantoran

Indoor air quality includes poor physical, chemical and biological quality which can have a negative impact on workers in the form of complaints of health problems or Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). This study aims to analyze the relationship between indoor air quality and the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome in Offices. Article searches were carried out through the journal sites Science Direct, Scopus, Semantic Scholar, Google Scholar, and nature. The selection of articles was carried out with the following criteria: open access full text, publication 2010-2022, articles in English, suitability of the dependent and independent variables. Based on 53 relevant articles, 5 main articles met the criteria and were discussed further in this study. The 5 main articles show the results of the statistical test p-value 0.05, which means there is a significant relationship between temperature, humidity, bad air such as dusty, stuffy, dry air and bad smell, increased exposure to CO2, ventilation quality, and light intensity with the incidence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in office workers which includes sneezing, skin redness, eye pain, sore eyes and itchy eyes, dizziness, headache, nausea, nose irritation, dry throat, dyspnea, bad taste, feeling unwell, sneezing, bad mood, motivation, and concentration problems.

A urinary biomarker for monitoring exposures to 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate in rats.

2,2,4-Trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (TMPD-MB) and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate (TMPD-DB) are widely used primarily as surface stabilizers for water-based paints and plasticizers, respectively. Exposure to these compounds has been suspected as being associated with sick building syndrome and allergic diseases such as asthma in general populations. Therefore, it is very important to be able to know the amounts of these compounds absorbed into the body in order to evaluate its adverse effects on humans in living environments. In the present study, the urinary excretion kinetics of TMPD-MB and TMPD-DB were studied in animals to establish for urinary metabolites suitable as biomarkers for monitoring exposure. A single dose (48-750mg/kg body weight) of TMPD-MB or TMPD-DB was administered intraperitoneally to male Sprague-Dawley rats, and their urine was collected periodically for a week. Two major metabolites, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD) and 3-hydroxy-2,2,4-trimethylvaleric acid (HTMV), were measured in the urine samples. Their kinetics were evaluated by moment analysis of the urinary excretion rates of the metabolites versus time curves. The urinary excretion amounts of HTMV were suggested to be proportional to the absorption amounts over a wide exposure range of both TMPD-MB and TMPD-DB. The amounts of HTMV accounted for almost the same level, i.e., 4-5% of the dose at the lowest dosage, in rats tested for both TMPD-MB and TMPD-DB. Urinary HTMV was considered to be an optimal biomarker for monitoring exposure to mixtures of these compounds.

A Sustainable Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Approach through Potable Living Wall for Closed Confined Spaces: A Way Forward to Fight Covid19

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly influenced various aspects of life, part of which has consequently paved the way toward improvements in building design criteria, especially for closed confined spaces. The closed confined spaces are directly proportional to the quantity and quality of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the atmosphere, from which human beings breathe. In managing the impact produced by VOCs, a practical, sustainable, economical and environmentally friendly concept of indoor living walls has become a prominent feature for improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) of closed confined spaces to efficiently reduce sick building syndrome (SBS) factors. In modification of common practice of ventilation systems, living wall technology leverages the natural ability of plants to purify indoor air quality by reducing air pollutants and allows the recycling of indoor air and the creation of a productive and inspiring environment. In this paper, the concept of a portable living wall through the use of a native plant species locally available in Sindh, Pakistan is introduced. Herein, the portable living concept was assessed by means of the design, construction, and data collection (testing and monitoring) of various environmental parameters carried out before and after the installation of the living wall. The study was monitored for 90 days, and analyses for various types of air pollutants were carried out in the environmental laboratory. During the monitoring period, the parameters humidity, VOCs, hazardous chemicals of concern (HCOC), CO2 and CO showed reductions in their values, with changes observed ranging from 61.5 to 58%, 0.66 to 0.01 ppm, 0.2 to 0.01 ppm, 1070 to 528 ppm and 0.2 to 0.01 ppm, respectively. The outcomes showed noticeable changes in air pollutants coupled with reductions in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy consumption by up to 25%, mainly due to limited air requirements for ventilation.

