Question: A few people in my office think we work in a "sick building" because the air makes them sneeze and cough. But most people don’t seem to have a problem. Should I be worried?
Dr. Hibberd's answer:
Environmental air quality issues are fairly easy to recognize by their effect on multiple people within a similar time frame. Sometimes they are caused by a simple ventilation problem, related to smoke or fumes. Less often Chinese drywall may be the issue, or mold from a leak in the air conditioning system. In some cases, gas contamination — such as carbon monoxide or even chemical fumes — can taint the air in a building, causing health problems.
One way to tell if the air is a contaminated where you work is to see how you feel when you leave the building. If your symptoms disappear when you are not at work, you may in fact be working in "sick building
If that is the case, you should seek the advice of your physician then follow his or advice on what to do. Any concerns about exposure to workplace hazards should be immediately reported in writing to your employer and to the building owner and manager of operations. You or your physician can also anonymously request that your local health department, a building inspector, or the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration review the situation.
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