Question 2 of 21

Someone suffering from sick building syndrome (SBS) might have ________.

... According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people suffering from SBS display symptoms of discomfort such as dizziness, headache, dry cough, nausea, fatigue and ear, nose and throat irritation.

Question 3 of 21

When people leave the "sick" building, their symptoms of SBS usually _______.

... One characteristic of SBS is that sufferers generally feel much better once they've left the problematic building or room.

Question 4 of 21

According to the EPA, SBS can be differentiated from "building related illness" (BRI) because ________.

... BRI has specific ailments (such as Legionnaires' Disease) that can be diagnosed by a physician. Specific building contaminants can be identified as the cause of BRI. SBS complaints are more general and do not have a specific cause.

Question 5 of 21

Poor ventilation is considered to be a major cause of SBS. It occurs thanks to ________.

... Poor ventilation and substandard performance of heating and cooling systems are believed to be significant contributing factors to SBS. In addition, ventilation standards were lowered in the 1970s due to the energy crisis, and some buildings were never updated.

Question 6 of 21

"Indoor air pollution" can be caused by such things as carpeting, manufactured wood products, tobacco smoke and emissions from gas space heaters, which can all contain _______.

... Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde may also be emitted from adhesives, cleaning products, copy machines and wood stoves.

Question 7 of 21

Radon and asbestos ___________.

... Health problems arising from SBS and BRI are immediate. Though potentially life-threatening, diseases caused by radon and asbestos take years to develop, so those contaminants are not considered causes of SBS or BRI.

Question 8 of 21

Bacteria, molds, pollen and viruses can be biological contaminants; they tend to breed in _______.

... Biological contaminants can grow in standing water that's collected in ductwork, humidifiers, ceiling tiles, carpets and insulation.

Question 9 of 21

Which of the following is NOT a basic factor that affects indoor air quality?

... When investigating a building for SBS, inspectors gather information about the people in the building, possible contaminants, the HVAC system and any potential pathways that allow the spread of contaminants. The climate of an area is not a consideration.

Question 10 of 21

How important is it to collect and test samples of air to identify the cause of SBS?

... Checking air for specific contaminants and pollutants is not usually a necessary step taken when buildings are investigated. Levels of contaminants are rarely higher than the accepted guidelines even though there are health problems.

Question 11 of 21

Sick building syndrome is also known as __________ building syndrome.

... "Tight building syndrome" refers to poor ventilation that doesn't let contaminants escape.

Question 12 of 21

When addressing air quality issues, which step should be taken first?

... According to the EPA, it's preferable to institute the recommendations of the inspectors quickly, which often means they begin simultaneously and are not staggered.

Question 13 of 21

According to the EPA, the average American spends about _________ percent of the day inside.

... Americans average about 90 percent of their time indoors, where air contaminants may be anywhere from two to 100 times higher than outdoors.

Question 14 of 21

Which of the following is NOT a type of disease that biological air contaminants can cause?

... SBS can lead to infections, hypersensitivity (an immune system response) and toxicosis (chemical toxins from a biological source) but not neurodegeneration.

Question 15 of 21

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an indoor pollutant caused by a poorly working or improperly used heating system. It usually affects people through ________.

... Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry, leading to a lack of oxygen throughout the body and asphyxiation.

Question 16 of 21

Formaldehyde is a common irritant found in buildings, often in the _________.

... Although formaldehyde is no longer an ingredient in insulation, many older buildings still have blown foam insulation that was installed during the 1970s. Plywood, paneling and fiberboard finishes are also possible sources of formaldehyde.

Question 17 of 21

The danger of heavy metal toxins in buildings has _______ in the last four decades.

... It has decreased. Manufacturers began removing lead from paint during the 1940s, and in 1978 it was banned. Mercury, which caused problems in latex paint vapor, was removed from indoor paint in 1990 and from outdoor versions the following year.

Question 18 of 21

In new construction or recently remodeled buildings, reports of SBS usually cease within ________.

... VOCs may be emitted from the new materials (e.g., paints, furniture, finishes), causing distress, but the problems often abate within six months.

Question 19 of 21

Some new buildings are being constructed with the specific goal of improved indoor air quality. To achieve this, builders emphasize which of the following issues?

... Designers and builders of new construction may focus on issues that can affect indoor air quality, such as reducing the amount of moisture, creating physical barriers to pests, venting heating equipment and garages, using safer materials and venting the property thoroughly before use.

Question 20 of 21

Lighting can be important to maintaining a healthy indoor environment. Which of the following is NOT included in new construction that wants to avoid SBS?

... Fluorescent lights tend to flicker, which is often irritating to eyes. Many builders are currently bringing in as much natural light as possible, which is usually preferred by building occupants.

Question 21 of 21

Mass psychogenic illness (mass hysteria) can erupt from a specific event such as a noxious odor within a building. This is usually preceded by all of the following EXCEPT _________.

... Pre-existing conditions, such as stress, anxiety and poor physical work environment can lead to mass psychogenic illness (MPI) in relation to a specific trigger, which is often an unexpected odor.

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