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[Epidemiology of "sick buildings"]
T D Sterling1, C Collett, D Rumel
1School of Computing Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. Canada.
Revista De Saude Publica
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Modern buildings can harbor harmful microorganisms, leading to "Sick Building Syndrome." Proper maintenance is crucial to ensure indoor environments are safe for occupants.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Modern buildings create unique indoor ecosystems.
- Construction materials and HVAC systems introduce chemicals and support microbial growth.
- Sealed buildings present challenges in regulating temperature and humidity for microbial control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiology of building-related illnesses.
- To identify sources of toxic substances in indoor environments.
- To describe methods for maintaining safe indoor air quality.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of building-related illnesses.
- Analysis of factors contributing to indoor environmental hazards.
- Discussion of strategies for indoor environment management.
Main Results:
- Indoor environments can become harmful due to chemical by-products and microbial proliferation.
- Improperly managed indoor environments are linked to occupant health issues, termed "Sick Buildings".
- Specific temperature and humidity levels can favor the growth of different microorganisms.
Conclusions:
- Maintaining indoor environments is critical to prevent adverse health effects.
- Understanding microbial ecology and toxicant sources is key to mitigation.
- Proactive management strategies are necessary for healthy buildings.