Background and Aims

To critically review the contemporary and earlier literature descring the so-called Sick Building Syndrome and to underpin some controversaries with regard to this dubious terminology

Methods

Medline and PubMed search

Results

Contemporary literature suggests that indoor air infestation with dampness microbiota is a real health hazard that starts with the so-called SBS, but when the exposure continues, it may cause an irreversible Dampness and Mold Hypersensitivity Syndrome with a great variety of clinical presentations and involving practically all organs. The underlying pathophysiology is chronic inflammation and dysregalation of immune, endocrine and metabolic functions.

Conclusions

SBS/DMHS are not primarily psychological disturbances. Neither these conditions are the so-called functional disorders.

New imaging techniques, clinical toxicology and chip-based detection of autoantibodies should be further developed to help clinical diagnosis of SBS/DMHS