Sick Building Syndrome

A group of symptoms that are two- to three-fold more common in those who work in large, energy-efficient buildings, associated with an increased frequency of headaches, lethargy, and dry skin. Clinical manifestations include hypersensitivity pneumonitis (ALVEOLITIS, EXTRINSIC ALLERGIC); allergic rhinitis (RHINITIS, ALLERGIC, PERENNIAL); ASTHMA; infections, skin eruptions, and mucous membrane irritation syndromes. Current usage tends to be less restrictive with regard to the type of building and delineation of complaints. (From Segen, Dictionary of Modern Medicine, 1992)

Also Known As:

Networked: 74 relevant articles (3 outcomes, 9 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Inflammation
2.	Hypersensitivity (Allergy)
3.	Persian Gulf Syndrome (Gulf War Syndrome)
4.	Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance)
5.	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)

Experts

1.	Norbäck, Dan: 3 articles (12/2015 - 10/2008)
2.	Nordström, Klas: 2 articles (02/2013 - 10/2008)
3.	Wieslander, Gunilla: 2 articles (02/2013 - 07/2012)
4.	Gislason, Thorarinn: 2 articles (02/2013 - 07/2012)
5.	Norback, Dan: 2 articles (02/2013 - 07/2012)
6.	Janson, Christer: 2 articles (02/2013 - 07/2012)
7.	Sahlberg, Bo: 2 articles (02/2013 - 07/2012)
8.	Kishi, Reiko: 2 articles (02/2012 - 09/2009)
9.	Takigawa, Tomoko: 2 articles (02/2012 - 09/2009)
10.	Nagai, Hiroichi: 2 articles (01/2012 - 06/2011)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Sick Building Syndrome:

