BUILDING COMPONENTS CONTRIBUTORS OF THE SICK BUILDING SYNDROME

The sick building syndrome has been widely discussed from epidemiologi cal perspectives. Although there is considerable difference in opinion regarding the concrete and objective evidence to support a distinct s ick building syndrome and/or building-related illness, much data indic ates that numerous variables within buildings can potentially influenc e human health. In this paper, we discuss in detail not only the poten tial and unique infectious diseases caused by Legionella, Pontiac feve r, Q fever, and influenza, but also the data implicating noninfectious etiologies of sick building syndrome and building-related illnesses. In addition, the role of psychological factors, mass hysteria, and ind oor pollution is discussed with respect to the nature of associations between exposure and symptoms. Finally, comparisons are made in differ ent building construction types of old versus new buildings to highlig ht changes in modern construction that may have led to a putative incr ease in work-related symptomatology.