Objectives: Although many survey reports on sick house syndrome have been published, few clinical studies have reported sick building syndrome (SBS) in Japan. We examined patients with SBS-like complaints by clinical observation and made environment measurements. Methods: The subjects of our study were 11 office workers (2 men and 9 women) who visited our hospital because of poor physical condition after the construction and painting of a fireproof vault in their office. We performed a medical interview, biochemical examinations of blood, immunological tests, pulmonary function tests, and psychological tests. The environment in the office was evaluated 3 times at 27, 55, and 132 days after the cessation of vault construction. A questionnaire survey was distributed to the workers who did not visit our hospital. Results: The workers resumed work 9 days after the end of construction: Shortly after the resumption of work, most of the workers smelled a bad odor, and complained of headache, malaise, disturbed concentration, and eye irritation. Acrylic resin paint was used for painting the vault, and the concentrations of toluene, xylene, and total volatile organic compounds (T-VOC) on day 27 after painting were 2,972, 2,610, and 7,100 μg/m³, respectively. One hundred and thirty-two days after painting, the concentrations of toluene, xylene, and T-VOC decreased to unscented levels of 78, 113, and 261 μg/m³, respectively. Conclusion: Seven females among the eleven patients were diagnosed as having SBS on the basis of the time of the onset of the symptoms, negative results of allergy and other organic diseases, and the results of the environment measurements. From the responses of the other workers (22 men and 1 woman) to the survey questionnaire, the development and the disappearance of complaints, such as bad odor and unpleasantness, agreed with change of the level of toluene in the vault, which confirmed the validity of the SBS diagnosis.
(San Ei Shi 2011; 53: 25-32)

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Objectives and Results: Globalization has progressed tremendously resulting in far-reaching changes in the work environment. In Japan, occupational health and safety (OSH) activities are performed under and improved by regulations. However, this system is not likely to satisfy the unceasing diversification of social demand for OSH in recent years. The US adopts a self-imposed OSH system with responsibility carried by employers under a system of minimum regulation. This paper introduces the systematic training for occupational physicians in schools of public health in the US, which is creating a base of OSH professionals who can meet social demand. Discussion: To satisfy the diverse demand for recent OSH, it is essential to improve the basic skills of occupational physicians and other OSH professionals by offering systematic training in Japan. Some examples of systematic training for occupational physicians in schools of public health in the US are discussed with the goal of improving Japan’s future OSH.
(San Ei Shi 2011; 53: 33-38)

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