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Respiratory Symptoms and Skin Sick Building Syndrome among Office Workers at University Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Associations with Indoor Air Quality, AIRMED Project

Author

Listed:
  • Vithawat Surawattanasakul

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Wachiranun Sirikul

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
    Center of Data Analytics and Knowledge Synthesis for Health Care, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Ratana Sapbamrer

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Kampanat Wangsan

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Jinjuta Panumasvivat

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Pheerasak Assavanopakun

    (Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

  • Supang Muangkaew

    (Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)

Abstract

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is the term used to describe the medical condition in which people in a building suffer from symptoms of illnesses for no apparent reason. SBS was found to be associated with indoor air quality (IAQ) but there are a variety of determinants (buildings, in particular). Identifying and controlling factors related to SBS is crucial for improving worker health and efficiency. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate (1) the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and skin SBS and (2) their associations with IAQ among office workers in administrative offices in an academic medical institute. A self-reporting questionnaire assessing the worker’s characteristics, working conditions, and perception of working environments was used. The building assessment was via a walk-through survey and IAQ measurement. Of 290 office workers, 261 (90%) in 25 offices of 11 buildings took part in the survey. The highest prevalence of SBS was nasal symptoms (25.3%). We found that to reduce the risk of SBS, optimal air temperature levels in air-conditioned offices should be lower than 23 °C, with relative humidity between 60% and 70%. Lowering indoor CO 2 levels below 700 ppm may be indicative of adequate ventilation to prevent SBS by reducing worker discomfort and indoor contaminants (e.g., formaldehyde).

Suggested Citation

  • Vithawat Surawattanasakul & Wachiranun Sirikul & Ratana Sapbamrer & Kampanat Wangsan & Jinjuta Panumasvivat & Pheerasak Assavanopakun & Supang Muangkaew, 2022. "Respiratory Symptoms and Skin Sick Building Syndrome among Office Workers at University Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand: Associations with Indoor Air Quality, AIRMED Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10850-:d:902558
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Chung-Yen Lu & Meng-Chuan Tsai & Chih-Hsin Muo & Yu-Hsien Kuo & Fung-Chang Sung & Chin-Ching Wu, 2017. "Personal, Psychosocial and Environmental Factors Related to Sick Building Syndrome in Official Employees of Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Chung-Yen Lu & Jia-Min Lin & Ying-Yi Chen & Yi-Chun Chen, 2015. "Building-Related Symptoms among Office Employees Associated with Indoor Carbon Dioxide and Total Volatile Organic Compounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Cuong Hoang Quoc & Giang Vu Huong & Hai Nguyen Duc, 2020. "Working Conditions and Sick Building Syndrome among Health Care Workers in Vietnam," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-11, May.
    4. Sedina Kalender Smajlović & Andreja Kukec & Mateja Dovjak, 2019. "Association between Sick Building Syndrome and Indoor Environmental Quality in Slovenian Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-18, September.
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