Before the phrase existed, workers in offices and public buildings often reported unexplained symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, dizziness, and breathing discomfort. These complaints were frequently dismissed as stress-related or psychological because no clear disease or infection could be identified.
The origins of the term are closely connected to changes in modern architecture and energy conservation practices. Following the 1973 oil crisis, many buildings were designed to be more energy efficient by reducing ventilation and sealing windows to conserve heating and cooling costs. While these designs saved energy, they also limited the flow of fresh air indoors. As a result, pollutants from office equipment, carpets, paints, cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, and poor ventilation accumulated inside buildings.
Researchers and health organisations began noticing patterns in workplaces where large numbers of occupants experienced similar symptoms that improved after leaving the building. In the early 1980s, the World Health Organisation formally used the term Sick Building Syndrome to describe situations in which building occupants experienced acute health effects linked to time spent in a particular building, without a specific illness being identified.
The history of SBS reflects society’s growing understanding that indoor environments directly affect human health. It also marked a shift in occupational health research, emphasising the importance of ventilation systems, building materials, humidity control, and workplace design. Over time, the concept expanded beyond offices to include schools, hospitals, and residential buildings.
Understanding SBS encourages organisations to take indoor environment quality seriously. Better ventilation, regular maintenance, natural lighting, and healthier building materials can reduce symptoms and create safe and healthy workplaces.