Illness May Be Linked To 'Sick Building'

I found this article in today's paper and found it interesting enough to post it here:

AT THE WATER COOLER

Illness may be linked to 'sick building'


The sneezing, the coughing, the drowsiness - but only at the office. Could it be that you're allergic to...work? It may sound like a stunt to wrangle some time off. But your ailments could be related to "sick building syndrome," an illness caused by mold, inadequate ventilation, or chemicals from walls and carpet of old and new buildings.

The causes can be difficult to pin down. said Susan Lessack, partner in Pepper Hamilton law firm in Berwyn, PA.

"Often there is a tendency to doubt that the person is experiencing something related tothe building , and these illnesses are met with suspicion even though they are quite valid," she said.

If you notice you're only feeling ill while you're at work, ask your employer to test the building's air quality. If possible, try to work from another location to see if the symptoms fade.

If a link is found between an illness and the building, an employee could seek compensation under workers compensation laws, Lessack said. That can be difficult to do.

When employees work in a "sick building," they feel a sense of relief after leaving work.

"This can lead to poor morale as well as high turnover," she said.

Original source Business Section of Rocky Mountain News 10/30/08