The Possible Causes Of Sick Building Syndrome Environmental Sciences Essay

The practicable Causes Of Sick Building Syndrome Environmental Sciences EssayThe World Health establishment defines Sick Building Syndrome as a complex of sub-chronic symptoms that hail opus occupants argon in a building and gener completelyy decrease when they leave. The EPA defines it as phenomena employ to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute wellness and comfort personal effects that appear to be linked to succession washed-out in a building, but no specific affection or get to batch be identified. The discomforts faced by the occupants argon ordinarily of the dermis, the nervous system and the mucous membranes (Brinke et al., 1998). Typical symptoms whitethorn include querulous eyes, itchy and/or dry skin, irritation of the nose, throat, difficulty in breathing, headache, nausea, fatigue, agency tightening etc. (Apter et al, 1994). The problem may non necessarily be unity link up to the place of occupation, but studies that describe it refer nearly specifically to occupation tie in disorders.Sick building syndrome is a by-product of building relate illness which itself is an extension of indoor(prenominal)(prenominal) line of descent prize. SBS is steadfastly to diagnose as the symptoms that accompany it ar not mutually unshared to it, and may besides be the manifestations of early(a)(a) illnesses. Previous studies and surveys conducted on moorage buildings in the U.S and Europe indicate that at least a fifth of the wellnessy individuals in the building experience symptoms related to SBS (Pickering et al.,1992) . Usually however, the symptoms leave if the somebody leaves the building.2. CAUSES OF SBSThe following are the possible causes of sick building syndrome2.1. spreading system (or lack thereof)In the mid 1900s the building ventilation standards were set at approximately 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of out of doors demeanor for each building occupant, primarily to dilute and channeliz e body odors (US EPA). As a result of the 1973 oil embargo, however, national energy conservation measures called for a less(prenominal)ening of the amount of exterior air translated for ventilation to 5 cfm per occupant, which in most(prenominal) cases were found to be inadequate. Inadequate ventilation may also occur if heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems do not effectively distribute air to people in the building(US EPA).To accommodate adequate indoor air quality, the Ameri kitty Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recently revised its ventilation standard to provide a minimum of 15 cfm of outdoor air per person (20 cfm/person in plaza spaces). ( ASHRAE Standard 62-1989).2.2. ContaminantsContaminants are of a varied reputation and varied origin. They can be broadly categorized into 2 categories on the basis of their composition i.e. chemical and biologic and their origin i.e. indoor and outdoor.2.2.1 indoor(pre nominal) chemical contaminantsThese originate inside the building. Examples could be chemicals/fumes from the paint, carpeting, wood products, upholstery, write machines, computers, cleaning agents. much(prenominal) chemicals are usually classified as evaporable Organic Carbons. Other chemical contaminants can be the CO2 exhaled in totality, the fumes/chemicals in cigarette polecat. Heating systems especially the old ones can give rise to combustion byproducts such as carbon monoxide, atomic number 7 dioxides, aerosol particles, ozone etc. Various studies have been conducted on almost all of the above mentioned chemicals contaminants and their ill effects have been well documented.2.2.2. Outdoor chemical contaminantsAs the happen upon suggest, these originate outside the building. These also include VOCs, gases ilk carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, oxides of sulfur, ozone, etc. However, the basic difference betwixt this and indoor chemical contaminants is that outdoor conta minants arise due to vehicular use outside the building, which gradually fall into places inside the building.2.2.3. Biological contaminantsBacteria, molds, pollen, and viruses are types of biological contaminants. These contaminants may stemma in stagnant water that has accumulated in ducts, humidifiers and drain pans, or where water has collected on ceiling tiles, carpeting, or insulation. mosttimes insects or bird droppings can be a source of biological contaminants.Physical symptoms related to biological contamination include cough, chest tightness, fever, chills, tendon aches, and allergic responses such as mucous membrane irritation and pep pill respiratory over-crowding. One indoor bacterium, Legionella, has caused both Legionnaires Disease and Pontiac Fever (Apter et al, 1994).3. EPIDEMIOLOGY OF imbalanced