University of the East – Caloocan

College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design

A Research regarding Sick Building Syndrome, its effect on human health, and how it can be
managed or avoided.

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Tropical Design

Submitted by: Anne Margareth M. Dela Cruz

Submitted to: Arch. Michel D. Landicho

 Sick building syndrome or SBS is the name given to a
collection of illnesses and symptoms that afflict multiple
occupants of particular buildings. The symptoms include
sniffles; stuffy noses; itchy eyes; sinus infections; scratchy
throats; dry, irritated skin; upset stomachs; headaches;
difficulty concentrating; and fatigue or lethargy. The key
factors in diagnosing sick building syndrome are a rapid
recovery and the disappearance of symptoms after an
affected individual leaves the building.
The syndrome has been around since the 1970s. A number of theories exist as to why it started
then. These include the energy crisis of the early 1970s that resulted in buildings being sealed up to
prevent energy loss, decreased turnover of air within buildings to save money, increased use of
chemicals in carpets and paints, poor lighting, increased use of computers, and even
increased stress in the workplace.
The term “sick building syndrome” is used when the cause of your symptoms can’t be
identified. That is why it is controversial but there are many possible causes such as buildings with
poor ventilation, such as schools, offices, and public spaces, high levels of dust, tobacco smoke,
rooms with poor lighting, outdated computer displays that cause eye strain, the presence of mold or
fungus, formaldehyde (mostly found in wood furniture and floors), asbestos, chemicals in the air
from cleaning products ,pesticides, etc. Given the variety of factors that can cause Sick Building
Syndrome, it is really difficult to pinpoint one single cause.
According to Joshi (2018), The following are some of
the factors that might be primarily responsible for Sick
Building Syndrome are; 1. Chemical contaminants,
Contaminants from outdoor such as motor vehicle
exhaust, plumbing vents and building exhausts
(bathrooms and kitchens) and indoor sources like
adhesives, upholstery, carpeting, copy machines,
manufactured wood products, pesticides, cleaning
agents, etc.
Environmental scientists have generally defined exposure and health effects on a pollutant-by-
pollutant basis. The utility and applicability of such criteria for indoor environments is controversial
for many reasons
, its effect on human health, and how it can be managed or avoided.
 Reference List
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=13142
https://ohsonline.com/articles/2016/10/01/sick-building-syndrome.aspx
https://www.healthline.com/health/sick-building-syndrome#causes
https://www.emedicinehealth.com/sick_building_syndrome/article_em.htm#causes_of_sick_building
_syndrome
https://www.iloencyclopaedia.org/part-i-47946/systematic-conditions/item/493-sick-building-
syndrome