Could your home be making you sick? Understand Sick Building Syndrome, its symptoms like fatigue and irritation, and common causes such as radon, asbestos, and household chemicals.
Have you been feeling a little under the weather lately and can’t quite put your finger on why? Maybe it’s not just a bug going around, but something in your own home making you sick. We’ll be looking at this a little closer.
About something called Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), let’s see what that’s all about.
Sick Building Syndrome
It’s actually pretty common, this thing called sick building syndrome, and basically, it’s when you feel unwell in a particular building, but feel totally fine when you leave it. But, um, it’s actually hard to pinpoint exactly what’s causing it, as there are generally many factors at play in most buildings—making figuring out the root cause difficult. Even identifying it can be tricky.
It’s basically a collection of symptoms that show up in several people within a building, without a clear reason for those symptoms. For example:
- Fatigue and tiredness.
- Irritation in the eyes, nose, and throat.
- Persistent cough.
- Headaches.
- Skin irritation.
- Dizziness.
The thing to remember is that these symptoms usually get better after you leave the building.
Causes of Sick Building Syndrome
These causes are often a bit, well, vague. Pinpointing exactly what’s behind Sick Building Syndrome can be tricky, but, here are a few potential culprits:
1. Secondhand Smoke
If you’re regularly exposed to secondhand smoke from other people’s cigarettes or your own, you’re more at risk for these issues:
- Lung cancer.
- Breathing problems.
- Issues with your respiratory system.
- Heart problems.
So, try not to smoke inside your home, yeah?
2. Radon Gas
Radon’s a sneaky one; it’s odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Exposure to it can increase your risk of lung cancer, especially if you’re a smoker. Radon gas comes from the breakdown of certain soils or materials used in construction over time.
3. Asbestos
If your home was built between 1920 and 1978, there’s a chance it contains asbestos, often found in older building materials like flooring and insulation. Exposure can increase your risk of lung disease and other lung-related illnesses.
Some home inspection and construction experts specialize in inspecting and removing asbestos if necessary.
4. Lead
Lots of new houses use pipes and fixtures that are built without lead in them, however, many older houses still contain lead pipes, something that’s especially harmful to children. So, it’s important for kids to get checked for lead levels in their blood.
Another source is toys, where some toy manufacturers use lead in the manufacturing of the toys. This can cause release of the lead particles in the air after using the toys for a long time, which is potentially dangerous to your health in general, and especially dangerous if there are children, or a pregnant woman, at home.
5. Gases from Appliances
Like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, can cause symptoms similar to the flu or respiratory issues, and can lead to death.
To avoid this cause of Sick Building Syndrome, we suggest:
- Avoid using appliances that create smoke without proper ventilation, such as a gas stove or fireplace, inside the house.
- Keep any indoor appliances clean and maintained regularly.
- Clean indoor appliances often and provide proper ventilation for them.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector inside your house.
6. Water Damage
Water damage can be a factor in Sick Building Syndrome. So, take these steps to make sure your water is clean and safe:
- Test well water if that’s your water source, to check for any bacteria or nitrates.
- Test for any harmful chemicals like radon, or other chemical materials, that can be present and causing water contamination.
7. Household Chemicals
Some chemicals can be harmful if not used correctly. So, try to choose less toxic chemicals for most common tasks, and keep them away from children and pets, and ventilate these materials outside.
8. Pests
If pests are causing you to feel ill, consider these tips:
- Hire a professional to get rid of them, instead of using chemical materials when trying to clean and disinfect small spaces.
- Don’t keep trash indoors, but keep it outside in a place where pests can’t get to it.
- Keep your food stored safely in closed bags, and clean up food leftovers regularly.
9. Allergic Reactions
Parts of the house and items that cause dust can be a home to mold and dust mites, which can cause allergic reactions. So, in these situations, we suggest:
- Don’t use any electronic air fresheners.
- Fix any issues that can cause any leaks.
- Keep pets out of the house.
- Put anti-allergy covers on mattresses, and pillows.
10. Food Poisoning
Food needs to be stored in a way that ensures it’s stored safely, to protect you from food poisoning, which can be the cause of Sick Building Syndrome in your home. Be sure to follow these tips:
- Always set your fridge’s temperature so it’s around 4.4 degrees Celsius.
- Put any cooked foods or leftovers in the fridge quickly and keep them outside only for a short period.
- Clean surfaces often that are used for cutting food with water, and soap.
- Avoid eating a lot of meat, oils and fish with any food you’re not going to cook.
- Don’t eat raw meat, or other food which is not cooked well.
So, as we are living in an age where there may be multiple biological risks more severe than ever before, we must be equipped with the most advanced technology to ensure we limit risks especially when making them accessible to our environment before they surround us.
Testimonials
I used to feel so drained and had headaches all the time when I was at home. After reading this, I realized it could be my old carpets. I replaced them, and wow, what a difference! My energy levels are up, and the headaches are gone. Never thought my home could be the thing making me sick.
Our family was always sneezing and coughing, and we couldn’t figure out why. Turns out, our old gas stove was the culprit. We switched to an electric one, and it’s like a whole new house. Everyone’s breathing easier now.
Myth & Facts
Myth: Sick Building Syndrome is just in offices and workplaces.
Fact: While it’s often talked about in commercial settings, your home can definitely have Sick Building Syndrome too.
Question: How can I know for sure if my house is making me sick?
Answer: If you consistently feel better when you leave your house and worse when you return, it’s worth investigating. Consider professional testing for mold, radon, and other potential issues.
Question: Is Sick Building Syndrome all in my head?
Answer: Nope. While stress can play a role in how you feel, Sick Building Syndrome is caused by real, physical factors in your environment. It’s not just you!
Reading about all this, it’s made me think about the air quality in my own place! Time to check the filters, maybe get an air purifier, and make sure things are spick and span. Because, honestly, feeling good in your own home? Priceless.
