Date
30.11.2005

Time
10:00

Store Auditorium, Realfagsbygget

Gjesteforelesning: "Chemical analysis of "sick building syndrome" SBS"

Anna-Lena Sunesson,
Arbetslivsinstitutet, Umeå

Abstract:
SBS, the "Sick Building Syndrome", has been described by WHO as a combination of general, skin and mucosal symptoms. A number of risk factors have been identified over the years, including e.g. atopy, female gender, psychosocial factors, photocopying etc. It has also been shown that there is a relation between outdoor air flow and symptoms, with a higher risk for SBS at low air flow rates. Dampness and mould growth in buildings are also related to higher risks of getting SBS. Microorganisms have been proposed to be one possible explanation, but epidemiological studies have not been able to find a clear correlation between levels of fungi and health effects in buildings. Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is also often suggested to contribute to health problems in indoor environments and analysis of VOCs is often performed in investigations of problem buildings.

The presentation describes SBS and its effects on humans and discusses possibilities and limitations in chemical analysis of factors contributing to SBS.

Short presentation of the lecturer:
Anna-Lena Sunesson is a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry and works as a researcher at the National Institute for Working Life in Umeå, Sweden. She has worked in the field of indoor air and SBS for more than 15 years, with a focus on volatile organic compounds and microbially produced compounds.She is a leading expert in the field.

Kontaktperson
Rolf Carlson

Epost
rolf.carlson@chem.uit.no

Tlf/mobil
776 44068