Assessment of Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms and its Risk Factors in Employees in Some Buildings of University

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of occupational Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Professor of Social Medicine, MashhadUniversity of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Sick building Syndrome is a Collection of neurological, irritancy, respiratory, dermatology & sensory symptoms that we can not relate them to the diagnosis of other diseases. With recognized people having sick building syndrome, we can make better environment for them at work & try to prevent the sickness.The aim of this study was assessment of symptoms of sick building syndrome & determination of indoor air pollutants in some buildings of university.
Materials and Methods
This study was a cross – sectional assessment, it accomplished with special methods for the measurement of indoor air pollutants & questionnaires. There was a maximum of 4 weeks time interval between the measurement and filling the questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5, chi –square, ANOVA using p< 0.05.
Results
A total of 23.3% of personnel’s had sick building syndrome,21.9% of them had only neurological, 10.3% irritancy, 5.2% respiratory, 6.8% dermatologic & 4% had sensory symptoms. Mean of the indoor air pollutants for CO2, Ozone, CO & NOx were 526.93, 0, 4.92,0 PPM respectively. Mean of formaldehyde was 0.15 μg/m3 respiratory particles 3.56 μg/m3, total particles 5.793 μg/m3, wet temperatures 14.28 ◦C & 22.27 ◦C for dry temperature. Humidity was 41.36%, air velocity 0.16 m/s, noise 58.38 dBA, light or luminosity 421.37 lux. Bacteria and fungi were 1.73 & 0 CFU/m3 respectively. In building C, neurological symptoms with increasing CO were shown.
Conclusion
The results of this study are similar to those from other studies & may be even more significant. It can be concluded that by making a better working environment and ventilatin of buildings, sick building syndrome could be avoided to some degree.

Keywords

References

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medical journal of mashhad university of medical sciences
Volume 53, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
May and June 2009
Pages 110-116

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