{"id":3827,"date":"2019-07-06T07:39:30","date_gmt":"2019-07-06T11:39:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.airmd.com\/?p=3827"},"modified":"2019-07-06T07:39:30","modified_gmt":"2019-07-06T11:39:30","slug":"indoor-air-quality-sick-building-syndrome","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/airmd.com\/indoor-air-quality-sick-building-syndrome\/","title":{"rendered":"Indoor Air Quality and Sick Building Syndrome"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Indoor<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve probably heard of Sick Building Syndrome. Sick buildings are one of the many reasons that the environmental testing services offered by AirMD \u2013 including VOC testing, formaldehyde testing and mold testing as well as asbestos inspections \u2013 are in such demand by businesses from Boca Raton and Miami to Orlando and Jacksonville.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve ever had the misfortune of working in a sick building, you know all too well how it makes you feel, but you probably don\u2019t know why the building made you feel that way. (If you haven\u2019t had the experience \u2013 trust us, you don\u2019t want to.) That\u2019s part of the problem with Sick Building Syndrome \u2013 no one is able to identify exactly what causes it.<\/p>\n

What Makes a Building Sick?<\/h3>\n

Sick Building Syndrome is a relatively recent addition to the world of illness and disease. The problem began when we stopped opening the windows in the buildings where we live, work, shop and go to school. During the energy crisis of the 1970s, in an effort to save on energy consumption, new construction featured virtually air-tight environments.<\/p>\n

What seemed like a good idea at the time had unintended consequences. Unfortunately, in addition to keeping air-conditioned or heated air in, these buttoned-up buildings can also trap a number of airborne contaminants.<\/p>\n

As Occupational Health & Safety magazine explains, \u201cMany paints, carpet fibers, furniture, and even wallboard off-gas noxious fumes, sometimes for years after installation. These products may emit formaldehyde, acetic acid, or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals. Modern office equipment such as copiers and electrostatic air cleaners add to the problem by adding ozone to the mix. Mold or mildew from damp conditions also create air quality problems. Manufacturing processes and material-handling equipment may add hydrocarbons or smog, and many chemical cleaning agents give off harmful vapors. The result is a chemical stew in the air that makes people ill\u2014with sick building syndrome.\u201d<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome<\/h3>\n

A long list of symptoms can be associated with Sick Building Syndrome, including but not limited to:<\/p>\n