Sick building syndrome
Overview
Sick building syndrome is the name for symptoms you get while you're in a particular building. It usually happens in an office, but you can get it in any building.
Symptoms
Symptoms of sick building syndrome get worse the longer you're in a particular building and get better after you leave. Other people in the building may also have symptoms. Possible symptoms include: headachesblocked or runny nosedry, itchy skindry, sore eyes or throatcough or wheezingskin rashestiredness and difficulty concentrating These symptoms are common and can be caused by lots of things. They're unlikely to be a sign of sick building syndrome if you have them all the time, or when you're in lots of different places. There are some things you can do that may help ease symptoms of sick building syndrome. open windows to improve ventilation, if you can open windows to improve ventilation, if you can set the temperature at about 19C and do not change it lots of times during the day set the temperature at about 19C and do not change it lots of times during the day try to reducestress try to reducestress take regular screen breaks if you use a computer take regular screen breaks if you use a computer go outside for some fresh air during lunchtime and other breaks go outside for some fresh air during lunchtime and other breaks
Causes
It's not clear exactly what causes sick building syndrome. It's probably due to a combination of things, such as: poor ventilation or poorly maintained air conditioning systemsdust, smoke, fumes or fabric fibres in the airbright or flickering lightsproblems with cleaning and layout, such as crowded desks Sick building syndrome mostly happens in open-plan offices.