This book discusses the causes of how a building can be considered “sick” will be explained and discussed. The prevention and some solutions for the syndrome, known as SBS, will be discussed. This book examines all aspects of SBS, not just air quality.
Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has in the past, defined indoor air pollution as one of the most significant environmental threats to human health? In 1994, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) proposed a set of indoor air quality standards.
The causes of how a building can be considered “sick” will be explained and discussed. The prevention and some solutions for the syndrome, known as SBS, will be discussed. The ventilation issues that promote SBS will be broached. Some ways to help prevent or fix SBS will also be explained. I will review methods for the prevention of SBS and offer some solutions to help your building be a healthier place. This will benefit you and all the people who work, live, or play in the building. In the last chapter I will explain in detail about my plan for the creation of a Team to monitor your building and any complaints regarding SBS.
Excerpt
First of all, here are some cold and illness quick facts to prime your mind. I want to try to get you to do some thinking, as you start reading this book. Did you know that in the course of a year, individuals in the United States suffer roughly 1 billion colds? The United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), estimates that every year, approximately 35 to 50 million Americans get the Flu. The Flu season usually is worse from mid-November through March. Most people recover from the flu; however the CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized on an annual basis. Also, roughly 36,000 people die every year in this country from the flu and its complications on a yearly basis. In the United States, most colds occur during the fall and winter seasons. Beginning in early September, the incidence of colds increases slowly for a few weeks and remains high until April. The seasonal variation in September may directly relate to the opening of schools. As you read, you will hopefully develop an understanding why this occurs. Part of the reason is that during the winter season, cold weather causes many people to spend more time indoors. This increases the chances that viruses will spread from person to person. Also the seasonal changes vary relative humidity levels. This also may affect the prevalence of colds. Unfortunately for us the most common cold-causing virus survives better in lower humidity levels.
