title: The sick building syndrome.
abstract: The phenomenon of 'sick building syndrome' is associated with several factors rather than a single readily and directly observable cause and various symptoms and behaviours rather than one clinical syndrome. Like another modern occupational ill health problem--repetitive strain injury--its existence may be questioned or doubted by the employers of staff who work in modern buildings. This article looks at what makes a building sick and how a sick building can affect its occupants. It guides staff in the recognition of the syndrome and suggests ways to reduce the risks of working in a building whose poor design or maintenance constitutes a hazard for occupants.
authors.affiliation: PHLS Headquarters, London.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tearle
mesh_terms: D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D006801:Humans; D018877:Sick Building Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control