Sick building syndrome -- an occurrence in which people in a building suffer from acute symptoms related to time spent in that building. This problem, also known as SBS, is named as the cause of the ailments when no identifiable illness can be diagnosed as their source. While many have never heard of the term sick building syndrome, it is a real concern -- one that affects up to sixty-four million people in America every year.

According to the United Nations World Health Organization, as many as thirty percent of office buildings around the world are afflicted with sick building syndrome. Sufferers may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, dry cough, dry or itchy skin, decreased concentration, and/or eye, nose, and throat irritation. Usually, these symptoms disappear not long after afflicted occupants leave the building -- another sign that SBS is the source of the problem.

A number of factors can lead to sick building syndrome. These factors could include chemical contaminants from inside the building itself, chemical pollutants from outdoor sources, and biological toxins, such as mold, bacteria, or viruses. All of the contributors to SBS are an even greater threat when poor ventilation is an issue, especially during colder months when buildings are shut tight against outside air or in buildings which rely heavily on air conditioning rather than natural ventilation.

When sick building syndrome is suspected, a building investigation is usually conducted to determine what sources are causing or contributing to the SBS. During this type of investigation, information is collected regarding the building's occupants, suspected sources of pollution, and the building's HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) system. After studying this information, hypotheses can be formed as to what is polluting the air and solutions can be put into action.

Ultimately, the goal is to rid the building of all contaminants, thus creating much cleaner air for breathing. Often, the best way to do this is through air purification along with increasing the building's ventilation and removing the actual pollutant sources when possible. By utilizing all of these methods, sick building syndrome can be eliminated, allowing relief from symptoms and improved health for suffering occupants.

For air purification, the United States Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends using an air purification system that employs ultraviolet light along with the technology of a HEPA filter. In fact, all government buildings rely on UV disinfection to control and eliminate dangerous micro-organisms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture further suggests an air purifier which generates negative ions to assist in eliminating bacteria and dust.

Ultraviolet light has been known for over fifty years to be an effective natural sterilizer of air pollution, and the UV disinfection of an ultraviolet air purification system works in the same way to destroy hazardous micro-organisms such as molds and viruses. As dangerous microbes pass by the lamp of a UV air purifier, their DNA is mutated, leaving them unable to reproduce and rendering them harmless. Air emitted from the ultraviolet air purification system is clean and thus, safe for breathing.

The HEPA filter of a UV air purifier aids in the process of air purification by actually removing particulates from the air, including volatile organic compounds such as those emitted by carpets, manufactured wood products, cleaning agents, upholstery, and copy machines. Although these common furnishings seem harmless, the VOC's they emit are known to cause both acute and chronic health problems. A HEPA filter, as utilized by an ultraviolet air purification system, will capture 99.97% of these particulates as small as three-tenths of a micron in size.

In combination with a HEPA filter and ultraviolet light, negative ions provide additional protection against fine particles such as bacteria and dust. The negative ions which are released by a UV air purifier attract the positively charged particulates, virtually pulling them from the air and causing them to fall to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted, rather than inhaled. An ultraviolet air purification system which incorporates the benefits of UV disinfection, a HEPA filter, and negative ions offers excellent protection.

While a UV air purifier is important to eliminating SBS, it is essential to remember the significance of proper ventilation along with the removal of pollutant sources whenever possible. For example, HVAC systems should be cleaned regularly, and areas where chemicals are unmistakable, such as copy rooms, should be sufficiently vented to the outdoors. By incorporating UV disinfection with adequate ventilation and a clean environment, sick building syndrome will be eradicated and afflicted occupants will experience immediate relief.