Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is MOST characteristically caused by:

• A Legionella pneumophila growing in HVAC cooling towers
• B Radon gas accumulation from granite flooring
• C Carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion of LPG
• D Outgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic building materials and inadequate ventilation ✓

Explanation

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a condition where occupants of a building experience acute health effects (headache, eye/nose/throat irritation, fatigue) linked to time spent in the building without identification of a specific illness or causative agent. It is most characteristically caused by VOCs outgassing from synthetic materials (carpets, adhesives, paints, furniture), combined with inadequate ventilation (recirculated air). Legionella causes Building-Related Illness (BRI) — a distinct entity with identified pathogen. Radon causes lung cancer risk over years. CO toxicity is an acute poisoning.

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.