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Suh, Ha, Hong, Chae, Chang, and Kim: Nonspecific Building Related Illnesses
Special Article
Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2012; 24(4): 319-327.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/kjoem.2012.24.4.319

Nonspecific Building Related Illnesses

Chunhui Suh, Eun-Hee Ha1, Yun-Chul Hong2, Yoo Mi Chae3, Kyu-jin Chang4, Jungwon Kim5

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine & Institute of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University, Korea.

1Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

2Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine and Institute of Environmental Medicine, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, Korea.

3Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Korea.

4Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Park's Premier Medical Center, Korea.

5Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Korea.

Corresponding author (hedoc68@gmail.com)

Received 3 December 2012       Revised 27 December 2012       Accepted 27 December 2012

Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Abstract

Nonspecific building related illnesses (NBRI) are an array of diverse symptoms related to working in particular buildings. There are numerous contributing factors, including basic factors (temperature, humidity and ventilation) as well as chemicals, dust, microorganisms, and psychosocial factors.
At the individual level, taking a careful history is the essential first step. After ruling out other diseases, clinicians can start the symptomatic treatment for NBRI. If a relationship to the building is suspected, a walk through evaluation is very helpful. At the group level, standardized questionnaires and investigations of the building environment can be applied simultaneously. If the prevalence of symptoms are greater than that of general population, appropriate interventions have to be provided for prevention and group health care. In both approaches, it is essential to periodically follow up with symptomatic patients and work environments after an intervention. For the management of NBRI, taking care of the patient's symptoms and maintaining a good indoor environment are important. To achieve this goal, cooperation among workers, building managers, employers and occupational health staff is crucial.

Keywords: Nonspecific building related illness, Indoor air quality

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
A strategic approach to the situation in individual and group level. (modified from reference 33)
kjoem-24-319-g001
Table 1
Risk factors associated with nonspecific building related illnesses2,3,11,20)
kjoem-24-319-i001
Table 2
Mandatory monitoring of indoor air quality by Korean laws
kjoem-24-319-i002

*IAQC Act: Indoor air quality control in public use facilities, etc. act by Ministry of Environment.

†PHC Act: Public health control act by Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs.

‡PL Act: Parking lot act by Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

§SH Act: School health act by Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology.

∥OS&H Act: Occupational safety and health act by Ministry of Employment and Labor.

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