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Air Filters for Business to Business Education

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)/ Building Related Illness (BRI) A major concern for employers today is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and Building Related Illness (BRI). Both of these conditions can be helped dramatically by proper filtration and ventilation. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined “Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)” in 1983 as “an excess of work related irritations of the skin and mucus membranes and other symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, reported by workers in modern office buildings.” Just as problematic is “Building Related Illness (BRI)” which is used to describe diagnosable illnesses that can be identified as directly related to airborne contaminants. There are more legal ramifications with BRI because BRI can be traced to specific contaminant sources. Both of these terms reflect real issues in the workplace today. The ultimate result is lost productivity on the part of workers who inhabit the buildings. There are several factors that can cause SBS/BRI: Inadequate ventilation (ASHRAE – American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, promotes a ventilation standard of a minimum of 15 cfm of outdoor air per person and 20 cfm per person in office spaces) Chemical contaminants from indoor sources (adhesives, carpeting, cleaning agents, copy machines, manufactured wood products, pesticides, and upholstery – all can emit volatile organic compounds - VOCs) Chemical contaminants from outdoor sources (building exhausts – bathrooms and kitchens, motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents) And biological contaminants (bacteria, molds, pollen and viruses are typical contaminants that can accumulate and multiply in stagnant water in ducts, humidifiers, drain pans or if water collects on ceiling tiles, carpeting or insulation)

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