Sick Building Syndrome is a condition in which occupants of a building experience negative health effects such as headaches, fatigue or respiratory ailments attributed to contaminants, such as mold, bacteria or chemical pollutants that are contained or recalculated in a building.
A 1984 World Health Organization report into the syndrome suggested up to 30% of new and remodelled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. Toxic Black Mold (Stachybotrys) is reported to be the leading cause of sick building syndrome and building related illness. Other common factors in sick building syndrome are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, temperature, relative humidity and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Common symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome:
- Headache
- Eye irritation
- Nose irritation
- Dry cough
- Skin rashes
- Dizziness and nausea
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
The primary reason why Toxic Black Mold (Stachybotrys) becomes a major problem in buildings is the presence of moisture in the building where it should not be. A high level of humidity in the air is a common problem that allows water to condensate in places that should be dry.
There are several reasons why such situations can arise:
- Water damage to homes from flooding or water ingress
- Leaks in plumbing or pipes
- High humidity due to inadequate ventilation systems
- Ice damming on building roofs which allows water to seep under shingles and through roof sheathing
- Improperly functioning air conditioners
- Moisture from unvented or poorly vented kitchens and bathrooms
- Poor insulation or inadequate attic ventilation
- Crawl spaces with water pooling or elevated levels of moisture
Find Out More
ABM Environmental can quickly determine if your building has an active water ingress problem, elevated levels of mold or other contaminants within the air causing Sick Building Syndrome. Call us at (604) 568-5177 for a free phone consultation or fill out the Online Assessment Form to receive more information.