[Sick building syndrome]

If within a group of people in a building or inner rooms non-specific health symptoms that diminish or vanish when the person is leaving the room are diagnosed, we call it Sick-Building-Syndrome (SBS). Physical, chemical, biological and psychological factors are held responsible for causing SBS. Generally, the non-specific health syndromes are not regarded as disease-causers although employees definitely suffer from these syndromes. It is characteristic for SBS that neither chemical-toxicological measurings of harmful substances in the air of inner rooms nor measurings of said substances concerning the biological material show any results that prove a health damage. Especially people employed at video display unit have to face a considerable strain on their health which is individually and interindividually rated and borne. If SBS occurs in the field of work the problems that come with it have to be taken seriously. Physicians and technicians have to analyse the problem and eliminate the deficiencies connected herewith. Generally the well-being concerning the physical, intellectual and psychological area desired by employees can be restored--and the Sick-Building-Syndrome can be cured. This is a very long and difficult procedure. Chronic courses of the SBS do not occur very often. SBS cannot be accepted as an occupational disease.