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People who work in office buildings, from cleaning staff to CEOs are not immune to

occupational lung diseases. When a substantial number of building occupants

experience symptoms that do not fit the pattern of any particular illness and are

difficult to trace to any specific source, the problem may be “sick building

syndrome.” Sick building problems may arise because of poorly designed or

maintained heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, office

equipment, furniture and supplies and operations in the building.

To save rising energy costs, new buildings are tightly sealed and modern

ventilation systems recycle a large portion of inside air. If the system is not

carefully designed or maintained, fresh air may not reach the worker. For example,

use of flexible office partitions in large open spaces can interfere
with air distribution. Energy costs in older buildings are reduced by adding

insulation, caulking and weather-stripping. Windows are made air-tight and outside

air dampers are closed.

Whether a home or office building is old or new, the same recirculated air is

breathed again and again by the people working in these buildings. The problem is

made worse by increasing numbers and varieties of pollutants from furnishings, HVAC

systems, modern office equipment and supplies, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and

secondhand tobacco smoke. In fact, according to the National Institute of Allergy

and Infectious Disease poorly ventilated office spaces aid in the transmission of

pneumonia to three million people annually.VIII

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), improving buildings and indoor

environments could reduce healthcare costs and sick leave and increase worker

performance, resulting in an estimated productivity gain of $30 billion to $150

billion annually. The DOE further estimated the potential decrease in adverse

health effects from improvements in indoor environments to be 10 percent to 30

percent for infectious lung disease, allergies and asthma; and 20 percent to 50

percent for Sick Building Syndrome symptoms. For the United States, the

corresponding annual healthcare savings plus productivity gains are:

$6 billion to $19 billion from reduced lung disease,
$1 billion to $4 billion from reduced allergies and asthma,
$10 billion to $20 billion from reduced Sick Building Syndrome symptoms,
$12 billion to $125 billion from direct improvements in worker performance

unrelated to health.

http://www.freshairliving/breathinghealthy

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