What Is Sick Building Syndrome?
People often ask us “what is sick building syndrome, and how do I know if I have it?” Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a condition in which people experience symptoms of illness or irritation caused by the buildings where they live or work. Too many people live with sick building syndrome, suffering in silence and confusion. So, let’s talk about it in more detail.
Understanding Sick Building Syndrome
Sick building syndrome is known in scientific literature as a building-related illness (BRI), building-related symptoms (BRS), or idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI). It is often commonly referred to as “sick house syndrome” or “sick office syndrome.” The term was first recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1986, after research showed that tightly sealed modern buildings were trapping contaminants, leading to higher rates of headaches, fatigue, mucous-membrane irritation, dizziness, and nausea.
Unlike specific building-related illnesses such as Legionnaires’ disease or mold-related asthma, sick building syndrome is broader and more complex. It refers to clusters of non-specific symptoms that tend to worsen the longer you’re indoors and improve when you leave. These symptoms can include everything from eye and throat irritation to neurotoxic effects like headaches and brain fog.
The underlying cause? A combination of environmental and biological stressors that degrade indoor air quality (IAQ), overwhelming your body’s natural defenses.
What Causes Sick Building Syndrome?
There’s no single culprit behind SBS. It’s usually a mix of environmental and mechanical issues that build up over time. Here are some of the most common ones.
Contaminated Air & Poor Ventilation
Modern buildings are designed for energy efficiency, not always for health. Limited ventilation and sealed windows prevent fresh outdoor air from entering, allowing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, and other airborne pollutants to accumulate. According to ASHRAE standards, ventilation rates that fall below 10 cubic feet per minute per person can significantly increase the risk of SBS symptoms.
Chemical Emissions from Building Materials
Construction materials such as particle board, insulation, adhesives, paint, and carpeting release VOCs and formaldehyde as they age. These gases are linked to mucous-membrane irritation, headaches, and fatigue, especially in newly remodeled spaces or homes with laminate flooring.
Biological Contaminants
Bacteria, fungi, and mold spores thrive in humid or poorly maintained HVAC systems. When air circulates through contaminated ducts or coils, it spreads these microorganisms throughout the building, triggering allergic reactions, respiratory inflammation, and asthma-like symptoms.
Inadequate HVAC Maintenance
Clogged filters, dirty ductwork, or malfunctioning ventilation systems allow pollutants to build up. A study from the Berkeley Laboratory found that damp environments with visible mold growth increase the risk of respiratory illness by 30–50%.
Environmental & Psycho-Social Stressors
Temperature fluctuations, poor lighting, high noise levels, and workplace stress can worsen SBS symptoms. Studies show that employees in crowded offices or low-ventilation areas report more headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation.
Common Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome
If you’ve been wondering, “what is sick building syndrome”, then you’ve probably been wondering if you have it. While symptoms vary from person to person, most fall into five broad categories defined by the World Health Organization (WHO):
- Mucous-membrane irritation: Eye, nose, and throat discomfort
- Neurotoxic effects: Headaches, dizziness, and cognitive fatigue
- Asthma-like reactions: Coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath
- Skin irritation: Dryness, redness, or itching
- General malaise: Fatigue, nausea, or lack of focus
The key indicator is symptom relief after leaving the environment. That’s the hallmark sign of SBS.
How to Know If You Have SBS
- Multiple people in the same building reporting similar issues
- Persistent musty or chemical odors
- High humidity or visible mold growth
- Recent renovations or new furniture installations
- Poor HVAC performance or infrequent maintenance
Long-Term Risks of Poor Indoor Air
Ignoring the signs of SBS can lead to chronic respiratory, cardiovascular, and even neurological issues. Studies have linked poor indoor air quality to increased rates of asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and overall decreased cognitive performance. In workplaces, SBS has been associated with higher absenteeism, reduced productivity, and increased health costs, averaging over $480 per employee per year in lost efficiency.
How to Fix Sick Building Syndrome
The good news? SBS is usually reversible once its causes are identified. Here’s how to start improving your indoor air quality.
Measure VOCs, carbon dioxide, humidity, and particulate matter levels.
Eliminate mold spores and biological buildup.
Add HEPA and UV-C purification for long-term protection.
Increase Ventilation
Optimizing airflow prevents stagnation, controls humidity, and maintains balanced air.
Use Low-VOC Products
Choose safer paints, adhesives, cleaning products, and furnishings.
How We Can Help
At Planet Duct, we specialize in indoor air quality. Our certified technicians combine science-backed testing with proven remediation techniques to identify the source of SBS and restore clean, healthy air.
We offer a wide range of indoor air quality services, including:
- Air Duct Cleaning & Disinfecting: Removes dust, mold, and bacteria at the source.
- UV-C Air Purification Systems: Neutralizes microorganisms with ultraviolet germicidal light.
- HEPA Filtration & Air Purifiers: Captures VOCs and fine particles that irritate the lungs.
- Humidity & Airflow Balancing: Prevents microbial growth and stabilizes comfort levels year-round.
The key indicator is symptom relief after leaving the environment. That’s the hallmark sign of SBS.
Breathe Easier with Colorado’s Indoor Air Experts
Don’t let your home or office make you sick. If you suspect your building’s air may be affecting your health, Planet Duct can help.
Take our free indoor air quality test to find out what’s really in your air, or contact us right away to claim your free air quality consultation. Our NADCA-certified team will test, clean, and restore your air so you can live and work in comfort again.
FAQs
SBS refers to a range of health symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or throat irritation, that appear while you’re indoors and improve when you leave. It’s caused by poor indoor air quality from factors like trapped pollutants, inadequate ventilation, or microbial growth inside HVAC systems or ductwork.
The leading cause of SBS is poor ventilation. When fresh outdoor air can’t circulate properly, pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, and mold spores build up indoors. This can trigger everything from mucous-membrane irritation to chronic fatigue and respiratory issues.
Fixing SBS starts with identifying what’s in your air. From there, you can improve ventilation, clean and disinfect air ducts, install UV-C air purifiers, and upgrade to HEPA filtration to remove harmful contaminants.
There isn’t a single medical test for SBS, but professional indoor air quality testing can reveal the problem. Our team uses advanced testing tools to measure VOCs, humidity, mold spores, and particulate matter in your air. You can also start by taking our free indoor air quality quiz to identify possible warning signs.
Yes — according to the EPA and World Health Organization, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. Long-term exposure to pollutants like formaldehyde, bacteria, and mold can cause ongoing symptoms and increase the risk of chronic illness.
Planet Duct specializes in diagnosing and correcting the causes of sick building syndrome. Our NADCA-certified technicians provide air duct cleaning, disinfecting, and purification using industry-leading UV-C and HEPA technologies to remove the hidden pollutants in your air.