Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is most commonly caused by inadequate ventilation combined with accumulation of which indoor pollutants?
- A Carbon monoxide from indoor combustion
- B Radon gas seeping from building materials
- C Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biological contaminants recirculated by HVAC systems ✓
- D Lead dust from deteriorating old paint
Correct answer: C. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and biological contaminants recirculated by HVAC systems
Explanation
Sick Building Syndrome results from poor ventilation combined with accumulation of VOCs (from furnishings, adhesives, cleaning agents) and biological contaminants (molds, bacteria) recirculated by HVAC systems. Symptoms — headache, eye irritation, fatigue, difficulty concentrating — are temporally linked to building occupancy and improve upon leaving. SBS differs from Building-Related Illness (BRI), which has identifiable causative agents such as Legionella pneumophila causing Legionnaires' disease.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.