Building Related Illness

Condition
Building related illness (BRI) is a medical condition which is clinically diagnosed as being directly caused by airborne contaminants. Symptoms may exist only in one room or can be within a whole building. The difference between building related illness and sick building syndrome (SBS), is that with SBS you develop symptoms when in a particular building which cannot be related to a specific illness.

Another difference between BRI and SBS is that with BRI your symptoms may take a long period of time to be alleviated when you have left the building. If you are suffering with SBS the symptoms usually alleviate soon after leaving the building. Rather than symptoms being acute as with SBS, BRI symptoms can become chronic.

As with SBS, tightly sealed buildings like offices, new builds or rooms without windows don’t allow for continuous natural ventilation. Airborne contaminants and pollutants can then build up to high levels all the while circulating as we breathe. Interiors with heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) are more at risk as the contaminants and pollutants enter the ducting, the damaging organisms multiple and are spread back into the interiors in what becomes an increasing cycle of indoor pollutants.

General building related illness symptoms
* Cough
* Flu like symptoms
* Tight chest
* Breathing problems
* Fever
* Chills
* Muscle aches

Examples of building related illnesses

Medical conditions from identifiable causes

* Legionnaires' disease and Pontiac fever (Legionellosis)
Condition
Infectious diseases caused by inhaling droplets of water which have the bacteria “motile thermophilic” present. In total there are approx 40 species of bacteria. Legionnaires' disease symptoms may develop after 10 days of incubation. However Pontiac fever symptoms could take between a few hours to a few days to develop. Typically found in building plumbing, water and HVAC ducting systems – anywhere where moisture is present. Can be fatal.
Symptoms
Flu like symptoms, fever, headache, chills, cough, breathing problems, muscular aches and pains. Advanced symptoms could include sickness, diarrhoea, disorientation and confusion.

Medical conditions from exposure to known substances

* Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning
Condition
A toxic illness. An odour and colourless vapour that prevents oxygen being distributed around your body through the blood. It is an emission created by burning of materials and fuel containing carbon. Especially apparent in space heaters, stoves, fireplaces and water heaters in the home. Poisoning occurs when the level of CO becomes too high as a result of a lack of ventilation or faulty appliances etc. Advanced inhalation can cause fatality.
Symptoms
Flu like symptoms, headache, tiredness, stomach ache, sickness, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness, disorientation, confusion. Advanced symptoms include loss of consciousness, convulsions, raised heart rate, blurred vision and chest pains. Symptoms are often confused with other illnesses and you may not recognise or suspect milder symptoms.

* Asthma
Condition
An allergic condition which causes your airways to become irritated and inflamed. This causes the muscles to tighten and brings on wheezing.
Symptoms
Breathless, wheezing, tight chest, cough. Advanced symptoms of an asthma attack are fast heart rate, breathing difficulties, fingernails and lips become blue, difficulty talking, tight chest and neck areas.

* Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Condition
An allergic condition. Acutely this condition is an irritation of the lungs from airborne contaminants which cause an inflammation of your airway. Acute symptoms occur within 4 to 10 hours of inhalation of high levels of contaminants. Chronically this condition causing scarring of the lungs (also known as fibrosis) after continual inhalation of very low levels of contaminants over time.
Acute symptoms
Flu like symptoms, cough, fever, tight chest, chills and muscular aches and pains.
Chronic symptoms
Cough and shortness of breath.

* Humidifier fever
Condition
A toxic and allergic illness, although studies of the condition are inconclusive of the exact cause. Caused by a combination of pathogens and allergens found in both residential and commercial humidifiers and HVAC systems. Symptoms develop within a few hours of inhalation of contaminants and alleviate within 2 days.
Symptoms
Flu like symptoms, cough, fever, tight chest, chills and muscular aches and pains.

* Asbestos related diseases
Please read my article on asbestos to find out more information on this hazardous substance and the risk of illness it causes.

* Multiple chemical sensitivity
Please read my article on multiple chemical sensitivity to find out more information on this building related condition.

As you read through these examples, it is clear to see that the symptoms are very similar to each other. Medical diagnosis of the exact causes can be difficult when symptoms are varied and common with other ailments.

Contributing Factors
Please read the contributing factors section written in my article on SBS as these also apply to BRI.

BRI factors are separated into two categories; medical conditions from identifiable causes and medical conditions from exposure to known substances. Symptoms are caused and made worse by low levels of indoor air quality and indoor air pollution from inhalation of chemical and biological contaminants. Other factors such as physical, organisational, psychological and psychosomatic also contribute to BRI.

The building itself plays a large part in the increased risk of developing a BRI, from the exterior to the interior. Building factors may be poor architectural design, deterioration of structure, interior surface finishes, defective operating systems and absence of building & mechanical maintenance. The largest risks as mentioned earlier are from HVAC systems, especially systems which have not been regularly maintained, cleaned and repaired.

Prevention & Solution
Please read the prevention and solution section written in my article on SBS as these also apply to BRI. In summary there are a combination of ways to increase the air quality either at home or work:

Building construction
Emphasis on holistic architecture and whole building design to provide a harmonious and balanced design for both the occupant and environment. The use of non toxic building materials. Ongoing checks, maintenance and repair of HVAC systems.

Interiors
The use of non toxic materials, finishes and products. Using surface materials and finishes which allow the walls to breathe, helping indoor humidity levels. Constant and fresh ventilation. Ongoing checks, maintenance and repair of fans, humidifiers, heating and cooling systems.

Occupant
The use of effective space planning, natural light and organisation to prevent stress and psychological symptoms.

Building related illness - What to do next

A range of specialists can help you if symptoms of building related illnesses continue in your workplace (e.g. building service engineers of occupational hygienists). Your company may already have measures in place, check with your manager.

As with all symptoms, please seek medical advice from a doctor.

Alternatively contact me for expert advice on building related illness and your own home, holistic interior design and how to improve your own health and wellbeing through redesign and refurbishment of your home or workplace.

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