Can work be making you sick? If you and your co-workers are experiencing unexplained symptoms that only occur when you spend time in the workplace, you might be suffering from sick building syndrome. Sick building syndrome or SBS is situations when building occupants experience acute health effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building with no specific illness or cause can be identified. Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Services outlines what you need to know about SBS to best deal with it in your workplace.
How Do You Know if You have Sick Building Syndrome?
Symptoms that could be associated to Sick Building Syndrome could be the following:
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Dry cough
• Nausea
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Eye irritation
• Skin rashes
• Nose irritation (nosebleeds, runny nose, or congestion)
• Unable to concentrate
• Sensitive to smells
Some people believe SBS is a virus. However, if you have cold symptoms or other aliment your symptoms stay with you at work and home. Whereas if you have SBS you most likely feel relief after leaving the building. While away from the building you feel better. The symptoms of SBS may appear as individual symptoms in any combination or can even vary day by day. Sometimes you may feel a specific symptom, while another coworker may feel a different SBS symptom.
How to Prevent Sick Building Syndrome
First you need to identify some of the sick building syndrome causes. According to the EPA there are many causes which can include
• Poor ventilation
• Indoor or outdoor sources of chemical contaminants
• Biological contaminants which can include mold and bacteria
Items can also include
• Poorly maintained HVAC systems
• Dust, smoke, fumes
• Problems with cleanliness
• Layout of office furniture such as crowed desks space
How Can You Resolve the Problem of Sick Building Syndrome?
• Better ventilation
• Maintenance on HVAC systems regularly
• Use quality HVAC filters with high-load capacity and change filters regularly
• If water-stained ceiling tiles appear have them replaced to prevent mold and mildew
• If water-stained carpets appear have the carpet replaced
• Regularly clean all tile and tile grout to help prevent mold growth
• Remove all biological contaminants from the building or around the building
• Good professional cleaning by Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Services
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By identifying the problem to SBS and taking the necessary solutions to improve the quality in the building such as cutting down on the presence of dust mites, mold, pollen, and other allergens is another way to help reduce the symptoms of sick building syndrome. Regular cleanings by Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Services can also help keep the building looking fresh and welcoming to customers and employees alike. At the end of the day, a healthy building is a clean building. With a clean work environment, you will help boost employee’s morale, reduce sick days and even increase productivity. If you are concerned your building may have issues that could contribute to sick building syndrome symptoms, contact the professionals at Busy Bee Cleaning & Janitorial Services to help keep your staff, customers, and guests healthy when entering your building. Call us today!