The potential of high-performance workplaces for boosting worker productivity, health, and creativity: A comparison between WELL and non-WELL certified environments

Although there is abundance of research on Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) in offices, aspects beyond IEQ that can affect occupants’ satisfaction and performance are not well understood. Additionally, rapid adaptation of certification schemes and scarcity of evidence in evaluating if the workplaces with these schemes outperform other workplaces necessitate research in this area. In this study, a total of 1403 Post-Occupancy Evaluation surveys from 14 open-plan offices (10 WELL-certified and 4 uncertified) in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong were analysed. Key drivers of productivity, creativity, and health were investigated. Satisfaction with visual privacy and access to the outdoor environment emerged as key predictors for productivity, and layout and interior design was the main predictor for creativity. Organizational aspects were the key drivers for mental health; privacy and IEQ for physical health; and privacy and connection to the outdoor environment for overall health. The five offices that achieved the highest satisfaction in layout and interior design, IEQ, privacy and connection to the outdoor environment, and organizational aspects were all WELL certified, so a comparison was conducted between WELL and non-WELL offices. Satisfaction with the physical configuration of the space and organizational aspects were generally higher in WELL-certified offices. There were no significant differences in health between WELL and non-WELL offices, however fewer Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) complaints and musculoskeletal discomfort were less reported in WELL offices. More than 20% of respondents were dissatisfied with the physical environment regardless of being WELL or non-WELL certified.

Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Gejala Sick Building Syndrome

Background: Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a syndrome caused by the work environment. SBS is stated as a health problem in the work environment which is related to poor indoor air quality. The Central Java Provincial Health Office building is in the city center so it is an environment prone to air pollution. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence SBS symptoms in Central Java Provincial Health Office employees. Methods: This study uses an analytic study type with a cross-sectional approach. The sample in this study were 73 respondents. The sampling technique used purposive sampling technique. The instruments used were questionnaires and measurements. The data analysis used the chi square statistical test. Results: The results of this study showed that among the 73 respondents there was a relationship between age and SBS symptoms (p=0.020), there was a relationship between gender and SBS symptoms (p=0.010), there was a relationship between years of service and SBS symptoms (p=0.020 ), there was a relationship between room temperature and SBS symptoms (p=0.007), there was a relationship between the number of bacteria and SBS symptoms (p=0.004), there was no relationship between room air humidity and dust levels and SBS symptoms. Conclusion: Age, gender, length of service, and number of bacteria are factors associated with SBS symptoms. In an effort to reduce the risk of SBS symptoms, workers need to relax body muscles, optimize the use of AC, increase AC maintenance, turn off the AC for a moment and open windows periodically.

Application of Dimensionality Reduction and Machine Learning Methods for the Interpretation of Gas Sensor Array Readouts from Mold-Threatened Buildings

Paper is in the scope of moisture-related problems which are connected with mold threat in buildings, sick building syndrome (SBS) as well as application of electronic nose for evaluation of different building envelopes and building materials. The machine learning methods used to analyze multidimensional signals are important components of the e-nose system. These multidimensional signals are derived from a gas sensor array, which, together with instrumentation, constitute the hardware of this system. The accuracy of the classification and the correctness of the classification of mold threat in buildings largely depend on the appropriate selection of the data analysis methods used. This paper proposes a method of data analysis using Principal Component Analysis, metric multidimensional scaling and Kohonen self-organizing map, which are unsupervised machine learning methods, to visualize and reduce the dimensionality of the data. For the final classification of observations and the identification of datasets from gas sensor arrays analyzing air from buildings threatened by mold, as well as from other reference materials, supervised learning methods such as hierarchical cluster analysis, MLP neural network and the random forest method were used.

