Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a name for a condition that’s thought to be caused by being in a building or other type of enclosed space. It’s attributed to poor indoor air quality. However, the precise cause is unknown. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, poor indoor air quality can be found in about 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings.
Sometimes diagnosing SBS can be difficult because of the wide range of symptoms. These can also mimic other conditions, such as the common cold. The key to SBS is that your symptoms improve after leaving the building in question, only to come back when you return to the same location. If you notice recurring symptoms that seem to appear whenever you’re in a particular building, you may consider investigating sick building syndrome as the cause.