[Sick building syndrome due to exposure to pentachlorophenol in the office: a case report]

"Sick building syndrome" (SBS) is a group of symptoms experienced by people working in various buildings. This or another term "building-related illness" (BRI) is used to define illnesses related to modern buildings, mainly offices, in which people spend many working hours. SBS applies to a group of diseases with a fairly homogenous clinical picture and etiology (specific - infectious, allergic and non-specific--for example irritant symptoms). A case of a 51-year-old non-smoking female office worker is reported. After having her working premise renovated, she started to suffer from irritation of mucous membrane of the throat, sore throat and dysphonia. She claimed that these symptoms were associated with exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP) emitted by the elements of ceiling impregnated with PCP-containing varnish. The concentration of PCP was below the hygiene standards adopted for the work environment. There were no grounds for recognizing occupational intoxication, but the case met the criteria for the sick building syndrome.