Paris: The so called sick building syndrome does not exist. But however, a study suggests that its cold-like symptoms can be mainly pinned to job stress, dissatisfaction and poor office relationships.
Sick building syndrome is a popular yet vague term to describe headaches, coughs, tired or itchy eyes, runny noses or inexplicable tiredness that are usually blamed on poor air quality in the office.
More than 4,000 British civil servants aged 42-62 and working in 44 different buildings across London, were questioned about their health. They were asked to list any symptoms of sick building syndrome, the physical properties of their offices and the demands of their job, including levels of support at work.
Independent field workers also assessed the buildings separately. They checked the temperature, lighting intensity, levels of airborne bacteria, fungi and dust, humidity, ventilation flow, noise level and concentrations of carbon-dioxide (CO2) and airborne organic chemicals.
One in seven of the men and nearly one in five of the women respondents reported five or more symptoms of the syndrome.
However, there was a minor evidence of those who reported high levels of the symptoms worked in offices that were too hot and dry and relatively had high levels of airborne germs and dust.
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