Occupational diseases: sick building syndrome, air conditioning lung, dehumidifier fever
Sick building syndrome’ refers to a group of conditions caused by exposure to various noxious agents that generally affects people working in offices or other buildings housing many close workers
Sick building syndrome, the problem in new buildings
Most frequently, it occurs in new buildings that are ‘hermetically sealed’, designed not to disperse heat, with windows that do not open and usually with heating and air conditioning ducts originating from a common source.
High CO2, which occurs most commonly in these buildings, is a frequent cause of sick building syndrome.
Affected persons become anxious, hyperventilate and may develop tetany and severe dyspnoea.
Other problems can be caused by lorries and other vehicles emitting exhaust fumes near the air intakes, causing excessive exposure to carbon monoxide and fumes produced by diesel engines.
The latter contain carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, various aldehydes and other harmful substances.
Not only sick building syndrome: air conditioning lung
Epidemics can be caused by the same microorganisms that cause farmer’s lung (Thermoactinomyces vulgaris, Micropolyspora faeni).
Thermophilic actinomycetes can contaminate humidifiers and air conditioner ducts.
As a result, the air conditioner pumps cold air containing the spores throughout the building.
Since the symptoms of air conditioner lung are the same as those of farmer’s lung, confusion is possible with humidifier fever, which recognises other causes.
Humidifier fever
This acute febrile illness usually appears on Mondays or early in the week.
In addition to fever, the affected person often has muscle cramps, pain and mild dyspnoea.
Various agents, such as amoebas, endotoxins, bacteria and fungi, can cause various types of wet fever.
This usually resolves once the patient is no longer exposed to the causative agent.
When no causative agent can be identified, investigations often lead to the suspicion that anxiety attacks or mass hysteria are the cause.
Other occupational respiratory diseases
Other frequent occupational respiratory diseases that might interest you are:
- silicosis;
- coal workers’ pneumoconiosis;
- asbestosis and related diseases (mesothelioma and pleural effusion);
- berylliosis;
- hypersensitivity pneumonitis;
- occupational asthma;
- byssinosis;
- diseases caused by irritant gases and other chemicals.
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