Sick Building Syndrome: Is Your Home Harming You?
Is the house you live in the source of your anxieties? Never thought about it? Well, unfortunately, the indoor environment can do more than just put you in a bad mood; it can directly affect your physical and mental health.
How is this possible?
An average person at rest breathes 11,000 liters of air each day, which is about 8-11 liters of air per minute. The air we breathe contains essential respiratory gases like nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide. However, it also carries other particles harmful to the human body. With that said, let's take a closer look at what sick building syndrome (SBS) is and how it affects us.
Almost 30% of new and renovated buildings have poor indoor air quality. The main causes of SBS are inadequate ventilation, chemical pollutants from indoor sources, chemical contaminants from outdoor sources, and defective construction of the house, which can lead to mold, dampness, high humidity, or other unwanted infiltrations.
Inadequate ventilation: The air inside a house can be refreshed every few hours using an efficient ventilation system. This way, the air is replaced with fresh air filtered from impurities while retaining its thermal value, providing a heat transfer efficiency of over 90%.
Chemical contaminants can be found in paint, adhesives, carpets, cleaning agents, and upholstered furniture. The biggest problem with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is that they may or may not have a smell, making them difficult to detect. You know the "new home smell"? That smell is a mix of highly toxic VOCs that come with a newly built traditional house. That's why you will never be greeted by the same strong chemical smell in a BIOBUILDS home. It's clear that we must pay maximum attention to these contaminants, as chronic exposure can cause cancer, liver and kidney damage, and harm the central nervous system.
High levels of dust and other particles: The air we breathe contains microscopic particles that are not visible to the naked eye. An efficient ventilation system filters out 99% of these pollutants.
Mold and dampness: The human body functions at a relative humidity of 40-60%. When the relative humidity of the air reaches 100%, the existing air vapors saturate, condensation occurs, and mold forms. Therefore, the way we build is vital. We must ensure that each layer of construction allows the diffusion of vapors from the interior to the exterior. Passive houses have a construction system that takes air diffusion into account, making them an excellent solution for this issue.
Radon: Worldwide, radon is recognized as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It is odorless and transparent, making it impossible to measure without specialized equipment. The gas infiltrates interiors through cracks in the lower layers of the house or problematic execution of these layers. It is crucial to test the soil for radon during the early stages of construction and to insulate the structure at ground level to prevent the gas from infiltrating the house.
All passive BIOBUILDS homes follow a radon concentration measurement procedure in the soil, and their foundations are specially designed to prevent infiltration. Moreover, the high airtightness of the homes prevents radon from entering passive houses.
SBS can affect your skin, respiratory, and neurological systems. Possible symptoms include mild conditions such as throat irritation, difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss, fatigue, irritability, or even an increased risk of developing various diseases due to polluted air: bronchial asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, nonspecific respiratory infections, or even lung cancer.
It is essential to note that SBS affects each person differently. Some people may not exhibit any symptoms, while others may experience symptoms after a long period of exposure. It goes without saying that the length of exposure to polluted indoor air can exacerbate or reduce the long-term symptoms you may experience.
Test the air quality in your home: With this in mind, we believe that indoor air quality testing is an excellent and necessary idea. These types of investigations are typically conducted before moving into a new home. Additionally, if you're considering building a house, keep in mind that the construction materials, ventilation system, and construction method will significantly improve your quality of life and contribute to your long-term health and that of your family.
Besides the advantages of airtightness that come with passive construction, all BIOBUILDS homes have a ventilation system that replaces the entire volume of air every few hours. Moreover, passive houses built by BIOBUILDS are made up of 95% natural materials, which contribute to the health of the home and, consequently, your health.
In summary, investing in prefab homes, modular homes, tiny homes, or minimalistic small houses that are off-the-grid ready, green building, and energy-efficient eco-houses can make a significant difference in your life. Opt for a passive house or eco modular house to ensure a healthier living environment, free from the risks associated with sick building syndrome.
