Air Quality Testing: A Crucial Step to Preventing Sick Building Syndrome

Indoor Air Quality

The indoor air quality of your home or business can have a significant impact on the well-being of your family, employees and anyone else who spends time in these enclosed spaces. 

This is because breathing in allergens and other airborne partic...

Posted by Chris | April 11, 2024 | Reading Time: 2 minutes, 16 seconds

The indoor air quality of your home or business can have a significant impact on the well-being of your family, employees and anyone else who spends time in these enclosed spaces. 

This is because breathing in allergens and other airborne particles can cause a number of health issues that fall under the umbrella term of sick building syndrome (SBS).

Here’s what you should know about this condition and how you can prevent it.

Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome

Sick building syndrome presents similarly to a cold or flu. What makes SBS symptoms distinct is that they’ll worsen when you spend time in a certain enclosed building or space, and they’ll improve once you leave the space. Signs of this condition include:

  • A sore throat
  • Difficulty breathing and a tight chest
  • Sneezing and a runny nose
  • Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
  • A burning sensation in your nose
  • Dry and itchy skin
  • Headache
  • Nausea and dizziness
  • Irritability
  • Body aches, chills and a fever

It’s important to keep in mind that SBS symptoms vary depending on the person and can be affected by their health and sensitivity to pollutants. For example, someone who has asthma may be more prone to attacks and severe symptoms when they spend time in the affected building.

Causes of Sick Building Syndrome

There are numerous factors that can cause sick building syndrome. The most common issues in homes and commercial businesses are either poor ventilation or biological contaminants such as mould, pet dander and bacteria. Alternatively, the problematic airborne particles could be dust emanating from the building’s ducts, furnace or air conditioner if these units are poorly maintained and aren’t regularly cleaned.

How To Prevent Sick Building Syndrome

If you’re concerned about contaminants in your home or want to ensure the safety of your business, indoor air quality testing is a crucial first step. This will help you determine what solution is best suited for your Edmonton property. Options include:

  • Furnace and duct cleaning. This maintenance service uses modern equipment to help prevent allergens and pollutants from circulating through the building’s ventilation system.
  • Air purification system installation. A HEPA air filtration system or a UV antibacterial system can be installed in your home or business to remove pathogens from the air. They can also be professionally retrofitted to work with your existing HVAC system.

Contact an HVAC Professional in Edmonton

Are you wondering if you need duct cleaning services for your Edmonton home or business? Take our online test to find out. At Modern Air & Water, we can help you keep your indoor spaces clean and safe with our comprehensive HVAC maintenance services. For more information or to request a free quote, contact us today.

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