beyond the length of time a person spends in
the building- doctors can diagnose as a specific condition
- requires correction of an identifiable problem
within the building
Building-related illnesses include•LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE, a type of PNEUMONIAthat
results from bacterial contamination of building
heating and air-conditioning systems
- upper respiratory illnesses due to toxic molds
and fungi - asbestos-related lung disease
- radon-induced LUNG CANCER
- BRONCHITIS, ASTHMA, chronic LARYNGITIS, pneu-
monia, CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
(COPD), and cancers resulting from exposure to
ENVIRONMENTAL CIGARETTE SMOKE or industrial
chemicals
- BRONCHITIS, ASTHMA, chronic LARYNGITIS, pneu-
Doctors diagnose and treat building-related ill-
nesses as they would similar illnesses arising from
other causes. Because exposure and illness are
often chronic, recovery may take extended time.
Contemporary building codes and practices help
prevent many of the circumstances that cause
building-related illnesses, though INDOOR AIR QUAL-
ITYremains a significant concern.
See also ASBESTOSIS; ASPERGILLOSIS;LUNGS; RADON
EXPOSURE; SICK BUILDING SYNDROME.building-related illness 13