Work-related illness in offices: A proposed model of the sick building syndrome

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(89)90020-2· OSTI ID:6710531

Hedge, A ^[1]; Burge, P S; Robertson, A S ^[2]; Wilson, S ^[3]; Harris-Bass, J ^[4]

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1. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA)
2. East Birmingham Hospital (England)
3. Building Use Studies Ltd., London (England)
4. R.M.J.M. Ltd., London (England)

A nationwide survey of 4,373 office workers at 47 office sites was conducted to assess the prevalence of the sick building syndrome and to investigate associated factors. The office buildings sampled included those ventilated by either natural, mechanical, or forced air, or by air conditioning or some form of comfort cooling, including fan-coil, induction, and constant or variable air volume systems. Results showed a higher prevalence of reports of work-related symptoms in air conditioned buildings than in unconditioned buildings. Symptom prevalence was higher in buildings ventilated with water-based cooling systems, e.g., fan-coil or induction systems, than in buildings with all-air systems. A significant relationship was found between the type of humidification used in air-conditioned buildings (none, evaporative/spray, or steam) and the prevalence of itchy eyes, stuffy nose, lethargy, breathing difficulty, and chest tightness. Results also suggest that the sick building syndrome is associated with a variety of individual characteristics (sex, age), occupational factors (job type, length of video display unit use, occupancy duration in building, job stress), architectural features (type of office, type of building ventilation system), and psychological processes (perceived environmental control, perceived ambient conditions, perceived environmental satisfaction). A path analytic model is presented that suggests that psychological processes mediate the association between individual, occupational, and environmental characteristics and reports of the sick building syndrome.

• OSTI ID: 6710531
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Journal Name: Environment International; (USA) Vol. 15:1-6; ISSN 0160-4120; ISSN ENVID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560300 -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR CONDITIONERS
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
ENVIRONMENT
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HUMIDITY
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
OFFICE BUILDINGS
POLLUTION
SURVEYS
SYMPTOMS
VENTILATION