A comfortable microclimate at home plays an important role in the life of a modern person. The state of health, mood, motivation and productivity largely depend on the temperature, humidity and quality of the air that a person breathes during the day and at night. In this article, we will look at what diseases can be avoided with the help of ventilation with a PRANA recuperator.

What is Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)?

«Sick Building Syndrome» (SBS) is a term used in situations where prolonged exposure to indoor conditions provokes the onset of various diseases without any obvious cause.

Such disorders associated with staying in certain premises are divided into two main groups:

1. Building-related illnesses (BRI). These health disorders are primarily associated with the release of harmful impurities and substances from wooden and polymeric surfaces. These symptoms are persistent and recovery may take time.
2. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS). This is a noticeable deterioration in health that occurs in a building while you are in it. Symptoms disappear within a short period of time after leaving the building.

Thus, we understand that sick building syndrome is a health disorder that occurs in a single room and is caused by the impact of indoor environments and poor air quality and temperature. Often, similar problems are observed in production halls.

What causes Sick Building Syndrome?

The occurrence of SBS manifestations is mainly associated with the following problems:

• lack of or imperfect ventilation system;
• a large amount of dust;
• the presence of mould or fungus;
• insufficient or excessive humidity;
• use of appliances that involve the combustion process: fireplaces, gas stoves, etc;
• evaporation of toxic substances present in building materials, furniture and other household goods;
• electromagnetic radiation from household appliances: computers, microwave ovens, etc.

The intensity of the impact of adverse factors depends on the characteristics and age of the building, the level of air exchange, the number of people in the premises, and the individual sensitivity of a person to the impact of various factors.

The microclimate of industrial premises: importance and impact on productivity

The microclimate of industrial premises plays a key role not only in ensuring the comfort of employees, but also in maintaining their productivity, health and safety. Not only the quality of the work process, but also the health of the people working in it depends on the microclimate parameters.

Impact on employee health

An unsatisfactory microclimate can cause overheating or hypothermia, reduced immunity, respiratory diseases and other health problems. Excessive humidity promotes fungal infections, while dry air can cause respiratory and skin problems.

Impact on productivity

A comfortable microclimate helps increase employee concentration and productivity. Fatigue sets in more slowly and job satisfaction increases.

Impact on equipment and materials

High humidity can corrode metal parts of machinery and equipment. Some materials, such as wood or textiles, can be deformed or destroyed.

Workflow safety

A poor microclimate can lead to an increased risk of accidents, from slipping on wet floors to problems with electrical equipment in a humid environment.

Microclimate in production and administrative buildings: a study

In particular, a study was conducted in the Netherlands involving 1,355 employees from 19 office buildings. The study focused on physical and chemical factors that affect the indoor climate. Scientists compared the performance of buildings with natural and mechanical ventilation (we assume that the owners of some of the buildings in the study were able to buy a recuperator and organise supply and exhaust ventilation). High concentrations of CO2 and volatile organic compounds were found in buildings without mechanical ventilation. In addition, these buildings were more likely to be affected by microbial air pollution and endotoxin. The concentration of endotoxin in “sick” buildings was 6-8 times higher than in “healthy” buildings: 254 ng/m³ versus 46 ng/m³.

This study demonstrates that high-quality mechanical ventilation can prevent the onset of Sick Building Syndrome:

• eye irritation, conjunctivitis;
• cough;
• dry skin;
• irritation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Allergies.

Open windows in the warm season are the gateway to dust, fluff and pollen, mould spores. However, leaving a room without ventilation is not the best solution. Back in the last century, scientists established a link between an increase in the concentration of allergens in a room and a low air replacement rate. In 1927, a climate chamber was created in the Netherlands to treat people with atopic disorders.

Nowadays, when windows and balconies cannot be opened due to the high concentration of pollen and allergens in the air, the only way to ensure air exchange in the premises is through a mechanical ventilation system.

An important aspect of choosing ventilation equipment is a sufficient degree of filtration of the supply air and operational safety. In this regard, PRANA recuperators are suitable for people prone to allergies. The meshes on the rear and front elements of the system create a barrier to fluff entering the room, and the passage of copper heat exchanger channels helps to fine-tune the supply air.

Diseases caused by an unhealthy indoor climate

Asthma.

Studies show that over the past 30 years, the rate of air exchange in rooms has decreased by a factor of 10. At the same time, air humidity and the concentration of negative elements have increased significantly. Experts attribute the deterioration in air quality in buildings to the installation of sealed windows and doors that prevent air from moving through them.

High-quality ventilation as a method of combating sick building syndrome

The use of forced ventilation significantly reduces the concentration of asthma triggers. Recent studies by American scientists from Environmental Health & Engineering, Inc. have shown that a mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation system provides control of asthma triggers:

• the level of animal hair allergens is reduced by 30-55%;
• the risk of respiratory infections is reduced by 90-99%;
• air pollution by tobacco smoke is reduced by 90-98%;
• the concentration of fungal spores in the air is reduced by 50-75%.

These indicators indicate the positive impact of supply and exhaust ventilation systems on the course and prevention of such a serious respiratory disease as asthma. If you have decided to buy a PRANA recuperator or are just choosing a ventilation option, we recommend that you take the advice of our qualified specialists. If you have already made the decision to purchase a recuperator, use our convenient calculator to calculate the cost of your future ventilation project.