What is sick building syndrome?

Let us see some most common ones that are guilty of causing the sick building syndrome. The usual everyday things that surround us, that we live with and that we would never think about, cause sick building syndrome.

Biological pollutants can be found in every household. Includes viruses, bacteria, cat saliva, animal dander, pollen, house dust, mites,.. Controlling the relative humidity level in a home can be helpful. For homes it is recommended to sustain between 30 and 50 % relative humidity. Wet surfaces as standing water, water-damaged materials are great to serve as a breeding ground for molds, mildews, bacteria and insects.  Damp, warm environments are very welcome for domestic mites, which are the most common pollutant.

Pollens from plants, mold, viruses transmitted by people and animals, household pets, droppings from pests or insects, viruses and bacteria, the protein in urine from hamsters, guinea pigs, domesticated mice, rats, contaminated central air handling system if not properly maintained, mold in bathrooms, bedding, carpet, etc. are the sources for bad health. Biological contaminants are produced by living things.

Children, people with breathing problems, allergies, elderly people, people with lung diseases are susceptible to disease-causing biological agents in the indoor air. Dizziness, fever, digestive problems, shortness of breath, coughing, watery eyes, sneezing are most common health problems enclouding some types of asthma, allergic rhinitis.

The influence of carbon monoxide on indoor air quality it is very important and the sources are very different. Carbon monoxide has no odor, it is colorless and very toxic gas and can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. Leaking chimneys and furnaces, gas stoves, tobacco smoke, unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, automobile exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, parking areas, etc. effects your health. At low concentrations you can experience chest pain and fatigue. If concentrations are moderate angina, reduced brain function and impaired vision can occur. Higher concentrations can cause confusion, nausea, headaches, impaired vision and coordination and it is fatal.

Formaldehyde on the other hand is a colorless and flammable gas with a strong smell. It is found in furniture products, hair products, nail polish, toothpaste, soap, fertilizers and pesticides, building materials and insulation, dishwashing liquids, paper products, lacquers and finishes, etc. Its level are higher in new manufactured wood products (flooring and furniture and some fabrics).  It is present in exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke, is released into the atmosphere during fires and is an integral part of smog. Formaldehyde irritates the skin, eyes and respiratory mucosa. Of all the harmful effects, the carcinogenicity of formaldehyde is certainly the most worrying. It damages the genetic material of cells and triggers processes that can lead to cancer. Formaldehyde has been linked to cancer of the nasal cavity and throat. However, people who are exposed to formaldehyde in their work are most at risk.

Allergic reaction in the presence of formaldehyde irritation can occur as nasal irritation, sore throat, sneezing, cough, fatigue, cutaneous erythema.

A certain amount of formaldehyde inevitably ends up in the blood, so it is important to take all necessary precautions to limit its accumulation in tissues and vital organs.

In general, you should try to avoid the use of carpet and chipboard furniture, always ensure proper air exchange and ventilation in home environments, use safe and controlled heating sources,

try to buy materials with the text E1 (low formaldehyde concentration), use air conditioners or dehumidifiers to stabilize the home temperature (heat and humidity increase the release of formaldehyde indoors).

Formaldehyde is used in most adhesives used to make sheet composites. Part of the formaldehyde binds and part does not react. Unreacted formaldehyde slowly passes out of the plate.. The wood processing industry has been working for many years to increase product quality and thus reduce formaldehyde emissions from panel composites – it is the proportion of surface openness through which formaldehyde can emit smoothly. Due to the high degree of solubility in water, it is absorbed very quickly into the human body.

Radon is an odorless and colorless natural radioactive gas. It accumulates indoors and can be carcinogenic. It comes naturally from the earth. It sounds scary that radon is present in all facilities, business and residential. However, its concentration is the most important and usually the limit value is prescribed by law. Radon easily enters buildings through cracks in the floor slab, shafts, plumbing or electrical installations, through ventilation, etc The biggest risk of overexposure to radon is lung cancer.