Construction Defects that Cause Illness or Disease
Sick building syndrome (SBS) covers a whole range of health problems that are related to toxin exposure in a building. There are serious questions raised by physicians and mold experts about the existence of a true relationship between the mold and bacterial infections that have been reported to be the cause of SBS. SBS is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and discomfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be widespread throughout the building. In contrast, the term “Building Related Illness” (BRI) is used when symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified and can be attributed directly to airborne building contaminants. A study concluded that Stachybotrys chartarum produces the mycotoxin Satratoxin H, which is implicated in very high cytotoxicity and several environmental allergic reactions. The various papers concerning the toxicity of contact with mold spores has met with serious concerns that people can really be sickened by exposure to mold spores. Legionnaires’ Disease acquired its name in 1976 when an outbreak of what was believed to be pneumonia occurred among persons attending a convention of the American Legion in Philadelphia. Later, the bacterium causing the illness was named Legionella. Patients with Legionnaires’ Disease usually have fever, chills, and a cough, which may be dry or may produce sputum. Some patients also have muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, loss of appetite, and, occasionally, diarrhea. Laboratory tests may show that these patients’ kidneys are not functioning properly. Chest X-rays often lead to a diagnosis of pneumonia. It is difficult to distinguish Legionnaires’ Disease from other types of pneumonia by symptoms alone; other tests are required for diagnosis. Legionellosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Legionella pneumophila. The disease has two distinct forms: Legionnaires’ Disease, the more severe form of infection that includes, as a result of the infection, the development of pneumonia, and Pontiac fever, a milder illness.