Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in Iran: SBS affects on Office Workers

The term Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. In 1984, world health organization (WHO) indicated that up to 30% of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be linked to symptoms of SBS. SBS has variety of causes but HVAC system has the most influence on SBS, furthermore, air contaminants, mold and lighting system can cause SBS symptoms among office workers. Symptoms associated with acute discomfort, e.g., headache; eye, nose, or throat irritation; dry and itchy skin, which are known as SBS symptoms are well reported amongst people who work in offices in Iran.Unfortunately, in Iran, there is less attention to SBS; however, there are worldwide attentions to this matter. This paper will focus on Iran’s office buildings which affected by SBS and debate about SBS and its prevailing symptoms among office workers in Iran and will recommend some methods to prevent this matter in selected case study office buildings.

Keywords:

Sick Building Syndrome , Office Workers , Iran , HVAC , Prevailing Symptoms