Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to a condition where occupants of a building experience non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, and respiratory issues, which often improve when they leave the building. A study investigated SBS prevalence and its association with perceived indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in both aboveground and underground workspaces in Singapore. The findings revealed a decline in SBS prevalence from 17.9% to 8.5% over 12 months, with fatigue and drowsiness being the most common symptoms. This research highlighted that higher satisfaction with indoor air quality was linked to reduced SBS risk in aboveground workspaces, while better perceived temperature comfort was associated with lower SBS odds in underground environments. The study underscores the importance of addressing IEQ factors like air quality and thermal comfort to mitigate SBS symptoms, offering insights for healthier building policies. These results emphasise the role of occupant perceptions in shaping workplace health outcomes.

References

Thach T-Q, et al. Building and Environment. 2019;166:106420.