It is no secret that illnesses often travel quickly once they manage to enter a building, affecting one worker and then a lot more which leads to a sudden drop in productivity due to mass absenteeism. Those who manage or own office buildings refer to this phenomenon as sick building syndrome (SBS), and many have had trouble keeping it at bay for years without getting anywhere close to a solution. In this article, we delve deeper into what SBS is, its causes, and how you can leverage routine office cleaning to deal with it once and for all.
What is Sick Building Syndrome?
SBS is described as situations wherein occupants experience acute health effects that seem to be linked to how long they spend time in a building, yet the cause and even specific illnesses cannot be identified. Essentially, the building itself is making people sick.
Knowing the difference between SBS and other ailments is vital as many of the former’s symptoms often overlap with that of the common cold. SBS typically comes with issues such as throat and chest irritation, fatigue, and difficulties in concentrating. Moreover, if employees cannot discern the root of their sickness ever after checking with their doctor, SBS is most likely the culprit.
Employees who experience SBS for prolonged periods of time could also find their health condition further turn for the worst in severe cases. Combine this with high stress in the workplace, which has been linked to heart attacks and similar serious conditions along with various mental issues in some people, and it is easy to see why SBS must be taken seriously.
Sick Building Syndrome: Causes And Symptoms
Research has shown that poor indoor air quality is one of the most common cause of SBS, with poor ventilation systems and unchecked airborne contaminants being its driving factors. Thus, it should go without saying that breathing in polluted air for hours takes a toll on anyone’s immune system. Beyond air quality, there many other less obvious causes that contribute to SBS, namely:
- Inadequate environmental cleanliness
- Poor lighting
- Low humidity
- High temperatures or frequent temperature changes
Moving on to physical symptoms, while these generally subside upon leaving the building, the common ones that often manifest while they are indoors include:
- Fatigue
- Coughing
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Itchy and dry skin
How Proper Office Cleaning Helps Prevent Sick Building Syndrome
1. Ensures HVAC systems are always professionally cleaned
It is common for many office building owners to miss certain features of their facility when engaging part time office cleaning services in Singapore, and the HVAC system ranks at the top of this list. Keeping air ducts consistently clean and having filters periodically replaced not only results in better energy efficiency but also ensures harmful pollutants don’t stay in the air even. Otherwise, the workplace may look spotless to one’s eyes, but the invisible air circulating around it remains as dirty as ever.
2. Keeps the office spick and span
As mentioned, poor environmental cleanliness is one of the lesser-known factors behind SBS. And while your office may look well-maintained at first glance, there may be other neglected places keeping it from being 100% spotless. Examples of these include the walls and ceiling which tend to attract dust and other contaminants and behind and underneath furniture. In addition, the chemical products used to clean the workspace could also contribute to the pollutant issue. Thus, consider switching to an office cleaning company with a reputation for being thorough and sustainable in their choice of cleaning products so you can hit two birds with one stone.
3. Effectively eliminate biological contaminants
Volatile organic compounds from cleaning agents, pesticides, and other similar materials are not the only things that can contaminate the air. There are also those that are biological in nature, which commonly stem from pest droppings, mould, fungus, and so on. With the help of a trusted cleaning company, getting to the root of these issues becomes a breeze.
Conclusion
Sick building syndrome is a real issue that requires sparing no effort in improving office air quality and making sure no stone is left unturned when engaging janitorial services. From the air ducts and walls to hidden mould growths and areas covered by furniture and appliances, there are plenty of spaces where pollutants can proliferate and keep circulating in the air, making employees constantly sick.
By working with a trusted commercial office cleaning company like Abba, you can rest assured that every inch of your workspace is spick and span, enabling you to get one step closer to getting rid of SBS.
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