Sick Building Syndrome
Section: Cover story
How to quote
Márquez L Molina JT. Síndrome del Edificio Enfermo. Metas de Enfermería oct 2002; 5(8): 28-31
Authors
1Lourdes Mª Márquez Rodríguez, 2José Tomás Molina Flores
Position
1Diplomada en Enfermería. Supervisora de Quirófano Clínica Blanca Paloma. Huelva. 2Diplomado en Enfermería. Enfermero de empresa. MAZ Mutua de Accidentes de Trabajo y Enfermedad Profesional de la Seguridad Social nº 11, Huelva.
Contact address
MAZ Mutua de Accidentes de Trabajo y Enfermedad Profesional de la Seguridad Social nº 11. Avda. de Alemania, 122. 21002 Huelva.
Abstract
Have you ever thought about the origins of tiredness, itchy eyes, headache, etc, what feelings could ensue after remaining in enclose, badly ventilated spaces for certain periods of time? Popular thought leads us to believe that these signs are evidence of boredom or of the type of task we are performing. However, the fact is that these signs, combined with other risk factors, are the cause of a syndrome known as Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).
SBS as we know it today, has only been recognised since the early 80´s, when the WHO ( World Health Organisation) defined it. Nevertheless, its origins date back to 1970 and the consequences of the boom in consciousness about energy saving. At the same time, the construction industry began to make building whilst controlling the materials used, taking maximum advantage of available space.This, combined with different working conditions, led to the appearance of the first symptoms of discomfort in employees and people who spent time in buildings.
In this article we analyse the causes, symptoms, and risk factors of which this syndrome is comprised. Nowadays, in spite of the fact that this syndrome has been defined by the WHO, it continues to be unrecognised by the majority of health organisations.
Keywords:
sick building syndromeventilation systems
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