Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
D. Sick/tight/problem buildings
Outbreaks of illness symptoms with high prevalence rates in northern Euro-
pean and North American buildings in the late 1970s and early- to mid-1980s
led investigators to conclude that such buildings were “sick.” Other build-
ings where no complaints were reported were thought to be “healthy.” Under
the WHO characterization, a sick building was distinguished from a normal
one by the prevalence of symptoms, i.e., in a sick building a large percentage
of occupants report symptoms. Based on this characterization, WHO con-
cluded that 30% of new buildings in the early 1980s were sick buildings. The
term, “sick building,” is still widely (and loosely) used by laypersons to
describe buildings subject to health-related indoor air quality/indoor envi-
ronment (IAQ/IE) complaints.
The terms, “tight building” and “tight building syndrome,” were used
in the late 1970s and early 1980s when it was widely believed that SBS-type
phenomena were due to the implementation of energy conservation mea-
sures in the design, construction, and operation of buildings. These terms
were unfortunately simplistic and wrongly described the true nature of
building-/work-related health and comfort complaints in buildings.
Buildings vary significantly in symptom prevalence rates that may be
associated with the building and work environment. A high prevalence of
symptoms may result in complaints to building management requesting that
an investigation be conducted. Such buildings can best be described as “prob-
lem buildings.” The term, “problem building,” is an appropriate character-
ization of any building subject to complaints, whether complaints are limited
to a few individuals or involve a much larger building population. Because
of difficulties inherent in defining a sick building and the negative connota-
tion this term conveys to both building occupants and managers/owners,
the term, “problem building,” better describes an indoor environment in
which there are building-related health, comfort, and odor complaints.
II. Field investigations
An apparent relationship between building/work environments and occu-
pant illness complaints was initially determined from building investigations
conducted by governmental agencies and private consultants providing
industrial hygiene or IAQ/IE services.
Field investigations are conducted at the request of building owners.
They vary considerably in methodologies employed, training and experience
of those conducting the investigation, and success in identifying potential
causal factors.
A. NIOSH investigations
Field investigations of >1000 problem buildings have been conducted in the
U.S. since 1978 by health hazard evaluation teams of the National Institute
of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). These three-member investiga-
