sick building syndrome

noun

1. an illness caused by exposure to pollutants or germs inside an airtight building.

sick building syndrome

noun

1. a group of symptoms, such as headaches, eye irritation, and lethargy, that may be experienced by workers in offices with limited ventilation

sick building syndrome

/ sĭk /

1. An illness affecting workers in office buildings, characterized by skin irritation, headache, and respiratory problems, and thought to be caused by indoor pollutants, microorganisms, or inadequate ventilation.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sick building syndrome¹

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

In some cases, this can lead to health issues, which is then referred to as "sick building syndrome."

From Science Daily

Plus, studies have shown that poor ventilation has all kinds of other health effects, from “sick building syndrome” to cognitive impacts.

From Scientific American

It said the plants were bought for the staff's health and wellbeing, and to reduce the risk of "sick building syndrome", which causes headaches and respiratory problems.

From BBC

There’s even a name for illness caused by poor ventilation: sick building syndrome.

From Seattle Times

Those investigations introduced him to “sick building syndrome,” a problem first identified in the 1970s in which the occupants experience fatigue, itchy eyes, headaches, and other symptoms.

From Science Magazine