Sick building syndrome in a Canadian office complex.

There had been complaints of Sick Building Syndrome symptoms by employees in a large sealed office complex in Ottowa, Canada ever since it had opened. This prompted a comprehensive survey by questionnaire coupled with limited environmental measurements. Most respondents complained of irritation of the upper respiratory tract, the eyes and skin as well as various other health problems. These began shortly after coming to work in the building and were troublesome only during work; moving to other work in other parts of the complex made no difference. Complaints were more frequent among workers in cubicles rather than those who worked in open areas or closed offices. However evidence of sub optimal ventilation, temperature and humidity levels did not correlate well with areas where the symptoms were most prevalent. The complex and its ventilation were designed for open plan use; the subsequent partition into offices and cubicles seems to have exacerbated the problem. While many women who conceived while employed in the building expressed concern about the effect on their pregnancies, rates of spontaneous abortion and foetal defects were almost normal.