Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) in Contemporary UK Offices: A Comparative Study of Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Perceptions

Abstract

Health and well-being in the built environment are increasingly important because employees spend most waking hours in offices. Sick building syndrome describes situations in which occupants experience nonspecific symptoms linked to time spent indoors. Understanding the prevalence of SBS in contemporary UK offices is essential for effective indoor environmental quality management. This study investigates two office buildings of different ages in London and Kent in the United Kingdom to identify patterns of user-reported SBS symptoms and associated environmental conditions. Guided by pragmatism, the research adopted a mixed-method design combining a structured occupant questionnaire with a comparative case study of the selected offices. The survey captured self-reported SBS symptoms, perceived indoor environmental quality and workplace satisfaction, while the case studies examined ventilation, lighting and maintenance practices. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to compare the two settings and to explore factors influencing symptom occurrence. Findings reveal a higher prevalence of cumulative symptoms in Building A and a greater overall symptom frequency than in Building B. Fatigue was the most prevalent symptom, followed by headaches and eye irritation. Participants identified light as a contributor to comfort, while ventilation and temperature were concerns; improved ventilation, daylight protection and clearer guidance are recommended to reduce SBS risks.