Sick Building Syndrome: Spot Symptoms & Fix It Fast

Ever walked out of an office feeling like your brain is in a fog, your eyes are burning, and you just can't shake that itchy throat? Chances are you've bumped into sick building syndrome (often shortened to SBS). It's not a mysterious diseaseit's a collection of annoying, sometimes scary, health complaints that vanish the moment you step outside the building where they started.

Why does this matter? Because those symptoms can chip away at your focus, lower your productivity, and turn a place you spend most of your day into a hidden health hazard. Below, I'll walk you through the telltale signs, the sneaky culprits behind them, and the practical steps you can takewhether you're a worker, a manager, or a curious homeowner.

Recognising Symptoms

Common physical symptoms

People with SBS often report a mix of the following whenever they're inside the problematic space:

• Persistent headaches or a feeling of pressure behind the eyes
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or a vague "brainfog"
• Dry, sore throat, itchy eyes, or runny nose
• Unexplained coughing, wheezing, or a tight chest
• Fatigue that doesn't improve after a good night's sleep
• Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or mood swings

These complaints are usually nonspecificmeaning they can look like a cold, allergies, or even stress. The key is that they improve when you leave the building and return when you come back.

How to spot a pattern

Grab a notebook (or your phone's notes app) and log how you feel at three moments:

1. When you first arrive at work or enter a room
2. Midday after a few hours inside
3. After stepping outside for a break or at the end of the day

If symptoms flare up the longer you stay and subside quickly once you're out, you've got a classic SBS pattern. Below is a quick checklist you can copypaste:

Symptom	Appears inside?	Improves outside?
Headache
Itchy eyes
Fatigue
Cough

Red flags that need a professional

While most SBS cases settle once the environment is fixed, some signs warrant a medical or occupationalhealth evaluation:

• Symptoms persist even after you leave the building for several days
• You have severe shortness of breath, wheezing, or asthma attacks
• Allergic reactions (hives, swelling) that seem triggered by indoor air
• Recurring infections or chronic sinus problems

If any of these apply, talk to a doctor and let your employer know you need a professional indoorair assessment.

Root Causes

Inadequate ventilation

Fresh air is the lungs of a building. When a system can't bring in enough outside airor when filters are cloggedpollutants accumulate. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and AirConditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends at least 15cfm (cubic feet per minute) per person. Anything less and you're essentially breathing the same stale air over and over. The EPA explains why ventilation matters.

Chemical contaminants

Think about the countless sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a modern office: freshlyinstalled carpet, glossy paint, cleaning sprays, copymachine toner, even the "green" office furniture that isn't truly green. Formaldehyde, benzene, toluenethese chemicals can irritate eyes, nose, and throat, and raise the risk of headaches.

Biological contaminants

Moisture loves to hide in HVAC ducts, ceiling tiles, and carpet backing. When humidity sits above 60%, mold and bacteria can flourish, releasing spores that trigger allergic reactions and the dreaded "musty" smell. Mold exposure symptoms often overlap with SBS, making it hard to differentiate without testing.

Physical & psychosocial factors

Fluorescent lighting that flickers, temperature swings from 18C to 24C, loud HVAC fans, or cramped desks can all add to the stress load. The World Health Organization notes that stress compounds the perception of indoor pollutants, turning a mildly uncomfortable space into a fullblown health nightmare.

Emerging contributors

Smart buildings pack a lot of electronicsWiFi routers, smart thermostats, and IoT sensorsemitting lowlevel electromagnetic fields (EMFs). While research is still evolving, some studies hint at an interaction between EMFs and indoorair chemistry that might aggravate symptoms. It's a reminder to keep an eye on newer tech and opt for lowEMF devices when possible.

IAQ Connection

What is indoor air quality?

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a measure of how clean, comfortable, and safe the air inside a building is. Good IAQ means low levels of pollutants, stable temperature and humidity, and enough fresh air to dilute whatever weakens us. Poor IAQ is the perfect breeding ground for SBS.

