Scientific Review: Sick Buildings and Non-Allergic Rhinitis

Scientific Review: Sick Buildings and Non-Allergic Rhinitis
MCS America News, Volume 3, Issue 2, February 2008.

Sick building syndrome is described by the Environmental Protection Agency as “a situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.”

A common complaint identified with environmental exposures in sick building syndrome is non-allergic rhinitis. Non-allergic rhinitis is irritation and inflammation of the nose that is not the result of an allergic reaction.

Building-related triggers include extremes of temperature and humidity, cleaning products, fragrances, and tobacco smoke

Researchers at the Department of Medicine, University of Washington noted that some individuals with allergic rhinitis also reported symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis.

Nearly half of those who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitic subjects reported more than three non-allergic triggers. When compared to those without allergic rhinitis, the allergic rhinitics reported more non-allergic triggers. This indicates that those with allergic triggers are more likely to have non-allergic triggers too.

The researchers concluded that both non-allergic rhinitics and a subset of allergic rhinitics may constitute susceptible populations for sick building syndrome. Those with rhinitis may be the “canaries in the coal mine” when indoor air quality is not optimal.

It should be noted that poor indoor air quality affects everyone, not just those with rhinitis. Fatigue, headaches, asthma, difficulty concentrating, and many other symptoms may be the result of exposures to toxic substances commonly found indoors, including those listed above and formaldehyde, PBDEs, fragrances, fumes from copy machines and faxes, plastics, pesticides, and more.

Stagnant air only adds to the problem. The easiest way to improve the air quality indoors is to open windows and allow the air to circulate freely. Even in the winter, windows can be left open a crack to greatly increase effective air exchange. Air filters are also useful.

Dusting and cleaning regularly with natural products such as vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide will also help to eliminate the carrying of toxicants on dust and keep your home clean with safer products.

Reference
Shusterman D, Murphy MA. Nasal hyperreactivity in allergic and non-allergic rhinitis: a potential risk factor for non-specific building-related illness. Indoor Air. 2007 Aug;17(4):328-33.