Sick building syndrome and its impacts on health, well-being and productivity: A systematic literature review

People’s well-being, health and productivity in indoor environments are crucial areas of investigation, particularly concerning sick building syndrome (SBS). Sick building syndrome encompasses symptoms resulting from exposure to harmful factors associated with building use. Headaches, fatigue, malaise and nausea are amongst the complaints associated with SBS. A literature review was conducted, examining studies from Scopus and Web of Science to identify the major impacts of SBS on health, well-being and productivity. Out of 3601 initially identified articles, 134 were analyzed after applying predefined criteria. Three research questions (RQs) were formulated, leading to the following findings: (i) most studies focused on offices (35.48%), highlighting common respiratory symptoms that range from mild to severe based on individual sensitivity, indoor conditions and predictive factors; (ii) indoor air quality (IAQ) emerged as the primary factor influencing SBS, especially within the post-pandemic context. Increasing air circulation and ventilation are viable alternatives to enhance IAQ. (iii) Understanding SBS proves complex, with indications of potentially higher symptom frequencies in women due to historical factors, social roles, lower cold tolerance, limited understanding of female physiology and multiple chemical sensitivity.

Molecular Characteristics, Sources, and Health Risk Assessment of Gaseous Carbonyl Compounds in Residential Indoor and Outdoor Environments in a Megacity of Northwest China

Carbonyl compounds (CCs) in indoor air pose a significant threat to residents’ health and have garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, most studies have focused on low-molecular-weight carbonyl compounds (LMW-CCs) and have underestimated the impact of high-molecular-weight ones (HMW-CCs), causing a failure to comprehensively understand their effects on health. In this study, we analyzed twenty carbonyls in the indoor and outdoor air at typical residential communities in a megacity in Northwest China by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a photodiode array detector (DAD). The total concentration of indoor carbonyls was 1.4-3.4 times that of outdoor carbonyls. In addition, the concentration of indoor carbonyls was much higher during the heating season than that during the nonheating season. Conversely, the concentration of outdoor carbonyls was higher during the nonheating season than that during the heating season. The principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that indoor carbonyl pollution was primarily influenced by building materials, cooking fume, and wooden furniture. Formaldehyde exposure in indoor environments posed a greater health risk to children than acetaldehyde exposure. HMW-CCs were the primary contributors to indoor odor pollution, which was considered a significant cause of sick building syndrome (SBS). Our findings underscore the crucial role of HMW-CCs in indoor environments in exerting adverse impacts on health.

Sick building syndrome in air-conditioned museum

ABSTRACT Exposure to indoor contaminants in air-conditioned buildings can cause serious health effects to their occupants. The failure to control indoor air contaminants is one of the factors that contribute to poor indoor air quality (IAQ) and is a major contributor to sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the maintenance of mechanical ventilation and air conditioning (MVAC) that is installed in museums towards IAQ and SBS. Data were collected through site visits and observations with a combination of field measurements and a questionnaire survey. The field measurements results show that several locations in the museums were in a state of heat discomfort. The recorded measurement of air velocity was very low and the average level of HCHO concentrations are above the permissible level. The correlation test between the satisfaction level of MVAC maintenance on IAQ and SBS also shows significant relationships, indicating that MVAC maintenance in the museum affects the comfort and health of the occupants.

Identification of Physical Factors and Individual Characteristics Affecting The Event of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) In Employees At The Class I Immigration Office of TPI Bandar Lampung