BUILDING SYNDROMESeveral studies have been conducted on the Sick Building Syndrome, and the effects related to it. These studies had employed questionnaires which de pended on self-reporting by the subjects, and indoor quality measurements. The branch of such surveys/studies which focused primarily on building related distemper or complaints was done in the United Kingdom for humidifier fever by Anthony Pickering (Pickering et al, 1992). The same regularity was utilized by the subsequent researchers, with some modifications in the study design or questions. The studies were usually comparative, i.e. there was a evidence group in which the subjects worked/resided in not so well air out buildings, and the control group in which the subjects were in well ventilated buildings. self reporting was usually a component of the study design (Redlich et at, 1997), and by its very nature the most likely to introduce bias in the study. Subjects usually reported nasal symptoms such as congestion, pruritis, rhinorrhea etc., eye related symptoms such as tearing, dryness etc., and others such as tightness and congestion in the chest area, nausea etc. (Apte r et al, 1994). When comparisons were made between the two groups, it was seen that the prevalence of all these symptoms was racyer in the subjects that were in the test group. This would alleviate to draw the conclusion that there was some factor in the building, peradventure the ventilation or lack of it that contributed to these symptoms. Though building related factors are not the only variables in such studies, age, gender, environmental factors also sexual conquest for a lot. A study conducted by Ooi et al. suggests that building related health complaints were reported more(prenominal) frequently by people who handled/dealt with visual disclose units.A majority of the researchers conducting these studies agree that these symptoms could also be manifestations of work related stress, which obviously tactical maneuvers a major part in todays work environment. tenseness related disorders include headaches including migraines, peptic ulcers, high blood pressure, bronchial asthma attack etc. When these are considered in conjugation with building related health complaints, there is a very high degree of overlap. Indoor air quality measurements usually armed service to somewhat pinpoint the origin of these disorders, if not accurately predict them. Air quality measurements with respect to building related disorders prove that inadequate ventilation is usually a major cause of the disorders. Inadequate ventilation fails to dissipate the concentration of the chemical and biological contaminants, and may even lead the increase in their concentration over time. Sources of these contaminants willing be discussed further.3.1. Sources of the ContaminantsA).VOCs Volatile organic compounds are usually aerosols of hydrocarbons. They arise from miscellaneous sources and are present in a variety of compounds present indoors. Such sources are paints, coatings, caulks, carpeting, Office products such as type-writer correction fluids, photo-duplication and laser p ublish toners and their thermal degradation products, and carbonless copy paper release. In addition, perfumes, emissions from dry-cleaned clothes, and other products associated with human beings may give of VOCs. Also certain microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi may emit VOCs (Brinke et al, 1998).B). BIOAEROSOLS As the name suggests, these are released by biological sources such as micro-organisms and even humans. Plants also emit bioaerosols. Inadequate cleaning services and moisture control may lead to the proliferation of microorganisms. Furthermore, dust may collect in vents and in between carpeting (Apte et al., 2000). take oners may even carry them in through their clothes, and these are the major ways how organisms such as dust mites, cockroaches and even cut bugs are transported and subsequently propagated. These compounds usually give rise to respiratory illnesses and can increase the incidence of asthma, though their epidemiology is not much supported by previous st udies.C). ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE In most U.S office buildings, smoking is prohibited. However, already present outside smoke may pervade in through doorways and windows through wind patterns. Usually tobacco smoke is not much of a problem in the United States however, it is so in many other countries especially developing countries. Such a factor may increase passive smoking, and increase the incidence of asthma, and other respiratory diseases.D). OUTSIDE AIR POLLUTION Vehicular wear out, factory wear upon and other outdoor pollution factors can pervade indoors gradually. This is seen in buildings which are near busy roadways and city centers. The compounds in such are usually VOCs and aerosols which cause a huge variety of problems (Brinke et al, 1998).E). PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS Work stress is a psychological factor that can exacerbate already existing health problems and/or make a person more susceptible to them.Furthermore, several studies have proved that gender and age pl ay a big part in the prevalence of the disorders. Typically, women and older workers are more susceptible to sick building syndrome disorders (Brasche et al, 2001).4. POSSIBLE REMEDIATION OF sickish BUILDING SYNDROMESick building syndrome is different from building related illness in the sense that it is reversible, i.e. most people report alleviation in their symptoms if they leave the building. This improvement in their health is more or less fast, and it is this factor that makes SBS somewhat easy to manage. The following solutions can be used in combination or separately to remediate these symptoms.4.1. Elimination of contaminantsThis method is the surmount remedy if the sources are known and it is economically feasible to remove them. A well maintained HVAC system can automatically cooperate to eradicate some or most of these pollutants. The EPA suggests the following procedures to help in eliminating the contaminants1. Periodic cleaning or heir of filters2. Replacement of water-stained ceiling tile and carpeting3. Institution of smoking restrictions4. Venting contaminant source emissions to the outdoors5. Storage and use of paints, adhesives, solvents, and pesticides in well ventilated areas, and use of these pollutant sources during periods of non-occupancy6. Allowing time for building materials in new or remodeled areas to off-gas pollutants before occupancy.4.2. Increasing ventilation ratesImproving ventilation and the general air distribution greatly impacts the indoor air quality of a building. It is usually the most economically feasible options of counteracting SBS. HVAC should at the very least meet the minimum standards of local and/or national building codes.The ASHRAE suggests operating HVAC systems at their design optimum which is usually better and higher than the generic codes. The most optimum and the best option to operate HVAC systems is to the ASHRAE standard62-1989.If there is a large proportion of outdoor pollution pervading ind oors, the exhaust systems have to operate to their most optimum aptitude so as to continually eliminate such contaminants. Another believable but far less economically plausible option could be to avoid such congested areas al together, and build new buildings in relatively more open spaces, however, this could lead to the step-down in a places kelvin cover, and would be ultimately counter-intuitive to the purpose of elimination of air pollution.The EPA recommends local exhaust ventilation to remove pollutants that accumulate in specific areas such as rest rooms, copy rooms, and printing facilities. It also recommends that the HVAC systems must bring in adequate amounts of outdoor air to dilute and eventually remove indoor contaminants.4.3. Air cleaningAir cleaning is usually a exhaustively remediation option if the SBS is too much, or the indoor air quality is too deteriorated. It is more of a cure than a prevention strategy. kindred most mechanical cures, this option also c omes with a lot of limitations. subatomic particle control devices such as the typical furnace filter are cut-price but do not effectively capture small particles whereas high performance air filters capture the smaller, respirable particles but are relatively dear(predicate) to install and operate. Mechanical filters do not remove gaseous pollutants. Some specific gaseous pollutants may be removed by adsorbent material beds, but these devices can be expensive and require frequent replacement of the adsorbent material (Wargocki et al, 2000).4.4. Proper Communication and EducationThese are one of the most important measures in remediation and prevention of SBS. The top circumspection needs to keep in mind the health of its employees and should communicate measures to help them. All the levels of the management must work in tandem to maintain good or rather excellent indoor air quality. The EPA articulately puts it as When building occupants, management, and maintenance personnel fully communicate and commiserate the causes and consequences of IAQ problems, they can work more effectively together to prevent problems from occurring, or to solve them if they do.5. CONCLUSIONSick Building Syndrome is increasingly becoming an step to the fore in the workplace and there are documented proofs that it results in reduction in productivity. However, thankfully, it is a reversible and easily remediable phenomenon, and if the employers and employees work together in eliminating it, it can truly be eradicated.