ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
IS THE MISSING PIECE OF THE HOLISTIC WELLNESS PIE
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)
Building Related Illness :
What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Ever hear someone say I fell better when I am away from my Home and/or away from my Office. As a Integrative Practitioner do you ever have a patient a client say, I tend to feel unwell when at home and/or work, but fine or much better when I go outside or move to another location. Am I losing my mind. NO SIR NO MADAM YOU ARE NOT. It’s quite possible that your home and/or the building you work in is causing you to feel ill. "Sick Building Syndrome "SBS" was coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1986, one year after a mysterious Lake Tahoe outbreak of Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS),” according to W. David Winstead, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of AMOLDBUSTER.
Individuals with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Infection (CDC). The CDS defines (ME) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/(CFS) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) this way. A serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. Individuals with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed.
In addition, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), agrees. “Sick Building Syndrome is a situation where building occupants experience acute health effects and discomfort that are linked to time spent in the building and no specific cause of illness can be identified.” (This is different from Building-Related Illness (BRI), since in the latter case, per a fellow of the AARC). The fellow says the symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be directly attributed to airborne building contaminants.
Individuals with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Infection (CDC). The CDS defines (ME) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/(CFS) Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) this way. A serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. Individuals with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed.
In addition, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC), agrees. “Sick Building Syndrome is a situation where building occupants experience acute health effects and discomfort that are linked to time spent in the building and no specific cause of illness can be identified.” (This is different from Building-Related Illness (BRI), since in the latter case, per a fellow of the AARC). The fellow says the symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be directly attributed to airborne building contaminants.
Is A Building Making You Sick ?
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Medical Professionals, Employers, Employees, Educational Facilities, Students, Teachers, Home Buyers, Homeowners, and Renters Beware...
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Sick Building Syndrome (SBS):Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe a condition where building occupants experience health and discomfort. Such related effects which can appear to be linked to a specific building’s indoor air environment but no direct correlated specific cause or illness has been identified.
Individuals and or Pet Owners may experience and/or observe such Symptoms as sudden headache; nausea; dry cough; itchy skin, eye, nose and/or throat irritations; dizziness; fatigue; body aches; or difficulty in concentration. Additionally, an unpleasant odor smell may present and/or and unexplained taste within ones mouth can appear when time is spent inside a particular building or space, thought such disappear relatively soon after such individual leaves/vacates an enclosed space or such building. |
Building Related Illness(BRI):Building Related Illness (BRI) is a new term recently added and used to describe a condition where similar discomforts are experienced and health related conditions are presented with multi symptom negative effect. Frequently described symptoms by either and Individual and/or Pet Owner can include a wide spread multi negative symptom effect that can be later tied to a clinical defined illness with clear identifiable causes.
Determining whether an occupant of a building and/or space is suffering from the negative effects of SBS or BRI can create a multi-façade challenge. Such requires a comprehensive plan of Indoor Air Quality Inspection and a bridge built between a Integrative Functional Medicine Practitioner, Biological Dentist, and/or Veterinarian and a Certified Integrative Health Indoor Air Quality Specialist. |
Possible Causation Factors
- Overall poor indoor air quality
- Inadequate ventilation
- Elevated VOC’s- Chemical contaminants
- Elevated gasses- Co2, CO, No2, O3
- Biological contaminants such as molds, bacteria, mycotoxins, or viruses
- Carbon black soot or smoke
- Formaldehyde
- Drug use residual
- Elevate Particle Mass (PM)
- Pesticides
- Noisy work environment
- Elevated or inadequate Illuminance
- Excessive dust
- High or low Moisture content – RH%
- HVAC related- Biofilm, poor filtration or refrigerant leaks
Causes of
SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
Inadequate ventilation is a significant contributor to SBS as it compromises indoor air quality, according to W. David Winstead, Acting Deputy Director of Integrative Health for the HBIA. The risk of airborne illnesses, such as the flu, continued Covid-19 outbreaks, increases when there's insufficient outdoor air supply. Moreover, various factors can affect office air quality:
- Occupant activities: Actions of people inside the building, like smoking, can introduce harmful substances. Environmental tobacco smoke contains toxic air contaminants. Yes, even in this day in time, smoke from smokers can enter into indoor spaces.
- Cleaning agents: Use of daily in home and commercial cleaning products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene, which affect air quality.
