Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
11:13
Safety Precautions and Operating Procedures in an (A)BSL-4 Laboratory: 3. Aerobiology
Published on: October 3, 2016
An update on sick building syndrome.
1Department of Medical Science, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. dan.norback@medsci.uu.se
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|June 18, 2009
Summary
Recent research highlights personality, work environment, and indoor particle chemistry as key factors in sick building syndrome (SBS). Improving home environments offers a cost-effective strategy to reduce SBS symptoms and related health issues.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Occupational Health
- Building Science
Background:
- Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a complex health issue affecting occupants of buildings.
- Understanding the multifactorial nature of SBS is crucial for effective intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent insights into risk factors associated with Sick Building Syndrome.
- To explore preventive strategies for mitigating SBS symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on SBS.
- Analysis of epidemiological and physiological studies.
- Consideration of environmental monitoring data.
Main Results:
- New evidence implicates personality traits, psychosocial work factors, and indoor air chemistry (reactive chemistry, particle inflammation) in SBS.
- Physiological field studies and oxidative stress measurements enhance understanding of SBS causation.
- Growing attention to indoor environments and 'sick house syndrome' in Asian regions.
Conclusions:
- SBS is linked to both individual and environmental factors, with significant economic implications in office settings.
- Increased focus is required on indoor environments in schools, healthcare facilities, and elder care homes.
- Home environment improvements are cost-effective for reducing indoor exposure; the interplay of indoor/outdoor air pollution, energy saving, and climate change warrants future investigation.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
01:18Steps in Outbreak Investigation
In the ever-evolving field of public health, statistical analysis serves as a cornerstone for understanding and managing disease outbreaks. By leveraging various statistical tools, health professionals can predict potential outbreaks, analyze ongoing situations, and devise effective responses to mitigate impact. For that to happen, there are a few possible stages of the analysis:
01:29Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of pneumonia involves the following steps:
01:14Atypical Pneumonia
Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
01:20Sputum Studies II: Culture and Sensitivity
Description
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
Sputum culture and sensitivity is a medical procedure used to diagnose bacterial infections in the respiratory tract and select the most appropriate antibiotics for treatment. This process involves analyzing sputum samples of thick and opaque secretions produced in the lungs and airways. These samples are collected from patients and then sent to the laboratory for analysis.
The test can identify various pathogens responsible for respiratory infections, including Streptococcus,...
01:24Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease III: Chronic Bronchitis Features
Chronic bronchitis is a key phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), characterized by airway-centered inflammation and mucus overproduction. It develops from long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases, most commonly cigarette smoke, which triggers a persistent inflammatory response.Cellular and Structural ChangesInflammation initially affects the large bronchi and later the smaller airways, with infiltration by immune cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, and...