You're at the office on Monday morning, and you have a pounding headache. Come to think of it, for the past month, you've had a headache every day while working. It only seems to last from when you start working to when you clock-out for the day. It might be stress, or a case of the flu everyone's getting. However, if these headaches are only at work when you are, it might be your workplace. The building is the sick one, not you.

Understanding Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome, or SBS, is used to describe the negative effects a polluted building can have on one's health. Identifying exact causes or illnesses related to SBS, and can be occasionally confused with building-related illnesses, conditions due to certain airborne contaminants, such as Legionnaires' disease. SBS symptoms generally dissipate when the afflicted person exits the building. Some these symptoms are:

Headaches

Throat, nose, and eye irritation

Dry coughing

Itchy, dry skin

Nausea and dizzy spells

Problems with Concentration

Tiredness

Odor and fragrance sensitivity

SBS Causes

Advances in construction have resulted in more airtight buildings, meaning less air being circulated through the workplace. Coupled with the fact that materials used for building have become increasingly complex, and substances used in cleaners, paint, and upholstery, the air inside buildings are now filled with pollutants and irritants. These are a few particular SBS causes:

A low quality of indoor air. Most office buildings being built these days use low-ventilation systems that reuse up to 80% or the air inside. Reused air carries with it a greater chance of harboring dust mites, fungi, and molds.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Emitted as fumes from substances in copiers and printer toners, glues and adhesives, and markers, these are chemical irritants. Upholstery, drapery fabric, and some furniture and paneling can occasional contain formaldehyde, one of the frequent causes of SBS.

Biological contaminants. These often come in the form of pollens, viruses, molds, and bacteria. Wherever there is a collection of stagnant water, biological contaminants can thrive. Common areas are ceiling tiles, ducts, and occasionally insulation and carpeting.

The Environmental Protection Agency cautions that high levels of humidity and temperature inside could worsen the symptoms of SBS. Not enough humidity causes more dust, and too much humidity is ideal for fungi and molds. Great changes in temperature can aid VOCs being released into the air, according to research.

Your Role in Reducing Sick Building Syndrome

The best thing you can do to reduce the effects of SBS is avoid the allergens and irritants that cause the condition. These are some things you can do:

Keep air circulating by opening doors and windows.

Stay away from possible irritants like fragrances, air fresheners, or scented soaps.

Track the symptoms of SBS found in your colleagues.

Contact your local health official, and ask about having your workplace examined for the possibility of SBS.

These ideas can help lower the chances of Sick Building Syndrome. A study done at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, monitored 1,300 employees who claimed to be suffering from SBS. The company switched to using a building that was more ventilated, had specific smoking areas, and separate air circulation systems for photocopy rooms, almost half of the employees stopped complaining about symptoms.