Solution to sick building syndrome

A study just published in the medical journal, The Lancet, has found a way to eliminate sick building syndrome (SBS).

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is caused by bacteria building up in the ventilation systems and air conditioning of buildings. This can led to office workers suffering from a range of problems, such as breathing difficulties, headaches, sore throats, stuffy noses and itchy eyes and is estimated to affect 80 per cent of people who work in air-conditioned offices.

The study by researchers from the Montreal Chest Institute in Canada found that simply by placing ultraviolet lights in the office ventilation systems the problems caused by SBS could be reduced dramatically. After installing UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) in the ventilation systems there was a 20 per cent reduction in all symptoms. This included 40 per cent fewer complaints about respiratory problems, 30 per cent reduction in people complaining of stuffy noses and a halving of muscular complaints.

Source: The Independent