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Research Report | 9

CONCLUSION

This literature review has set out to comprehend
the pre-existing knowledge on what can be done
to address the SBS crisis in Australia. The research
has found that legislation has been reactive in it's
application, as well as inadvertantly creating other
problems through a singular approach in finding
a solution. More education and clearer standards
will assist design professionals in their understan-
Figure 9 Diffusion
ding and application of thermally efficient and
healthy building systems. The correct application
of thermally-broken building systems will lead to a
reduction in condensation, whilst also addressing
SICK BUILDING issues of consistent thermal comfort and energy
SYNDROME (SBS) efficiency. The effects of these applications have
the potential to increase overall levels of physical

A consequence of the legislative short-co- health, whilst also improving productivity and effi-
mings and design short-cuts within the ciency. The research has developed a clear road
construction industry has led to Australia map which will resolve the question of, what can
facing a Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) crisis. be done to address the unintended impact of code
Ghaffarianhoseini et al. (2018) states "SBS is a compliant homes in Australia?
collection of factors that can negatively affect
physical health in several ways". Psychological
health is also included under the umbrella of
"physical health" due to the fact that the human
body is interpreted as one interactive biological
system (Ghaffarianhoseini et al. 2018). In rela-
tion to moisture-ridden homes, "many resear-
chers have supported a connection between
damp housing and childhood respiratory symp-
toms" (Nath et al. 2020). In "A Treatise of the
Asthma" from 1698, Sir John Floyer "warned
of the exacerbation of asthma with exposure
to damp houses" (Sakula 1984). Asthma and
other upper respiratory tract symptoms are
expected to worsen according to D'Amato et
al. (2015) due to "40% of houses constructed in
the last decade presenting some form of visi-
ble condensation" (Dewsbury et al. 2016). The
leading cause for disease in children aged 0-14
years in Australia is asthma. This accounts for
"17.9% of the burden in boys and 18.6% in girls"
(Nath et al. 2020).

Now especially, due to the COVID-19 crisis
people are spending significantly more time
indoors. Not only is this the case for people con-
sidered 'healthy', many of the aging population,
people with weakened immune systems or exis-
Brendan Wilson
ting health conditions are proven to potentially
be at risk within their own indoor environment