Did you know that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors? With so much time spent inside, it’s essential to make sure buildings will have a positive impact on everyone’s health.
What Is Sick Building Syndrome?
Illness isn’t the only thing that can make you feel sick. Your house, school, and workplace play a significant role in your health, too. When you spend too much time inside a building, you can get headaches and develop respiratory issues due to poor ventilation or improper temperature control: This is called sick building syndrome and it affects millions of people worldwide.
Other common symptoms of sick building syndrome are watering eyes, hoarseness, dizziness, and itchy skin. If you experience these symptoms after prolonged time indoors, you may be suffering from sick building syndrome
Main Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States (EPA), these symptoms are not necessarily caused by the building, but they might be exacerbated by indoor air quality issues. Here are the main causes of sick building syndrome:
- Inadequate ventilation (E.g.: When heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems don’t distribute air effectively)
- Chemical contaminants (E.g.: Copy machines, pesticides, and cleaning agents may emit volatile organic compounds that are harmful to people)
- Biological contaminants (E.g.: Poor cleaning may result in bacteria, mold, and pollen accumulation in ducts and humidifiers.
How to Make Buildings Healthier
Now that you understand the problem, it’s time to think about how to make buildings healthier. Here are some tips::
- Choose supplies, furnishings, and building materials with low chemical emissions.
- Keep temperature consistent through the day and follow recommended standards.
- Vacuum and clean surfaces regularly to prevent dust and pests.
- Test water quality and install a water purification system, if necessary.
- Protect people against outdoor noises and ensure good room acoustics.
We hope this information will help you see buildings in a new light. If you need inspiration, here are five great examples of buildings designed to make people healthier.
At CREED LA, part of our mission is to ensure that the construction industry in Los Angeles supports projects that positively impact the community and considers local and environmental impacts. That’s why we support green building initiatives in Los Angeles and beyond. To find out more about how CREED LA is committed to a better LA, visit us online or call (877) 810-7473 today.