Investigation and work-up of tight building syndrome

In recent years, incidents involving health-related complaints due to poor indoor air quality have increased dramatically. These problems have generally occurred in new or remodeled buildings. Following relocation to a new building, some employees began to experience health complaints, including upper respiratory tract irritation, headaches, fatigue, and eye irritation. A questionnaire was designed which elicited information about specific work locations, symptom experience, and timing of such symptoms. Although no causative agent(s) could be isolated, the data collected indicate that over the 5-week time period of investigation the rate and persistence of new symptoms decreased. The health complaints experienced appeared to be neither persistent nor pervasive enough to constitute an ongoing health and safety hazard at the facility. Reasons were proposed why some new and/or remodeled buildings have this type of problem while others do not.