What is sick building syndrome?
In one line: "sick building syndrome" (SBS) describes headaches, tiredness, and eye/nose/throat irritation that people link to time spent in a particular building — and that ease after leaving. It's often connected to poor ventilation, VOCs, dust and stuffy air, so better air quality is part of the answer.
The symptoms
Typical complaints include headaches, fatigue and difficulty concentrating, irritated eyes, blocked or runny nose, dry throat, and skin irritation — with the tell-tale pattern that they improve when the person leaves the building. It's most associated with offices and other sealed, air-conditioned workplaces, but homes can show it too.
What's thought to cause it
- Poor ventilation — too little fresh air, letting CO₂, VOCs and odours build up.
- Chemical pollutants — VOCs from furnishings, cleaning products, printers and off-gassing.
- Biological factors — mould, dust and dust-mite debris.
- Physical factors — dryness, temperature, lighting and stress interact with the above.
It's usually multi-factorial, which is why no single fix "cures" it — you improve the air on several fronts.
How air quality helps
Better ventilation is the foundation. On top of that, a HEPA + carbon purifier reduces the particle and VOC load, and monitoring with an air-quality monitor helps you see what's high. See the office guide and how to improve indoor air quality for the practical steps.
Next step
Tackling stuffy office or home air? Browse HEPA + carbon units in the CleanAirKits store.
FAQ
Can an air purifier help sick building syndrome? It helps by cutting particles and VOCs, but ventilation is the foundation — SBS is multi-factorial, so improve air on several fronts.
How do I know if it's sick building syndrome? The classic sign is symptoms that appear in a specific building and ease after you leave. Persistent symptoms should be checked by a professional.
General information, not medical advice. Persistent symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional.