Sick Building Syndrome is the title given to sicknesses and symptoms shared by people who use particular buildings. Unfortunately, this is far more common than you might think, and it’s a complicated issue with no quick and easy solution. It’s often linked to or exacerbated by poor air quality along with a concentration of chemicals and pollutants.
The Blended Cause of Sick Building Syndrome
There are issues with the push to reduce energy consumption, including increased insulation use, building wraps, double or triple-glazed windows, or buildings without opening windows, providing zero natural circulation. Add to that building décor of chemical-filled paint, carpet, and furniture, giving off fumes.
Office equipment like copiers heat the air and give off more fumes while mould or mildew, cleaning chemicals, and other toxic aspects of running a business blend in. It’s a volatile and toxic environmental mix that is breathed in every day by the people in the building.
What Are Some Sick Building Symptoms?
Some seem like allergies, while others are like the flu – the most common symptoms include:
- The sniffles
- A stuffy nose
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Recurring sinus or chest infections
- Dry and scratchy throat
- Reactive skin and allergy flareups
- Upset stomach and nausea
- Migraines
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue or lethargy
A critical Sick Building Syndrome diagnosis factor is the symptom disappearance after an individual is no longer exposed to the atmospheric chaos of the building.
How to Fixing Your Sick Building
This issue can be dangerous, especially when looking to disturb building materials full of chemicals. Therefore, we always recommend obtaining professional advice for an assessment. This will help you get the right professionals involved from the very start.
Ventilation is a crucial element to repair any building issues, but it’s more complicated than simply turning up the air and hoping for the best. With low or no natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation and the health of the system is vital.
This usually means the whole system will need to be inspected and cleaned to ensure it is free of mould, dirt and vermin – these could be factors that make everyone sick. If the airflow increases before cleaning and these issues are present, more harm could be done. Cleaning the ventilation system will start the journey towards a healthier and safer building for everyone.
Need Help With Your Sick Building and Ventilation System Cleaning?
If your company or facility needs a skilled ventilation cleaning service or wants direction on assessing Sick Building Syndrome, reach out to Grease Gone Commercial Cleaning London. We help companies fix their ventilation system and other cleaning issues right across the capital.
You can have every confidence in our expert team to complete the job to a high standard while getting your building and staff on the path to health. Let us help you build a safe and welcoming environment for your business. Call us today to receive additional information on how we can help support your business or venue health and safety.
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