Latar belakang: SBS merupakan kumpulan suatu gejala yang dapat dialami oleh seseorang yang bekerja dalam sebuah gedung. Seseorang dinyatakan mengalami SBS jika memiliki keluhan sebanyak minimal dua atau tiga gejala dari total gejala yang ada (iritasi mata seperti mata pedih, merah atau berair, iritasi tenggorokan, nyeri saat menelan, tenggorokan gatal, bersin, batuk kering, sesak nafas, rasa berat di dada, kulit kering, merah dan gatal, mual, kelelahan, sulit berkonsentrasi, mengantuk, pusing). SBS dapat ditegakkan apabila berbagai keluhan yang ada dirasakan oleh sekitar 20%-50% pengguna suatu gedung, dan keluhan tersebut hilang apabila pekerja meninggalkan gedung.
 Metode: Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian analitik observasional dengan desain cross sectional. Teknik pengambilan sampel yang digunakan adalah total sampling dengan jumlah sampel minimal 63 orang. Pengambilan data dilakukan dengan menggunakan kuesioner MM040EA untuk karakteristik individu dan gejala SBS dan pengukuran secara langsung untuk faktor fisik. Analisis data menggunakan uji chi square dan uji regresi logistik.
 Hasil: Berdasarkan data diperoleh nilai p value dari masing-masing variabel yang menyatakan suatu hubungan yaitu jenis kelamin (0,102), usia (0,028), lama kerja (0,002), kebiasaan merokok (0,006), kondisi psikososial (0,007), laju aliran udara (0,029), pencahayaan (0,042). Hasil uji analisis multivariat menunjukkan bahwa variabel lama kerja merupakan faktor yang paling dominan terhadap SBS dengan nilai p value (0,015).
 Kesimpulan: Variabel yang mempengaruhi kejadian SBS adalah usia, lama kerja, kebiasaan merokok, kondisi psikososial, laju aliran udara, pencahayaan dan variabel yang paling dominan berpengaruh adalah lama kerja.

Factors related to the sick building syndrome in a health care institution

Introducción: el síndrome del edificio enfermo (SEE) ha sido descrito como una afección de salud que sufren los trabajadores debido a factores de riesgo físicos, químicos, biológicos y psicosociales del entorno laboral. Su origen es multifactorial y sus síntomas desaparecen cuando el trabajador abandona el edificio. En Colombia no existe un instrumento para su diagnóstico. Objetivo: determinar la presencia del síndrome de edificio enfermo e identificar los factores asociados en las instalaciones de una institución prestadora de servicios de salud. Métodos: se aplicó la encuesta de la Norma Técnica de Prevención 290 (Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, adscrito al Ministerio de Trabajo y Asuntos Sociales de España) a 130 trabajadores administrativos. Resultados: los resultados mostraron la presencia del SEE y se identificó como síntoma más prevalente el dolor de espalda. De acuerdo con los análisis estadísticos, los factores de riesgo asociados fueron físicos y múltiples factores psicosociales relacionados con la organización, por lo que se sugiere fortalecer este aspecto. Conclusiones: a diferencia de estudios similares, el porcentaje de la presencia de síntomas respiratorios, oculares y relacionados con alergias fue menor al 20 %, esto podría ser explicado por las condiciones de bioseguridad y aislamiento debidas al programa de mitigación de la COVID-19, por lo cual es aconsejable seguir manteniendo estas condiciones y realizar un estudio más profundo sobre el origen de los síntomas destacados.

Health risks associated with the production and usage of charcoal: a systematic review

Charcoal production and utilisation are linked to various health issues and occupational hazards. However, to our knowledge, no systematic review has primarily focused on the health implications of charcoal production...

Effects of indoor temperature on office workers’ performance: an experimental study based on subjective assessments, neurobehavioral tests, and physiological measurements

Indoor temperature has a critical impact on the performance of office workers. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of indoor temperature on work performance through subjective assessments, neurobehavioral tests, and physiological measurements. The experiment was conducted in a controlled office environment. Under each temperature condition, participants voted on their perception of thermal sensation, thermal satisfaction, and sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms. Participants were given neurobehavioral tests based on a ten-item task, and their body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation were measured before and after the tests. The study showed that the effect of indoor temperature on the test tasks varied greatly and depended on the task type. The indoor temperature, thermal sensation votes, and body temperature for optimum work performance were 17 °C, −0.57, and 36.4 °C, respectively. Work performance was positively correlated with thermal satisfaction votes and negatively correlated with sleepiness intensity. Practitioner summary: Work performance is closely related to indoor temperature. This study evaluated the effect of indoor temperature on work performance through subjective assessments, neurobehavioral tests, and physiological measurements. The relationships between work performance and indoor temperature, perceived votes, and physiological parameters were established, respectively.

