‘Sick building syndrome’ warning

Prof. Dr. Oğuz Kılınç, Faculty of Medicine at Izmir University of Economics (IUE), warned that mold or fungi formed due to humidity in closed areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and rooms in homes can lead to pneumonia and permanent lung damage. Emphasizing the need for caution against this condition, known as ‘sick building syndrome’ in medicine, Prof. Dr. Kılınç said, “Inhaling mold and fungi can lead to non-microbial pneumonia. If this condition persists and is not treated early, it can cause permanent lung damage.”

Stating that mold and fungi in homes can sometimes be overlooked, but this situation poses a hidden danger, Prof. Dr. Kılınç shared important information about the necessary precautions.

“IT CAN EVEN POSE A LIFE-THREATENING RISK TO THE PATIENT”

Stating that homes should be well-ventilated and precautions should be taken against humidity, Prof. Dr. Kılınç said, “Mold can be easily identified by its smell and the black or blue growths that form on surfaces. Swelling on the walls and cotton-like layers behind the paint are among its most obvious characteristics. Although mold and fungi are more common in winter, they continue to mix with the ambient air in other seasons as well. To prevent these formations, citizens should not neglect to ventilate closed areas frequently. The structure and surface where mold and fungi have formed should be repaired and restored. In addition, it is very important that the ambient climate control is good and that the air conditioner filters are changed regularly. If disinfection is not done well in the central air conditioning systems used for climate control in hotels, shopping malls, and hospitals, bacteria called Legionella will grow. When this is scattered into the environment through the ventilation ducts by inhalation, it causes bacterial pneumonia. Situations called Legionnaires' disease or tourist pneumonia can occur. These are also dangerous pneumonias. If not diagnosed early, they can pose a life-threatening risk to the patient.”

“POLLUTION IN IZMIR IS 4-5 TIMES HIGHER”

Emphasizing that outdoor air pollution also poses a serious danger to human health, Prof. Dr. Kılınç said, “There are pollutants in the environment, and these are measurable things. These are pollutants we call Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 or 10. The World Health Organization has determined the micrograms of these pollutants that should be present per cubic meter. For example, for PM 2.5, it should not be more than 15 micrograms per cubic meter. However, in terms of air pollution in Izmir, from January to today, the value that should be 15 has been detected 4 or 5 times higher (between 80 to 100) every day. The air pollutants we call PM 2.5 do not just stay in the bronchi; when inhaled, they also pass into the blood and can go to all organs of the body. Therefore, it can cause damage to the heart, lungs, brain, and every part of the body.”