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Sick building syndrome. Medical evaluation of two work forces
D A Middaugh1, S M Pinney, D H Linz
1Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267-0458.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Sick building syndrome (SBS) causes respiratory and central nervous system symptoms, often linked to poor ventilation. This study found objective neurological and neurobehavioral deficits in symptomatic workers, which were reversible.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Medicine
- Neurology
Background:
- Sick building syndrome (SBS) presents with diverse symptoms, including respiratory irritation and central nervous system (CNS) effects.
- The exact causes of SBS remain largely unknown, despite frequent building ventilation issues.
- Clinical characterization of individuals experiencing SBS symptoms is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clinically characterize symptomatic building occupants experiencing SBS.
- To identify objective medical, neurologic, and neuropsychologic abnormalities in affected individuals.
- To compare findings between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals and assess changes over time.
Main Methods:
- Standardized medical evaluations, including history, physical exams, and screening neurologic and neuropsychologic tests, were performed on employees from two sites.
- Evaluations were conducted while individuals were acutely symptomatic and also during a site evacuation for comparison with baseline data.
- Both symptomatic and asymptomatic employees were assessed to establish a control group and track changes.
Main Results:
- Symptoms reported by the workforce aligned with existing literature on SBS.
- While general medical examinations revealed few abnormalities, neurologic and neuropsychologic testing identified deficits in mental status, cerebellar function, and neurobehavioral patterns.
- Statistically significant changes in these parameters were observed from baseline, indicating objective findings.
Conclusions:
- The study identified objective, albeit self-limited, neurologic and neurobehavioral deficits in workers with SBS symptoms.
- Findings suggest a need for controlled evaluations to confirm these results and better understand SBS.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and causative agents of SBS.