Sick Building Syndrome: How Healthy is Your Office?

Date: 12.05.2011

The problem of indoor air quality first began to gain widespread attention in the 1970s. Although some instances of buildings with rampant environmental problems were discovered in Australia, the incidence of so-called Sick Building Syndrome was relatively minimal here was relatively minimal compared to some other countries in the world, according to a report compiled by the Workplace Services department.

However, although the number of entire buildings that were condemned or had to undergo extensive renovations to alleviate indoor air quality was fairly limited, isolated incidents in one part of a building are far more common. Even today, thousands of air quality failures concentrated in one or more areas of an office building or commercial or industrial structure are reported each year.

Worried that your workspace might be at risk? The potential danger is greatest if you’re situated on or close to an industrial site, if your building is older or has limited ventilation, or if construction or renovation has recently begun on the site.

Symptoms of sick building syndrome and other air-quality-related maladies include:

• Skin dryness or discomfort
• Eye irritation
• Nausea
• Change in appetite
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing
• Respiratory problems
• A sensation of perceiving unusual tastes or smells
• Chest tightness

If you or a co-worker have noticed a pattern of one or more of these symptoms developing over time that isn’t attributable to some other cause, it may be worth it to check into your building’s air quality. Although Sick Building Syndrome is a relatively rare occurrence in Australia these days, indoor air quality is an important consideration for those concerned about workplace health and safety.