Цитоморфологічні та цитогенетичні характеристики букального епітелію осіб, які мешкають в умовах «хворої будівлі»

The micronucleus test on buccal cells is a sensitive, minimally invasive and quite common method of cytogenetic studies. Aim. Study of cytomorphological and cytogenetic characteristics of the buccal epithelium using the micronucleus test in persons exposed to volatile organic compounds in the conditions of a "sick building". Materials and methods. The condition of the buccal epithelium was studied in 237 residents of apartment buildings and offices who complained of an unpleasant smell in the premises (male – 117, female – 120). Buccal cells were stained with 2.5 % acetoorcein solution and 1 % light green. Microscopy of the preparations was carried out using an optical microscope OPTON Axioskop (Germany) with magnification by oil immersion – x1000. Morphometric analysis of cell parameters and calculation of the percentage ratio of different forms of epitheliocytes was carried out using the Excel program. Calculations of the frequency of formation of micronuclei were carried out according to the order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine dated 13.03.2007 № 116 "On the approval of methodological recommendations: Survey and zoning of the territory according to the degree of influence of anthropogenic factors on the state of environmental objects using cytogenetic methods." Statistical data processing was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0 program (Student's t-test; Mann-Whitney; ANOVA: Tukey; T3-Dunnett), at p ≤ 0.05. Results. Cytomorphological and cytogenetic changes in buccal cells were detected in a wide range of frequencies of 0.3–7.0 ‰; normal cells – 81 %; karyorrhexis and mast cells – 5 %, nuclear doubling and vacuolar dystrophy – 2 %, phagocytosis-apoptosis and absence of a nucleus – 1 %, colonization by microflora – 1 %, micropoison – 0.6 %, multinucleated cells – 0.5 %, protrusion of the nucleus "broken "egg" – 0.5 %, "tongue" nucleus protrusion – 0.3 %. According to the MN-test, it was established that a strong correlation between the parameters of the frequency of MN formation and increasing age (R2 = 0.860) was characteristic of females, however, the degree of correlation was weak among males (R2 = 0.495). It was also established that the maximum rate of formation of micronucleus was observed among males in the age groups of 15–39 years and 65 years and older, and among females – in the age group of 65 years and older. Conclusions. In general, studies confirm that buccal epitheliocytes are sensitive to various exogenous and endogenous factors, which affects the cytomorphological and cytogenetic features of buccal cells, and these features have a rather wide spectrum. Keywords: indoor air, "sick building syndrome", cytogenetic studies, buccal epithelium, micronucleus test.

Якість повітря житлових приміщень як важлива детермінанта здоров’я та пріоритетне завдання у галузі гігієни середовища життєдіяльності людини

