Sick-hospital syndrome.

An outbreak of complaints consisting primarily of eye and respiratory tract irritation accompanied by headache, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea occurred among the operating room personnel of a large metropolitan hospital. This initially was attributed to infiltration of diesel exhaust emissions into the ventilation system. However, following correction of this problem and subsequent unrevealing air monitoring, symptoms persisted and were noted in personnel in adjacent areas of the hospital as well. An industrial hygiene and medical evaluation was undertaken. Monitoring for carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and anesthetic gases and review of medical records and patient examinations were unrevealing, and the problem resolved gradually over several weeks. This outbreak represents a case of building-associated illness among health professionals in a hospital setting that was triggered by a single, identifiable noxious exposure but was sustained despite any apparent ongoing noxious exposures.