SICK BUILDING SYNDROME: INDOOR POLLUTANTS LEVELS AND PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMS AMONG WORKERS OF A SEALED OFFICE BUILDING

摘要

To evaluate the association of work-related symptoms with the concentration of the main indoor pollutants, a self-administered questionnaire was given to 1736 office workers of a 42 storey sealed building. Indoor pollutants were measured in 7 selected floors. Standardized international methodologies were used to investigate the indoor concentration of CO{sub}2, aerodispersoids and volatile organic compounds. Upper respiratory symptoms presented a great prevalence, around 40%, whereas lower airways manifestations frequencies were below 20%. The most prevalent symptoms were tiredness and headache, over 50%, although these were the least improved symptoms out of the work place. Nasopharyngeal and ophthalmic manifestations seem to be the more affected by the internal environment, for they present the highest indices of improvement out of the workplace. The building's levels of CO{sub}2, aerodispersoids and TVOCs were higher than the recommended. The great prevalence of Sick Building Syndrome symptoms may be related to the levels of indoor pollutants.