Influence of indoor air quality and personal factors on the sick building syndrome (SBS) in Swedish geriatric hospitals.

Studies the relationship between sick building syndrome symptoms and both personal and environmental factors in 225 female hospital workers in eight hospitals in the south of Sweden. The method used a self-administered questionnaire and a building survey and measurements of room temperature, supply air temperature, air humidity and exhaust air flow. Eye irritation was more common in buildings with a high ventilation flow and a high noise level from the ventilation system. Throat symptoms were more common in buildings with a high ventilation flow, among others. Facial skin irritation was more common in new buildings, and buildings with a high ventilation flow and ventilation noise. Concludes that the prevalence of symptoms was high, and identifies a need to improve the indoor environment as well as the psychosocial environment in hospitals.