Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) refers to an assortment of maladies relating to the indoor environment of a house or other structure. In SBS, the building may be “sick,” but its occupants experience the symptoms. Often these symptoms may be vague and difficult to attribute to a single specific cause.
Despite the diversity of potential physical reactions, SBS presents two consistent characteristics:
- The exact causes of the symptom(s) may not be identifiable.
- The symptoms tend to diminish or disappear when the individual leaves the building.
According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), some of the possible causes of Sick Building Syndrome include
- Combustion byproducts including carbon monoxide
- Inadequate ventilation
- Vapors from chemicals
Sick Buildings and Mold
Toxic mold is another prime suspect in many cases of Sick Building Syndrome. Unseen mold thriving inside a building can release millions of airborne spores, continuously spreading mold contamination on air currents and throughout the HVAC system.
Mold spores typically contain mycotoxins which cause reactions in certain individuals. When inhaled by individuals inside a property on a regular basis, mold spores may trigger a variety of symptoms including:
- Chronic fatigue
- Cough
- Difficulty concentrating
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nose/throat irritation
The Mold-Friendly Environment
In addition to a food source such as cellulose—common in building materials—toxic mold growth inside a structure requires only two additional ingredients to thrive:
- Existing moisture issues
- Groundwater rising from the soil
- Plumbing leaks
- Previous indoor water damage or flooding
- Rainwater seeping through the roof
- Indoor temperatures of 70° or more
Restoring A Healthy Indoor Environment
Professional mold remediation begins with air sampling to confirm the presence of actively growing mold and to estimate how extensive the contamination may be. This is followed by a thorough inspection of the premises.
- Where active mold growth is confirmed, it must be completely removed from the building and the location of the contamination sterilized.
- Contributing factors like moisture sources and high indoor humidity should be identified and corrected.
- Follow-up testing is necessary to confirm that mold is eliminated.
