Sick building syndrome is a collection of symptoms that seem to worsen the longer a person stays indoors, affecting everything from breathing to skin and mental focus. The Environmental Protection Agency describes these effects as acute health issues linked to time spent in a building, including brain fog, nausea, and migraines. While experts like Leonard Bielory, MD, call the condition a “catchall term” for the building’s state rather than a specific disease, it remains a significant issue for many office workers.
More than just bad air
Triggers for these symptoms vary widely. Particles in the air, such as mold spores, dust, or chemicals, play a major role. However, physical features of the workspace also contribute. Bright fluorescent lighting, a lack of windows, or the smell of new carpets can induce headaches, eye strain, and fatigue. Lizzie, 30, works for a nonprofit organization and describes her symptoms as “unmanageable.” She noticed her health deteriorate shortly after her company moved to a new purpose-built office in January 2024. She began experiencing migraine symptoms and dizziness after just ten minutes inside the building, eventually leading her to cut her hours to avoid vomiting.
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Doctors often view the body’s reaction as an irritant response rather than a classic allergy. Eyes and noses act as early detection systems for volatile organic compounds and other airborne irritants. Everyone has a different tolerance threshold, which explains why one person might tolerate a dusty room while another sneezes within hours. It is the sensitivity of a person who can sleep on a bed of nails versus someone who feels the pressure of a single pea under a hundred mattresses.
The gender gap in office health
Research suggests this sudden, inexplicable illness affects women more often than men. According to a report by the EPA, sick building syndrome describes “the acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building,” including brain fog, nausea, dizziness, migraines, rashes, and other symptoms. There are many potential triggers that can cause these symptoms, including particles in the air such as mold spores, dust, and certain chemicals. But other symptoms, including headaches, eye strain, and fatigue, can be triggered by the more physical traits of an office building, such as bright strip lighting, a lack of windows, or the smell of the carpets.
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Practical steps for relief
If you suspect your environment is causing your symptoms, there are practical steps to manage them. Dr. Leonard Bielory, MD, a professor of allergy, immunology, and ophthalmology at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, in New Jersey, calls sick building syndrome a “catchall term.” “It’s the building that’s sick, not the person,” he tells SELF. For those struggling with lighting, updating computer monitors and asking for dimmers or adjusted lighting schedules can help with headaches and eye strain. Finally, speaking to management is essential. A manager should investigate the problem, potentially offering a different workspace or allowing flexible hours. While there is no official diagnostic test for sick building syndrome, these actions can help mitigate the “sick” feeling that many workers endure daily.
