YOU ARE NOW CONNECTED TO THE TOXLINE (1981 FORWARD, NON-ROYALTY) FILE. ==SICK BUILDING SYNDROME== 2 AUTHOR Brede-Weisflog B TITLE [Sick building syndrome] SOURCE Versicherungsmedizin; VOL 48, ISS 5, 1996, P170-4 (REF: 17) ABSTRACT If within a group of people in a building or inner rooms non-specific health symptoms that diminish or vanish when the person is leaving the room are diagnosed, we call it Sick-Building-Syndrome (SBS). Physical, chemical, biological and psychological factors are held responsible for causing SBS. Generally, the non-specific health syndromes are not regarded as disease-causers although employees definitely suffer from these syndromes. It is characteristic for SBS that neither chemical-toxicological measurings of harmful substances in the air of inner rooms nor measurings of said substances concerning the biological material show any results that prove a health damage. Especially people employed at video display unit have to face a considerable strain on their health which is individually and interindividually rated and borne. If SBS occurs in the field of work the problems that come with it have to be taken seriously. Physicians and technicians have to analyse the problem and eliminate the deficiencies connected herewith. Generally the well-being concerning the physical, intellectual and psychological area desired by employees can be restored--and the Sick-Building-Syndrome can be cured. This is a very long and difficult procedure. Chronic courses of the SBS do not occur very often. SBS cannot be accepted as an occupational disease. 7 AUTHOR Lundberg A TITLE Psychiatric aspects of air pollution. SOURCE Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg; VOL 114, ISS 2, 1996, P227-31 (REF: 39) ABSTRACT Psychological and toxic effects of air pollution can lead to psychiatric symptoms, including anxiety and changes in mood, cognition, and behavior. Increased levels of some air pollutants are accompanied by an increase in psychiatric admissions and emergency calls and, in some studies, by changes in behavior and a reduction in psychological well-being. Numerous toxic pollutants interfere with the development and adult functioning of the nervous system. Manifestations are often insidious or delayed, but they can provide a more sensitive indicator of toxic effects than cancer rates or mortality data. Other medical effects of air pollution, such as asthma, can indirectly affect psychological health. The sick building syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity are conditions with toxicologic and psychiatric aspects. Psychosocial stress can cause symptoms similar to those of organic mental disorders. Reactions to stress depend on cultural, individual, and situational variables. We must understand these factors to be able to alleviate and prevent the consequences of environmental trauma. Expanded research is recommended in three main areas: (1) how people perceive and cope with environmental health risks, (2) the effects of air pollution on behavior and neuropsychological functioning, and (3) neurotoxicologic evaluation of air pollutants with both behavioral and in vitro studies. 3 AUTHOR Bourbeau J AUTHOR Brisson C AUTHOR Allaire S TITLE Prevalence of the sick building syndrome symptoms in office workers before and after being exposed to a building with an improved ventilation system. SOURCE Occup Environ Med; VOL 53, ISS 3, 1996, P204-10 ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To find if the prevalence of symptoms associated with sick building syndrome decreased among office workers after moving to a building with improved ventilation (after controlling for potential confounders). METHODS: Workers in five buildings in 1991 all moved in 1992 into a single building with improved design, operation, and maintenance of the ventilation system. All buildings had sealed windows with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and humidification. Workers completed a self administered questionnaire during normal working hours in February 1991 and February 1992. The questionnaire encompassed symptoms of the eyes, nose and throat, respiratory system, skin, fatigue, headache, and difficulty concentrating, personal, psychosocial, and work related factors. During normal office hours of the same week environmental variables were measured. RESULTS: The study population comprised 1390 workers in 1991 and 1371 workers in 1992 who represented more than 80% of the eligible population. The prevalence of most symptoms decreased when workers moved to the new building: skin (54%), respiratory system (53%), nose and throat (46%), fatigue (44%), headache (37%), eyes (23%). These findings were all significant and remained generally similar after controlling for personal, psychosocial, and work related factors. Furthermore, more than 60% of workers symptomatic in 1991 were asymptomatic in 1992 for all types of symptoms. In contrast, less than 15% of workers were asymptomatic in 1991 but symptomatic in 1992 for all types of symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this study, the prevalence of most symptoms usually associated with the sick building syndrome decreased by 40% to 50% after workers were transferred to a building with an improved ventilation system. The results show that it is possible to diminish the prevalence of symptoms associated with the sick building syndrome among office workers occupying a building with mechanical ventilation, air conditioning, and sealed windows.