Texas Building Science Experts Resolve Sick Building Syndrome Cases across the Gulf Coast

As far back as 1984, a World Health Organization Committee report suggested that up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality (IAQ).  In some of these buildings, the term sick building syndrome (SBS) has been 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. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building.
 
In some of these buildings the condition is temporary, but others may have long-term problems. Issues may have developed when a building was operated or maintained in a manner that was inconsistent with its original design or prescribed operating procedures. Other times, problems are also a result of poor building design or occupant activities.
 
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indicators of SBS include:
·       Building occupants complaining of symptoms associated with acute discomfort, these could include headaches; eye, nose or throat irritation; dry cough; dry or itchy skin; dizziness and nausea; difficulty in concentrating; fatigue; and sensitivity to odors.
·       The cause of the symptoms is not known.
·       Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.
 
“There can be a wide range of causes for SBS,” said Hollis L. Horner, President, Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.  “These frequently include issues associated with inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor or outdoor sources, and biological pollutants such as mold.  Any of these may act alone or in combination, and may supplement other complaints such as inadequate temperature, humidity or lighting.  At IEC, our building science experts are trained to identify these and other potential problems through investigative procedures and indoor environmental sampling techniques. These services are available across Texas and the Gulf States.”
 
IEC recently sponsored an educational video about sick building syndrome that can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/AOMC2ois8VU
 
To learn more about IEC’s SBS and IAQ testing and consulting services, please visit www.iecinc.net, email ncancino@iecinc.net or call (877) 432-8378.
 
About Indoor Environmental Consultants, Inc.
IEC began operations in 2001 with some of the nation’s most seasoned professional indoor air quality consultants who already had over 70 years of combined experience.  The indoor environmental quality firm specializes in field investigations and assessments of commercial, institutional and residential buildings.  Their services, related to fungal (mold), chemical, bacterial, asbestos and particulate pollutants, are offered throughout Texas, the Gulf Coast and the Southwest. IEC is licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services as a mold assessment company (ACO0114) and an asbestos consultant agency (100329).

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail