How is sick-building syndrome defined?

Sick-building syndrome is primarily characterized by the occurrence of health-related issues among occupants of a building where the cause of the symptoms cannot be definitively identified. Individuals often report experiencing a range of symptoms—including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and eye, nose, or throat irritation—while they are physically present in the building or shortly after leaving it. The key aspect here is that these symptoms seem to be linked to time spent in the building, but specific causes are often elusive and can vary widely.

This condition typically arises from various factors associated with the indoor environment, such as inadequate ventilation, poor indoor air quality, exposure to mold or chemical pollutants, or various biological contaminants. Unlike conditions that relate to specific allergens or environmental factors that create a clear allergic response (as suggested in other choices), sick-building syndrome is broader and less defined, focusing on a cluster of unexplained symptoms connected to the indoor environment.

The other options focus on specific symptoms or conditions that have identifiable causes or are not comprehensively aligned with the concept of sick-building syndrome. For instance, feeling unwell after leaving a building can occur due to many reasons not directly tied to the building itself, while developing allergies is often a response to known allergens. Similarly, fatigue from prolonged indoor periods doesn