How to Prevent Sick Building Syndrome
Most people in the U.S. spend a significant amount of time indoors—at home, in vehicles, or at work—especially during extreme weather. In fact, the average person spends over 90% of their time indoors. Prolonged exposure to poorly ventilated or poorly maintained buildings with inadequate indoor air quality can contribute to sick building syndrome (SBS), a serious condition recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Institutes of Health.
SBS can often be traced to issues like improper ventilation, outdated HVAC systems, or a lack of regular service. To prevent SBS, businesses should consider investing in commercial HVAC installation with modern systems designed for optimal airflow and air purification. Even existing systems can be optimized through routine HVAC maintenance and timely HVAC repairs to ensure air remains clean and healthy.
If you’re concerned about air quality in your workplace, commercial HVAC service
from a trusted local provider can help address and prevent many of the causes of SBS.
General Air is the most trusted HVAC expert in Greenville. Contact us today to improve your indoor air quality.
Sick Building Syndrome Explained
Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term used to describe several adverse health effects and aches associated with being inside a building with poor air quality. These issues can sometimes be traced to being in a specific part of a building or persist all over the building. However, despite being caused by being indoors, doctors cannot diagnose an exact illness.
SBS symptoms can be ambiguous but often mimic other ailments such as colds, allergies, or even stress and anxiety. Some of the common symptoms of SBS, according to the EPA, include headaches, dry cough, throat, nose, or eye irritation, itchy or dry skin, nausea and dizziness, and fatigue.
Common Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
Although the precise causes of SBS are still unknown, some of the contributing factors are listed below.
Poorly Maintained HVAC Units
A poorly maintained HVAC unit will not supply fresh air to all building parts, significantly contributing to SBS. Also, a dirty system will contaminate the air supply, leading to SBS.
Poor Ventilation
Almost all the cases of SBS are related to poor ventilation. Poor ventilation allows a buildup of contaminants to a point where they can cause illness. Various factors may lead to poor ventilation, such as dirty filters, clogged ducts, poor design, and lack of maintenance.
VOCs and Chemicals
Another common cause of SBS is high levels of VOCs and toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, which can be released from cleaning products, photocopy machines, and adhesives. This can be compounded by a malfunctioning HVAC system that will prevent these pollutants from being vented out of the building.
Biological Contaminants
In a humid environment, biological contaminants such as bacteria and mold can accumulate inside your HVAC unit and ductwork, causing them to circulate throughout your business premises.
How Sick Building Syndrome Can Be Prevented
Poor air quality is the leading cause of SBS. Below are some ways to prevent SBS.
Improve Ventilation
The best way to improve air quality in a building is to improve ventilation. Ventilating a space helps scatter virus droplets, reducing the chances that occupants will breathe in disease-causing particles and become ill. Proper airflow out of and into a building prevents contaminants from building up to dangerous levels that can cause SBS.
Regular HVAC Maintenance
A poorly maintained HVAC system can cause poor indoor air quality since contaminants in the system will be distributed through the air ducts to other parts of the building. Scheduling regular maintenance can ensure there are no contaminants in the system.
Use Low VOC Products
Using low-VOC cleaning agents will ensure your building is clean without causing poor air quality. Also, choosing paints and finishes with low VOC levels helps minimize the amount of chemical pollutants in your building.
Commercial HVAC Experts in Greenville, South Carolina
SBS can be prevented with routine maintenance from a reputable commercial HVAC expert. At General Air, we value reliability, professionalism, and superior craftsmanship. Contact us today to learn how you can improve your indoor air quality.
