Signs You’re Living Or Working in a Sick Building
Walking into a space and feeling instantly off isn’t just bad timing or a grumpy day. When your environment is working against you, it could be a clue that you have a sick home or building. But what is a “sick building,” and how do you know if you have one?
A sick building is one that is polluted with unclean air. In sick buildings, people often experience recurring symptoms like headaches, fatigue, dizziness, mucous-membrane irritation, or skin dryness that seem to vanish when they leave the environment. Scientists refer to these clusters of reactions as building-related illness (BRI) or building-related symptoms (BRS), and they often arise from contaminants inside the structure itself: volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacterial spores, fungal spores, dust, and stagnant air.
Let’s explore what makes a building “sick,” the warning signs to watch for, and the steps you can take to fix it.
Key Takeaways
- Sick buildings trap pollutants like VOCs, dust, and mold, causing symptoms that disappear when you leave.
- Poor ventilation and dirty ducts concentrate irritants, leading to headaches, fatigue, and respiratory issues.
- Musty odors, stale air, and shared symptoms are major red flags that your building’s air system is contaminated.
- IAQ testing identifies hidden pollutants and ventilation problems, revealing the root cause of sick building symptoms.
- Professional duct cleaning restores clean airflow, removing debris and microbial growth that fuel sick building syndrome.
What Is a “Sick” Building or Home?
The World Health Organization first coined the term “sick building syndrome” in the 1980s to describe indoor environments that cause discomfort and health complaints without a single identifiable disease. The problem can stem from poor ventilation, idiopathic environmental intolerance, chemical emissions from materials, or neglected HVAC systems.
When air isn’t circulating or being filtered properly, carbon dioxide and other irritants accumulate. Combine that with modern building design — tight insulation, synthetic materials, minimal fresh-air intake — and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an environment that traps pollutants instead of clearing them.
The Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
You might not see the source of contamination, but your body knows when the air isn’t right. Here are some of the most common indicators you’re living or working in a sick building:
1. You Feel Better When You Leave
2. Persistent Headaches or Fatigue
3. Eye, Nose, or Throat Irritation
4. Allergies or Respiratory Symptoms Getting Worse
5. Musty or Chemical Odors
6. Uneven Temperatures and Stale Air
7. Multiple People Share the Same Complaints
How Air Ducts Contribute to SBS
If you’re wondering how your ducts come into play, remember this: your HVAC system doesn’t just move air; it moves everything in that air. Over time, ductwork collects dust, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, and even traces of chemical contaminants. When the system turns on, those irritants recirculate through every vent.
Dirty or damp ductwork is a prime location for bacterial and fungal growth, especially around cooling coils and insulation. Once airborne, these microbes can trigger allergic reactions, headaches, and neurotoxic effects that match the symptoms of a sick building.
The Role of Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Testing
Modern buildings are built to conserve energy. But that efficiency often comes at the expense of airflow. Without adequate ventilation, pollutants become concentrated. According to ASHRAE, increasing the number of air exchanges per day dramatically reduces occupant complaints related to building-related illness.
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) testing identifies the invisible factors behind those complaints. Technicians measure carbon dioxide, humidity, particulate matter, and VOCs to pinpoint the exact cause of poor air quality. Testing can reveal whether the problem lies in your ducts, your materials, or your ventilation rate.
Get Cleaner Air (and a Healthier Building)
Clean air isn’t a luxury; it’s a baseline for living and working well.
At Planet Duct, our NADCA-certified team specializes in eliminating the contaminants that make buildings “sick.” Through expert air duct cleaning and comprehensive indoor air quality testing, we help you create a cleaner, safer environment where you can breathe easier and feel your best.
Ready to reclaim your air? Request a quote today to speak with one of our clean air specialists about your home or building!
Frequently Asked Questions About Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Air Quality
A sick building is any structure where occupants experience recurring symptoms — like headaches, fatigue, or irritation — that improve once they leave the environment. When your indoor environment traps volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bacterial spores, dust, and fungal spores, it can cause what’s known as building-related symptoms (BRS) or building-related illness (BRI). These reactions happen because the air you breathe is being continuously recirculated through contaminated or poorly ventilated systems.
The World Health Organization defines a sick building as one where at least 20% of occupants report symptoms like eye, nose, or throat irritation, dizziness, or fatigue that disappear after leaving the building. Common indicators include:
- Poor or stagnant ventilation
- Visible dust or odors from HVAC vents
- Mucous-membrane irritation or skin dryness among multiple occupants
- Damp areas that support mold or extrinsic allergic alveolitis
- Rising complaints of discomfort without a specific medical diagnosis
If your office or home fits these patterns, it may meet the criteria for a sick building and should be evaluated through professional indoor air quality testing.
There isn’t a single cause. Sick building syndrome results from a mix of biological and chemical contaminants, airflow problems, and maintenance issues. The most common culprits include:
- Inadequate ventilation or filtration
- Accumulated dust and microbial growth inside ducts
- VOC emissions from paints, furniture, and insulation
- High humidity and trapped moisture around cooling coils
- Recirculated air that concentrates carbon dioxide and other irritants
At Planet Duct, we often find that clogged or neglected ductwork is one of the biggest hidden contributors to SBS. Cleaning the system and improving airflow immediately reduces symptoms for most occupants.
Fixing a sick building starts with identifying the root cause. A certified inspection and indoor air quality (IAQ) test will reveal what’s circulating in your air — dust, mold, VOCs, or microbial growth. From there, the solutions may include:
- Professional duct cleaning to remove contaminants
- HVAC maintenance or filter upgrades
- Increasing ventilation rates to improve oxygen flow
- Dehumidifying or repairing water leaks to prevent mold growth
- Using low-VOC materials and cleaners
Planet Duct’s NADCA-certified team specializes in restoring clean airflow through powerful, truck-mounted duct cleaning systems and IAQ testing. Our goal is to eliminate the pollutants that make your building “sick” and keep them from coming back.
The duration of sick building syndrome depends on the source and how quickly it’s resolved. In many cases, symptoms improve within days of cleaning and ventilation improvements. However, if contaminants like mold or chemical residues remain untreated, issues can persist for months or even years. Once professional duct cleaning and air quality remediation are complete, most people experience noticeable relief within 24–72 hours.