1.	Biological Markers (Surrogate Marker)IBA 07/15/2012 - "We studied associations between dampness and indoor moulds in workplace buildings and selected biomarkers as well as incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS). " 10/01/1997 - ""Sick building syndrome" is a pseudodiagnosis composed of nonspecific, transient symptoms without proven biologic markers. " 08/01/2012 - "We examined the associations between biomarkers of allergy and inflammation, indoor environment in dwellings, and incidence and remission of symptoms included in the sick building syndrome (SBS) and changes in the home environment of 452 adults who were followed from 1992 to 2002 within the Uppsala part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS). " 07/15/2012 - "Dampness and moulds in workplace buildings: associations with incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS) and biomarkers of inflammation in a 10 year follow-up study."
2.	MycotoxinsIBA 10/01/2009 - "The following is a review of some of the work we have done since 2004 regarding the importance of molds and their mycotoxins in the phenomenon of sick building syndrome (SBS). " 10/01/2009 - "Molds, mycotoxins, and sick building syndrome." 01/01/2006 - "The development of a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of 16 mycotoxins possibly related to the 'Sick Building Syndrome' on filters and in fungal cultures is described. " 07/01/2004 - "Activation of this receptor by certain mycotoxins may account for some cases of sick building syndrome, a frequent precursor of MCS. " 07/01/2004 - "chartarum produces mycotoxins that are thought to produce some of the symptoms reported in sick-building syndrome (SBS). "
3.	antineoplaston A10 (A 10)IBA 07/15/2012 - "Dampness and moulds in workplace buildings: associations with incidence and remission of sick building syndrome (SBS) and biomarkers of inflammation in a 10 year follow-up study."
4.	chlorine dioxide (Alcide)IBA 09/01/2005 - "The efficacy of chlorine dioxide gas as a fumigation treatment for inactivating sick building syndrome-related fungi and their mycotoxins was evaluated. " 09/01/2005 - "Effect of chlorine dioxide gas on fungi and mycotoxins associated with sick building syndrome."
5.	Carbon MonoxideIBA 02/01/2013 - "To study the effects of a CO(2) demand-controlled ventilation system (variable flow) in computer classrooms on perceived air quality and sick building syndrome. " 10/01/2008 - "Sick building syndrome in relation to air exchange rate, CO(2), room temperature and relative air humidity in university computer classrooms: an experimental study." 12/01/1997 - "We found an incremental trend in prevalence of sick building syndrome among office workers who reported high levels of physical and mental stress, and decreasing climate of co-operation. " 01/01/2012 - "This study attempted to determine whether any association exists between sick building syndrome (SBS) and indoor carbon dioxide (CO(2)) concentrations. "
6.	Carbon DioxideIBA 12/01/1999 - "About half of the carbon dioxide studies suggest that the risk of sick building syndrome symptoms continued to decrease significantly with decreasing carbon dioxide concentrations below 800 ppm. The ventilation studies reported relative risks of 1.5-2 for respiratory illnesses and 1.1-6 for sick building syndrome symptoms for low compared to high low ventilation rates." 01/01/2012 - "Office workers' sick building syndrome and indoor carbon dioxide concentrations." 06/01/2004 - "Adequate ventilation has the potential to mitigate concentrations of chemical pollutants, particles, carbon dioxide, and odors in portable and traditional classrooms, which should lead to a reduction in reported health outcomes, e.g., symptoms of 'sick building syndrome', allergies, asthma. " 01/01/2012 - "This study attempted to determine whether any association exists between sick building syndrome (SBS) and indoor carbon dioxide (CO(2)) concentrations. "
7.	Formaldehyde (Formol)FDA Link 08/01/2014 - "Gas response characteristics were examined for formaldehyde (HCHO) gas which was known as the cause of sick building syndrome. " 01/01/2012 - "Formaldehyde (FA) is irritating to the skin and is the main cause of sick building syndrome. " 01/01/2009 - "Formaldehyde (FA) is a type of major volatile organic chemical (VOC) present in indoor air, and a constituent known to be associated with sick building syndrome. " 01/14/2008 - "Therefore, formaldehyde has been considered as the most prevalent cause of sick building syndrome, which has become a major social problem, especially in developing urban areas. " 06/01/2006 - "Formaldehyde (FA) is known as a low molecule weight organic compound and one of major components that causes sick building syndrome (SBS), and it has been reported that FA has cytotoxic, hemotoxic, immunotoxic, and genotoxic properties. "
8.	Volatile Organic CompoundsIBA 04/01/1991 - "This study suggests that the sick building syndrome may have specific environmental causes, including lighting and volatile organic compounds." 01/01/2015 - "Some Scandinavian experts had hypothesized that mold volatile organic compounds (VOCs) might be the fungal metabolites to blame for sick building syndrome and the time in my smelly, mold infested home made me think they might be right. " 01/01/2014 - "High levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known as causes of sick building syndrome. " 06/01/2011 - "Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered the main cause of sick building syndrome and they are likely to irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membrane; however, the toxic threshold and the mechanisms of cutaneous reaction induced by long-time VOC exposure have not been clarified. " 04/01/2007 - "Case study of volatile organic compounds in indoor air of a house before and after repair where sick building syndrome occurred."
9.	PlasticizersIBA 01/01/2004 - "Allergies, airway infections and sick building syndrome are associated with, e.g., "dampness", a low ventilation rate, and plasticizers. " 02/01/2013 - "There are few studies on associations between airborne microbial exposure, formaldehyde, plasticizers in dwellings and the symptoms compatible with the sick building syndrome (SBS). " 02/01/2013 - "Airborne molds and bacteria, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOC), plasticizers and formaldehyde in dwellings in three North European cities in relation to sick building syndrome (SBS)."
10.	Nitric Oxide (Nitrogen Monoxide)FDA Link 12/01/2015 - "There are few studies on sick building syndrome (SBS) including clinical measurements for atopy and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). " 12/01/2015 - "Sick building syndrome (SBS) among office workers in a Malaysian university--Associations with atopy, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and the office environment."

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Breast Implants (Breast Implant) 05/01/2004 - "Among them are nonepileptic seizures, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, Persian Gulf War unexplained illnesses, toxic mold and sick building syndrome, and silicone breast implant disease. " 06/01/1999 - "These syndromes include multiple chemical sensitivity, the sick building syndrome, repetition stress injury, the side effects of silicone breast implants, the Gulf War syndrome, chronic whiplash, the chronic fatigue syndrome, the irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. "
2.	Artificial Respiration (Mechanical Ventilation) 03/01/1996 - "The results show that it is possible to diminish the prevalence of symptoms associated with the sick building syndrome among office workers occupying a building with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and sealed windows." 12/08/1984 - "Random samples or the entire workforce in nine offices in which similar clerical work was being performed were studied using a doctor administered questionnaire that inquired into symptoms that have been linked with the "sick building syndrome." Five of the offices were fully air conditioned, one had recirculation of air and mechanical ventilation, and three were naturally ventilated. "
3.	Semiconductors 08/01/2013 - "Thick film semiconductor gas sensors based on aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) with nanoparticle size were fabricated to detect volatile organic compound (VOC) existed in building, especially, formaldehyde (HCHO) gas which was known as the cause of sick building syndrome. "
4.	Day Care (Partial Hospitalization) 05/01/1997 - "Also, Aspergillus was associated strongly with work-related sick building syndrome in the day-care-center workers." 05/01/1997 - "We found a significant relationship between dampness and work-related sick building syndrome in the day-care-center workers. " 05/01/1997 - "Indoor pollution and sick building syndrome symptoms among workers in day-care centers."