How can we improve the health and comfort of our buildings?

Why does a building get sick and how can comfort be achieved?

In 1970, the World Health Organization (WHO) began to detect health problems in some people related to spending prolonged periods in certain buildings. It's not just about the persistence of known viral diseases but also the emergence of new ones that deteriorate health and comfort inside these properties. This is what is known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which usually appears more frequently in office buildings. According to the World Health Organization, the buildings that suffer from it have common characteristics as listed below:

1. They have a forced ventilation system common to the entire building or to very large sectors. They usually have air renewal intakes located in inadequate places.
2. Normally they are buildings that have used lightweight and inexpensive construction systems.
3. The interior surfaces are largely covered with textile materials, on floors, walls, and in some decorative elements.
4. They use energy-saving systems and their interior remains relatively warm with a homogeneous thermal environment.
5. They are characterized by being buildings that are practically airtight and do not have windows that can facilitate additional ventilation.

Associated diseases

1. Patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis worsen when they stay in these buildings either due to their exposure to various allergens present in the environment or due to the micro-environmental conditions inside with adverse humidity or temperature conditions.
2. Infectious diseases: the transmission of infectious agents occurs either through the air conditioning systems or by person-to-person contact. Viral diseases are also caused by the dispersion of antigens from the building itself, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, humidifier fever, etc. Toxic illnesses may arise from the diffusion of irritants or volatile toxins present in the environment such as CO2 or other substances like formaldehyde. These contaminating elements are released by wall paints or furniture, by technological devices located inside, or by heating or cooling systems that are in poor condition.
3. Finally, the Sick Building Syndrome is manifested when a high number of people report a set of nonspecific but well-defined symptoms that disappear when they leave the building. It includes a group of symptoms in the respiratory system, dermatological, ocular, or systemic problems.

Based on current knowledge about Sick Building Syndrome, it does not seem likely that the discomforts and diseases related to it can be completely eradicated. However, acceptable health and comfort conditions can be achieved inside these buildings. To prevent this syndrome, attention must be paid to certain aspects of design, installation, and maintenance of air conditioning and ventilation systems, the work environment in general, and the mental aspects of the personnel who work inside the affected buildings.