Studies on the Role of Fungi in Sick Building Syndrome

Abstract

Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe symptoms in humans which result from problems with indoor air quality. Common complaints include dyspnea, flu-like symptoms, watering eyes, and allergic rhinitis. Although there is likely no single cause for Sick Building Syndrome, fungal contamination in buildings has increasingly been associated with this spectrum of symptoms. The authors describe 2 case studies, and other experimentation, that have investigated the role of fungi in the occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome.

Keywords:

• fungi
• indoor air quality
• Penicillium chrysogenum
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Stachybotrys chartarum