Bad Office Air Quality: Did We Realize?

I just read an interesting article about indoor air quality from US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It stated that our offices have significant indoor pollution sources, such as

1. furnishing: carpet, chair, asbestos, formaldehyde
2. human activities: file arranging, spraying, smoking
3. housekeeping practices: vacuum cleaning, dusting
4. pesticide applications: indoor plant
5. microbial contamination: sneezing, mold growth

No doubt, we are living in a dangerous condition every day because we spend most of our waking time in office, and almost all offices are located indoor. Due to the air-conditioning system, solar radiation prevention and safety from theft and burglary, offices comes with tightly sealed and tinted windows. When the ventilation system is badly designed, ineffective and less well-maintained, numerous health related problem arises.

Building-related diseases are those related directly to the air quality of a building, such as Legionnaire’s disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever. Often, occupants required medical attention, and ended up needing a prolonged period of recovery after leaving the building, though some of the diseases are treatable with less serious health risks.

On the other hand, some sickness symptoms such as dry or burning mucous membranes in the nose, eyes, and throat; sneezing; stuffy or runny nose; fatigue or lethargy; headache; dizziness; nausea; irritability and forgetfulness are not easily traceable to known sources. It could or not be related to the indoor air quality, and usually this is known as sick building syndrome. When we realized we are in this situation, leaving the building may bring immediate relief.