- Furnishings: Building materials and furnishings can emit pollutants. Carpeting and manufactured wood products can release formaldehyde.
- Office equipment: Electronics like computers and photocopiers can produce pollutants like ozone, further affecting indoor air quality.
Sick Building Syndrome Symptom(s)
(SBSS)
Sick Building Syndrome Symptom(s), boy what a mouthful.
From a HBIA multi state, multi year, Indoor Air Quality Field Trial Study (IAQFTS) conducted by the HBIA, all participants individually were affected by SBSS. Each's typical experience ranged of nonspecific symptoms, according to an article by W. David Winstead, Deputy Director of Integrative Healthcare and Functional Medicine Coordinator Specialist, in our combined study with Integrative Functional Medicine professionals and practitioner's nationwide.
Per the HBIA, multi state (IAQFTS) - Symptoms often fell into five major categories:
Individuals also reported nonspecific reactions such as chest discomfort, asthma-like symptoms and more, making SBSS a complex condition with varied manifestations.
From a HBIA multi state, multi year, Indoor Air Quality Field Trial Study (IAQFTS) conducted by the HBIA, all participants individually were affected by SBSS. Each's typical experience ranged of nonspecific symptoms, according to an article by W. David Winstead, Deputy Director of Integrative Healthcare and Functional Medicine Coordinator Specialist, in our combined study with Integrative Functional Medicine professionals and practitioner's nationwide.
Per the HBIA, multi state (IAQFTS) - Symptoms often fell into five major categories:
- Central nervous system and psychiatric symptoms: Participants felt and were enduring fatigue, memory problems and voiced concerns over the difficulty of concentrating.
- Irritation of the eyes, nose and throat: Some participants symptoms appeared and showed up as dryness, stinging, hoarseness and skin irritation, which may have appeared as redness or dryness.
- Neurotoxic symptoms: Multiple Individuals experienced fatigue, lethargy, reduced memory and/or difficulty concentrating.
- Headache and dizziness: Multiple Individuals and in addition, other co-workers and family members to include pets experienced frequent headaches and bouts of dizziness that potentially lead back to indicative the high potential of SBSS.
- To back the findings from the IAQFTS, the HBIA in alliance, worked with, environmental independent laboratories. To ensure proper recorded data from the IAQFTS, scientific analysis were performed based up Mold, Bacteria, and additional Microbial sampling and testing of Indoor Air and Surfaces.
- Nausea, odor or taste complaints: Unpleasant smells or tastes, as well as changes in sensitivity, can be among the symptoms.
Individuals also reported nonspecific reactions such as chest discomfort, asthma-like symptoms and more, making SBSS a complex condition with varied manifestations.
How is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) diagnosed?
Diagnosing SBS can be challenging, because its symptoms are specific to a particular space and often resemble those of other health issues.
Health care providers use a process of elimination to determine if SBS is the cause.
Integrative Environmental Specialist such as a HBIA Certified Indoor Air Quality Specialist , uses a process of elimination of the indoor environment of either a residential home, commercial building, health care facility, educational campus, etc.
Both of the aforementioned will inquire about a individuals lifestyle, work, residential/home environment and symptom frequency. Appropriate tests, like allergy assessments, may be conducted to rule out other conditions.+ We encourage you to speak directly with one of our Integrative Specialist immediately for assist. Please feel free to contact us by HERE. Or you may call our office directly by clicking on this link. CLICK HERE.
Once SBS is identified as the likely culprit, after excluding other possibilities, treatment can begin. This thorough evaluation helps ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.
Health care providers use a process of elimination to determine if SBS is the cause.
Integrative Environmental Specialist such as a HBIA Certified Indoor Air Quality Specialist , uses a process of elimination of the indoor environment of either a residential home, commercial building, health care facility, educational campus, etc.
Both of the aforementioned will inquire about a individuals lifestyle, work, residential/home environment and symptom frequency. Appropriate tests, like allergy assessments, may be conducted to rule out other conditions.+ We encourage you to speak directly with one of our Integrative Specialist immediately for assist. Please feel free to contact us by HERE. Or you may call our office directly by clicking on this link. CLICK HERE.
Once SBS is identified as the likely culprit, after excluding other possibilities, treatment can begin. This thorough evaluation helps ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate care.