Sick building syndrome: do outdoor pollutants and pollen affect it?

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Occupational Health
• Allergology

Background:

• Sick building syndrome (SBS) encompasses non-specific symptoms like headaches and fatigue, often linked to specific buildings.
• Understanding the environmental triggers for SBS is crucial for public health and building management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between clinical manifestations of SBS and exposure to outdoor pollutants and airborne pollen.
• To identify specific environmental factors contributing to SBS symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study involving 402 adults who completed online surveys on SBS symptoms and personal history.
• Airborne pollen data collected using the APS-330 (Pollen Sense®) and outdoor pollutant data from the SIMA system.
• Statistical analysis performed using SPSS version 16.

Main Results:

• 91% of participants reported at least one SBS symptom.
• Females and individuals with a history of atopy exhibited a higher prevalence of symptoms.
• Airborne pollen and outdoor fungi spores were positively associated with mucosal and cutaneous symptoms, respectively.

Conclusions:

• Significant associations were found between SBS symptoms, female gender, and a history of atopy.
• The study confirms an association between SBS clinical manifestations and both indoor and outdoor pollution.
• Findings suggest increased risk for specific demographics and highlight the role of environmental factors in SBS.