Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a phenomenon that is becoming increasingly recognized in modern working and living environments. SBS is a set of nonspecific symptoms that are thought to be related to spending time in a particular building, most commonly in the workplace, but no specific cause has been identified. It has been found that SBS is linked to indoor air quality, but many other factors also influence its occurrence. Identifying and controlling factors associated with SBS is crucial for improving workers’ health and productivity.
As part of the master’s thesis, an analysis was conducted on the presence of SBS among employees at the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (FKKT) and the Faculty of Computer and Information Science (FRI). The aim was to assess the frequency of disturbing environmental parameters and SBS symptoms among employees. The research was conducted using a questionnaire based on self-assessment of perception of the work environment and working conditions, as well as the presence of SBS symptoms. A total of 69 employees participated in the survey. The survey results showed that the most frequently reported issue was noise, noted by 52.2 % of employees. This was followed by the presence of unpleasant chemical odors (23.2 %), low temperature and stuffy, bad air (20.3 %), and dry air (17.4 %). The assessment of SBS symptom frequency indicated that the most reported symptom among employees was fatigue (60.9 %), followed by drowsiness (42 %), a feeling of heavy-headed (26.1 %), concentration difficulties, and dry or reddened skin on the hands, itching of the hands (20.3 %) and headache (17.4 %). On average, employees reported experiencing 2,48 SBS symptoms at least twice a week. Half of the employees (49.3 %) experience a frequent overload of work, which can consequently lead to stress and the emergence of SBS symptoms. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the SBS symptoms are likely related to the work environment or workplace, as nearly half of the employees, these symptoms partially subside after leaving the buildings. The results of the survey indicate the potential for improving the current working environment and consequently preventing or reducing the occurrence of SBS at the faculties.
|