What Is Sick Building Syndrome?
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) describes a pattern of symptoms — headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, respiratory discomfort — experienced by building occupants that improve when they leave the building. Unlike Building Related Illness, SBS cannot be attributed to a specific pathogen or contaminant, making investigation more complex.
Common Contributing Factors
After investigating hundreds of SBS cases over 27 years, Green Air Monitoring has identified the most frequent contributing factors:
- Inadequate ventilation — insufficient fresh air supply, often combined with poorly maintained HVAC systems
- Temperature and humidity imbalance — thermal discomfort amplifies perception of air quality problems
- VOC exposure — off-gassing from new furniture, carpets, paint, or cleaning products
- Biological contamination — mould growth in ductwork, AHUs, or concealed areas
- Dust accumulation — settled and airborne particulates from inadequate cleaning or ductwork contamination
How We Investigate
Our SBS investigation follows a structured protocol:
- Occupant symptom mapping — identifying patterns by location, time, and activity
- Environmental monitoring — CO₂, temperature, humidity, VOCs, and particulates measured against published guidelines
- Ventilation performance assessment — airflow rates, fresh air provision, and AHU condition
- Source identification — targeted investigation of potential contaminant sources
Moving From Complaint to Resolution
The key to resolving SBS is objective data. Our reports give facilities managers clear, evidence-based findings and prioritised recommendations — enabling informed decision-making and demonstrable action. This reduces ongoing complaints and protects building operators from escalation.