Most building owners would agree that people are their most important resource, which makes providing a comfortable, productive environment a priority. Indoor air quality can have a real impact on the absenteeism, productivity and performance of building occupants, whether they are office workers or school children. Properly managing IAQ requires a holistic approach and attention to system attributes such as temperature, humidity, contaminants and ventilation of outdoor air. The negative effects on occupant health and wellness from mismanaged building air are well-documented.
Sick building syndrome and building-related illness have been linked to poor indoor air quality for several decades. In 1984, a World Health Organization report on occupational health suggested up to 30% of buildings had excessive occupant complaints related to IAQ.The symptoms of SBS and BRI range from headaches and nausea, to coughing, fever and muscle aches.