The endocrine system is made up of a large group of glands that regulate functions such as metabolism, growth and development; sexual reproduction and stress responses. It does this by secreting hormones directly into the blood stream to affect target sites throughout the body; every cell has either internal or external receptor sites that slot together like a lock and key system. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency describe Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) as “situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified”. The World Health Organization (WHO), recognises SBS as symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, sensitivity to smell, eye, nose and throat irritations and nausea are common to this illness. Often symptoms of SBS are worse if a building is new or has been refurbished or renovated (US EPA, 2008).

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition with many symptoms that occur as a result of chemical exposure. People can develop MCS as a result of a single exposure to toxic chemicals or repeated low dose exposure over a period of time. MCS starts as symptoms that occur at exposure to certain chemicals then expands to include more often-unrelated chemicals along with stronger symptoms at much smaller doses (ME/CSF Society Inc, 2006).

Allergies in Australia affect 1 in 3 people at some stage of their lives. Allergies are also a major cause and trigger of asthma. An allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to what should be ordinary substances in your environment. The Australian government recognises poor indoor air quality as being a common trigger for allergies and asthma (State of Knowledge Report Air Toxics and Indoor Air Quality in Australia).