The term Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) has been used to describe situations in which occupants of large buildings experience acute health and comfort effects related to the time spent in a building, in which no direct cause can be identified. Some of these symptoms may include: headaches, itchy eyes, nose or throat, dry cough, dry or itchy skin and sometimes nausea.
SBS has become a particular concern, especially when it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.
The American Lung Association states that to maintain good air quality you should:
"Regularly clean and disinfect every part of a ventilating, heating or cooling device or system, including humidifiers and dehumidifiers, air filters, air circulation pumps and blowers." The most important part in solving an indoor air quality issue is eliminating the source of the problem. In determining the source, a thorough inspection of the surrounding environment is needed. This should also include a thorough inspection of the ventilation system as it may or may not have been contaminated from this source.
Often times the ventilation system itself is the cause of the problem. Sources vary from toxic fumes, inadequate amounts of fresh air, high accumulations of dust, fiberglass particles, to mold growth. Mechanical problems within an air handling unit can also be the cause. One such problem is clogged condensate drains in an air handling unit causing standing water that eventually leads to mold growth. Often times when people are sick the problem can be traced back to the ventilation system. |