According to WHO definition, indoor air quality is an important determinant of human health. Emissions from building materials, furniture, and consumer goods, combustion processes, and infiltration of polluted atmospheric air are considered the main sources of hazardous chemicals and solid pollutants in indoor air. Aim. To conduct an analysis of the results of comprehensive sanitary and hygienic studies of air quality in residential buildings and apartments in order to determine priority chemical pollutants and products of their transformation; justify the need to improve the air quality monitoring system of residential premises taking into account modern WHO recommendations. Materials and Methods. The study of air samples of residential premises was carried out on the basis of the L.I. Medved’s Research Center of Preventive Toxicology, Food and Chemical Safety of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (2000-2015) and Kyiv Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine (2015-2019). A comprehensive toxicological and hygienic assessment of the air in residential premises was carried out based on the appeals of citizens who complained about the unpleasant smell of the air. A total of 123 residential objects (856 samples) were investigated. Applied methods of systematic and comparative analysis, cross-sectional survey method (survey of residents of residential buildings and apartments), sanitary and hygienic methods; sanitary and chemical methods (29 methods according to the institution's accreditation). Statistical data processing was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0.0.0 program (Spearman correlation analysis), with p≤0.05. Results. A high level of chemical air pollution in residential premises, carried out based on citizen complaints, was established. Various external and internal sources of chemical air pollution were determined, in particular by marker pollutants: formaldehyde, phenol, and acetone. It has been established that the cause of their emission into the air is household items (furniture), various construction and finishing materials (polymers), which are used mainly during repair work or in new buildings. A direct positive connection was found between the level of exceeding the maximum permissible limit of marker chemical pollutants and the well-being and health of residents of settlements. Symptoms such as fatigue, cough, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, headaches and dizziness, allergic conditions were most often observed, which determines the urgency of improving the preventive work of primary care doctors ‒ family medicine in the direction of detecting pre-pathological conditions among healthy individuals and especially sensitive contingents (children, teenagers, pregnant women) living in the conditions of a "sick building". Conclusions. The unsatisfactory state of air inside residential premises determines the need to improve the existing system of monitoring the quality of air inside residential premises, in particular, improving methods of sampling and analysis of priority chemical indoor air pollutants to assess the risk of their combined action. Keywords: indoor air, "sick building syndrome", phenol, formaldehyde.

Energy, SBS symptoms, and productivity in Swiss open-space offices: Economic evaluation of standard, actual, and optimum scenarios

The fundamental aspiration of new-generation high-performing buildings is to reduce energy use while securing indoor environmental quality conducive to human health and productivity. However, existing frameworks for identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of buildings are sporadic and limited to a few parameters. Based on two Swiss open-space buildings, this paper demonstrates an economic comparison combining three KPIs: health (represented by sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms), occupants’ productivity (based on the thermal environment and ventilation), and operational energy for heating (based on building simulations using measured inputs). Monetization translated various criteria into the same unit currency and compared them on equal terms. Three scenarios for human- and energy-related performance analysis were actual (considering measured data), standard (using parameters from the national standard), and optimal (maximized productivity). The actual environment in case studies measured in the Fall and Winter seasons was relatively warm, with poor ventilation in one of the two buildings as no mechanical ventilation was on. Therefore, there was some loss of productivity (0.11–0.4%) and SBS symptoms (e.g., dry eyes, fatigue) present in both buildings resulting in up to 2 times the difference between the energy and human costs. The minimum energy costs for the standard scenario indicated that standard settings prioritize energy objectives. Oppositely, energy costs were the highest (47.6–69.6%) in the optimal scenario minimizing the human-related costs but not the weekly SBS symptoms. The analysis presented highlights the conflicting goals when one parameter is prioritized over another one, thus demonstrating the importance of a multi-criteria approach.

Numerical Simulations of Synthetic Ester Hydrolysis in the Indoor Environment.

The hydrolysis of synthetic esters (SEs), including phthalates and adipates, in damp indoor environments can lead to the release of volatile organic compounds implicated in poor air quality and acute health impacts, known as "sick building syndrome" (SBS). We have adapted the multiphase atmospheric chemistry box model, GAMMA, to simulate SE hydrolysis occurring in surface films in the indoor environment, along with multilayer boundary layer mass transfer and ventilation, in order to investigate this phenomenon on a process level. We then applied the model to analyze three scenarios in which hydrolysis has been hypothesized to have a significant impact on indoor air quality. Simulation results suggest that (1) alkaline hydrolysis of bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from PVC flooring on damp surfaces alone is not sufficient to explain the levels of 2-ethylhexanol reported in indoor air during episodes of SBS; (2) acute exposure to 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD) may be of concern during and shortly after the application of latex paint on an alkaline surface; and (3) alkaline hydrolysis of SEs following their airborne uptake in aqueous films is not expected to generate considerable amounts of alcohols associated with SBS.