Alex is an ambitious American citizen in his late 30s. A few years ago, he worked as an editor in a newspaper company. He had a nice office all to himself. But little did he know that in this great office lies a silent threat: sick building syndrome.
At first, he couldn’t figure out what was wrong, as he started noticing recurring health issues. Some days it was the headaches, other days it was fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. Alex thought it was just stress, or perhaps a case of the “Monday blues.”
But as time passed, these symptoms continued and became a threat to his productivity and health. That’s when he decided to investigate further. After some research, he discovered the culprit behind his health problems was the building itself.
If your workers are experiencing the same issues as Alex, then they are likely suffering from Sick Building Syndrome. This is an issue that often goes unnoticed. But in this article, we’d shed more light on it for the sake of your workplace health and safety.
Let’s get started!
What is Sick Building Syndrome?
Sick building syndrome (SBS) is usually referred to when people in a building get sick because of problems with the indoor environment. Let’s explain this further.
Imagine you got transferred to a new office and anytime you come to work, you suddenly start feeling sick. You get headaches, feel tired, and sometimes you find it hard to breathe. Well, that’s called sick building syndrome.
It’s like the building itself is making you sick! There are various symptoms and reasons behind this office building sickness. Keep reading as we’d be showing you some of them.
Common Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome
There are various symptoms of SBS, and people may react differently to it. Some people may have different symptoms, while others may remain clueless about these symptoms. We’ve laid down some of the common symptoms of sick building syndrome to keep you informed:
- Respiratory issues: Your employees may start noticing signs of frequent coughing, sneezing, and shortness of breath. As time goes on, it may begin to feel like an endless allergy season.
- Headaches and fatigue: Statistics show that headaches are significantly linked to SBS among men and women in the office. They may start having persistent headaches and feel tired even after a full night’s sleep.
- Irritated eyes, nose, and throat: For some people, they may feel itchy eyes or a runny nose. Sometimes they even experience throat irritation.
- Difficulty concentrating: Their ability to focus and be productive may begin to reduce. They’ll notice difficulty with completing your tasks. And that’s something you don’t want.
Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
The workplace of your workers is like their second home. It should promote their well-being. Unfortunately, Sick Building Syndrome can be a hindrance to their workplace health and safety. Here are some causes of SBS to help keep you informed.
1. Poor indoor air quality
Have you been stuck indoors for too long without enough fresh air? Suddenly, you start feeling stuffy and uncomfortable. Poor indoor air quality is a major cause of Sick Building Syndrome.
When the fresh air circulating in the building is inadequate, the little air inside keeps getting recirculated. This air can gather allergens or toxins, like dust or chemicals, making it harmful to your employee’s health. It’s therefore vital to ensure good air circulation so that everyone can breathe comfortably and stay healthy.
2. Mold and dampness
Excessive water leakages or moisture in your workplace can cause mold and fungi to start growing. Also, it can become a breeding ground for some biological elements like bacteria.
These little guys are tiny particles and toxins that can mess with your workers breathing, which eventually leads to SBS. So, it’s crucial to keep an eye on any leaks or dampness.
3. Poor lighting
A building with poor lighting is like a home waiting to be haunted by Sick Building Syndrome. If the light of your workplace is too dim or flickering, you put your workers’ health at risk. This will tell in their productivity.
Gradually, they’d start having eye strain, feel stressed, and have trouble concentrating or sleeping well. All these can contribute to office building sickness.
Ensuring proper lighting will help them make sure their workplace is healthy and comfortable.
4. Temperature and humidity changes
When the inside of a building gets too hot or too cold, it can make your workers feel uncomfortable. If it’s too hot, they might feel sweaty, tired, and thirsty.
And if it’s too cold, they’ll shiver and feel uneasy, making it hard to focus and work well. It could even lead to health problems like hypothermia (exposure to prolonged cold temperatures).
Also, the level of humidity in the air matters. If it’s too high, the air may feel sticky and gross, which becomes a breeding ground for mold and allergies.
But if it’s too low, their skin gets dry, their eyes might feel irritated, and they could have trouble breathing. Working in an office with proper temperature and humidity changes can help prevent sick building syndrome.
5. Dirty windows
Did you know that dirty windows can cause Sick Building Syndrome? The dirt and grime on your windows can block enough fresh air from getting in. This can lead to poor ventilation and a buildup of bad air making it unsafe for your employees to breathe.
Your dirty windows can trap allergens like dust and pollen. These can ruin their indoor air quality, making them feel sick. It gets worse if they have allergies or sensitive lungs. If your windows are dirty, you should hire a professional to get them cleaned.
Keep Them Clean!
Sick building syndrome is a threat to the well-being and productivity of your employees. To make sure the air in your workplace stays clean and healthy, it’s essential to clean your windows regularly. Hiring an expert to get them cleaned saves you the stress of doing it yourself.
Arizona window cleaning service is the right expert choice for you. We pride ourselves on providing quality services at pocket-friendly rates. Our expert cleaners are properly trained to get your windows cleaned without leaving streaks. When we are done with the job, your windows would look as good as new. Reach out to us.