Measuring IAQ in the field

Here's a quick, friendtofriend guide you can use the next time you're on a site walk:

1. Ask occupants about their symptoms and when they notice them.
2. Check ventilation rates: look for CO readings. Anything above 1,000ppm is a red flag.
3. Inspect HVAC filters, ducts, and any visible water damage.
4. Use a handheld VOC meter if you have oneor hire a pro for a full assessment.

When IAQ is "good enough"

Even if a building meets the legal minimum standards, occupants can still feel "off." The difference lies in personal sensitivity and how well the system is maintained. A space can have adequate airflow on paper but still harbour hidden mold behind a ceiling tile, or emit VOCs from new furniture. That's why ongoing monitoring matters more than a onetime compliance check.

Prevention Steps

Boost ventilation

If you can, open windows for a few minutes each hour. For larger spaces, ask facilities to increase the amount of outdoor air mixed into the system. A handy DIY airflow calculator: Outdoor Air Volume = Occupants 15cfm. Plug in your numbers and see if you're falling short.

Eliminate or control pollutant sources

• Swap out highVOC paints and carpets for lowemission alternatives.
• Store cleaning chemicals in wellventilated cupboards, and use "green" certified products.
• Replace waterstained ceiling tiles and perform regular HVAC coil cleanouts.
• Enforce a strict nosmoking policy inside and near building entrances.

Air cleaning & filtration

HEPA filters capture particles as small as 0.3mperfect for mold spores and dust. Activatedcarbon filters adsorb odors and VOCs. UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) can kill bacteria and mold in the ducts, but it's best paired with proper filtration to avoid ozone formation.

Moisture & mold management

Keep indoor relative humidity between 40% and 70%. Use dehumidifiers in damp basements, fix leaky roofs promptly, and clean any waterdamage within 2448hours to prevent mold colonisation.

Ergonomic & psychosocial tweaks

• Aim for lighting levels of 500750 lux; avoid harsh fluorescent flicker.
• Set thermostats to a stable 1923C (6673F).
• Encourage short "airbreaks" where workers step outside for a few breaths.
• Provide stressrelief resourcesquiet rooms, green plants, or simple breathing exercises.

When to call the pros

If you've tried the quick fixes and symptoms linger, it's time to bring in certified indoorairquality consultants, industrial hygienists, or buildingbiology experts. They can conduct formal IAQ testing, map contaminant sources, and provide a remediation plan that meets local regulations.

RealWorld Stories

Office case A the hidden HVAC flaw

At a tech startup in Seattle, employees complained of daily headaches and a "stuffy" feeling. A quick CO check showed 1,500ppm during peak hourswell above the safe threshold. An HVAC contractor discovered a clogged airhandling unit that hadn't been serviced in three years. After cleaning the filters and increasing outdoor air intake, productivity jumped 30% and the headaches vanished.

School case B moldinduced asthma spikes

A primary school in Ohio noticed a sudden rise in absenteeism due to asthma attacks. An inspection revealed a leaky roof over the basement gym, creating a perfect breeding ground for mold. After remediationroof repair, professional mold removal, and installing a dehumidifierabsenteeism dropped by 70% over the next semester.

Homeoffice case C DIY ventilation hack

I once turned my cramped bedroom office into a healthier workspace by adding a simple window vent and a portable HEPA air purifier. My personal CO meter fell from 1,200ppm to 800ppm in under an hour, and the lingering headache I'd been battling for weeks disappeared. It was a small change with a big payoff.

Conclusion

Sick building syndrome isn't a mysterious curse; it's a signal that the indoor environment is out of balance. By recognizing the hallmark symptoms, understanding the mix of chemical, biological, physical, and psychosocial triggers, and applying practical remediation stepsfrom opening a window to hiring a certified IAQ professionalyou can protect your health, boost productivity, and turn a "sick" space into a thriving one. Take a moment to run that quick symptom checklist, talk to your building manager, and share what you learn with coworkers. Together we can breathe easier and work smarter.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.