For any business, staff members calling in sick can be a disaster, however, for small businesses, especially that don’t have enough manpower to cover an absent employee’s workload can be challenging. Though your business establishment is one of the top sources, there are countless scenarios that lead to your employees getting ill. Among other issues, lack of efficient cleaning can result in the spread of germs. While they are working in the office, employees sharing identical symptoms such as itchy eyes, sinus infection, or headaches, however, after they leave for the day or weekend the symptoms clear up, the workplace could be the source. With this in mind, we at D&M Carpet Cleaning would like to share the basics of sick building syndrome, commonly referred to as SBS.
Sick Building Syndrome Health Effects
Experiencing symptoms of illness or feeling sick for no obvious reason are being experienced by occupants in the same building is a condition known as sick building syndrome. Among the people that spend more time in the building, the symptoms can be more severe, but they all improve while they are away from it, since the link is time spent on the building. Do not confuse sick building syndrome other building-related illness. While SBS is used as a general term when people are undergoing different symptoms, building-related illness describes the patients experiencing allergic reactions and symptoms. Common SBS Symptoms are:
– Stuffy nose
– Sore throat
– Muscle pain
– Headaches
– Fatigue
– Dry cough
– Sneezing
– Poor concentration/memory
What are the Main Causes of Sick Building Syndrome?
Poor Ventilation: Poor air ventilation is common in older buildings. Circulating in the indoor air can be carbon monoxide and other harmful elements such as styrene and benzene produce bacteria and dangerous microorganisms, which then manifests visible signs of ailments as it attacks the respiratory system. Back in the early 1900s, for every person in the building back, the standard building ventilation was about 15 cubic feet per minute of outdoor air. In the 1973 with oil embargo, the standards changed, and it was cut to 5 cfm of outside air per person. These minimized outdoor air ventilation rates were presumed to be insufficient for the comfort and health of people. Therefore, the ventilation inadequacy be the reason for SBS.
Chemical Contaminants from Exterior Sources: The commercial space can be affected by intake vents that are poorly situated, allowing exterior pollutants, such as exhaust and plumbing vapors to seep in. Contaminates and pollutants can enter through open doors, windows, and other such openings. Combustion items can get inside a building from nearby garages as well.
Chemical Contaminants from Indoor Sources: The health of your office workers can be affected by the volatile organic compounds from cleaning agents and carpeting that can circulate inside. Environmental contaminants such as cigarette smoke emits high levels of volatile organic compounds which can lead to acute health problems and even cancer.
Contaminants Biological in Nature: Mildews, molds, germs, and other viruses may grow in stagnant water that has been collected in drain pans, humidifiers, or any place where water has accumulated. Symptoms linked to biological contamination include tightening of the chest, fever, and muscle pains.
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If you suspect your building of sick building syndrome or want to take steps to prevent, call D&M Carpet Cleaning for janitorial cleaning services.
