What does "sick building syndrome" refer to?

"Sick building syndrome" refers to health issues that occur in occupants of a building, where the symptoms are linked to time spent in that building but do not have a specific identified cause. This condition is characterized by a variety of symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, eye irritation, respiratory issues, and more, which tend to improve when individuals leave the building. Factors contributing to sick building syndrome can include poor indoor air quality, inadequate ventilation, presence of volatile organic compounds, and other environmental factors within the building that are not easily identifiable.

The other options do not accurately describe sick building syndrome. Health issues emerging only in urban environments is a broader statement and does not specifically address the link to building occupancy. The notion of sickness related to poor diet pertains to nutritional issues rather than environmental or building-related causes. Lastly, while mold exposure in homes can lead to health problems, it represents a specific cause of illness and does not encompass the broader, unspecified symptoms associated with sick building syndrome.