What constitutes Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is characterized by a situation in which a significant percentage of the occupants of a building experience health issues that cannot be directly attributed to any specific cause or identifiable exposure. The defining criterion is that 20% or more of the occupants report symptoms that appear to be linked to time spent in that building, often without an obvious environmental trigger.

This definition emphasizes the collective nature of the complaints and the challenges in pinpointing a single causal factor within the built environment. Symptoms may include headaches, eye irritation, respiratory issues, and fatigue, among others.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the accepted definition of SBS. Reference to low air quality due to dust and grime tends to represent a broader environmental issue but doesn't specifically indicate the percentage of affected occupants or the undetermined nature of health issues that are characteristic of SBS. Similarly, outlining that complaints come from only 10% of occupants does not meet the established threshold for diagnosing SBS. Claims about illnesses from nearby industrial activity would usually categorize as a different set of environmental or occupational health issues rather than being classified as Sick Building Syndrome.