UV cure for sick office syndrome

Sick building syndrome was first noticed in the 1960s

Sick building syndrome, a condition that causes misery for millions of office workers, can be easily prevented, say scientists.

Researchers in Canada say adding ultraviolet light to ventilation systems kills the germs that cause office workers to get ill.

So-called UGVI ventilation systems are widely used in north America but have been slow to take off in the UK.

But writing in The Lancet, scientists urged all offices to install them.

First noticed in the 1960s, sick building syndrome was formally recognised as a medical condition by the World Health Organization in 1982.

Symptoms include unexplained headaches, fatigue, skin rashes and respiratory problems.

Harbour germs

In recent years, scientists have pointed the finger of blame at ventilation systems, which they say may harbour germs and may pump them around buildings.

A growing number of companies have installed UVGI ventilation systems to tackle the problem.

Possible symptoms Irritation of the eye, nose or throat Unexplained skin rash Itchy or sensitive skin Headaches Frequent throat infections or cough Hoarseness or wheezing Nausea or dizziness

However, there has been conflicting evidence as to whether these systems work or not.

Researchers at Canada's McGill University installed UVGI or ultraviolet germicidal irradiation ventilation systems in three office buildings in Montreal.

Like many modern offices, these were sealed buildings.

Windows were fully sealed and the only air getting into each of the buildings came through air conditioning units and ventilation vents.

The researchers tested the UVGI system over the course of almost a year.

UVGI was initially off for 12 weeks before being turned on for four weeks. This pattern was repeated for the duration of the study.

The researchers questioned a total of 771 people who worked in these offices.

They found strong evidence to suggest that UVGI can reduce the symptoms of sick building syndrome.

They reported that workers who suffered from unexplained headaches, irritation around the eyes, the nose and in the throat and respiratory problems had reduced symptoms.

The number of people reporting irritation around the eyes, nose and throat fell by 30%.

The number reporting fewer respiratory problems dropped by 40%.

Company action

Dr Dick Menzies, who led the study, said the findings showed that companies should consider installing UVGI in their ventilation systems.

These systems can be expensive. However, Dr Menzies suggested companies would save money because staff would be taking less time off work because of illness.

"To install UVGI in the ventilation systems of an 11,148 square-metre office building with 1,000 occupants would cost US$52,000 and $14,000 per year for energy, maintenance and bulb replacement.

"For every worker, the estimated $52 for initial and $14 for yearly operating costs compare favourably with the estimated yearly losses from absence caused by building-related sickness."

Richard Jones, head of technical affairs at the UK's Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said scientists were still split on what actually causes sick building syndrome.

"A huge amount of research and effort has gone into understanding what causes this condition. However, we are really no nearer to being able to put a finger on what causes it.

"It tends to be a feature of modern buildings and it is generally confined to buildings with some sort of mechanical ventilation.

"Ventilation systems provide a very nice breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria.

"They also help to recirculate germs or toxins already in the office atmosphere."

A spokesman for a British company called Energy Technique, which sells UVGI installation systems backed the findings.

"UVGI has been slow to take off in the UK but we are expecting demand to pick up now," he said.