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The indoor environment impacts the health and productivity of individuals working within a facility. Sick building syndrome and Legionnaire’s disease first generated headlines in the 1970s and 1980s, but outbreaks and problems continue in buildings around the world. The advent of building-related illnesses was due to a convergence of changes in the building industry: increased off-gassing of chemical compounds from furnishings and finishes, a decrease in natural air infiltration due to advances in building sealing and vapor barriers, and a reduction in outdoor air ventilation to save energy during the energy crisis of the 1970s.
When one considers salaries, benefits, and general health of personnel, the cost of operating a facility is a mere fraction of the cost of the overall site budget. Therefore, health and productivity become major factors in decisions that affect the indoor environment. Even a very small improvement in productivity can result in significant cost savings for a business’s operations.
Surveys indicate that the top office complaints from U.S. workers all relate to IEQ: temperature, cleanliness, air quality, leaks, moisture, and lighting.6,7
Because these complaints factor into the overall productivity and satisfaction of staff, IEQ improvements to address these issues are a worthwhile investment.
Buildings that are designed to accommodate changing future uses and are operated and maintained well are likely to avoid IEQ problems. In contrast, suboptimal IEQ can result in buildings where closets become offices or where water damage to building materials is chronic.
Include biophilic art in public spaces to promote occupant well-being
Image Source: U.S. Department of State
Considerations
Sites should first assess the overall IEQ of their facilities with an audit. An audit assists in evaluating whether facilities are designed, maintained, and operated in a manner that supports the health and comfort of occupants.
Following the audit, the most effective sequence for pursuing high IEQ is as follows:
- Contaminant reduction: Identify significant contributors to indoor No- to low-cost options include fixing leaky pipes, replacing moldy ceiling tiles, adding walk-off mats at building entries, replacing old HVAC filters, and relocating high-volume copiers and janitorial supplies away from occupants.
- Comfort improvements: Improving HVAC system operational efficiencies and ensuring the proper amount of outside air is being used contributes to more satisfactory space conditions. Additionally, providing staff with adjustable thermal controls and ergonomic workstation furniture can increase physical and acoustic
- Low-emission materials: Develop a policy to ensure that future purchasing includes non-toxic, environmentally-friendly building materials, finishes, cleaning supplies, and equipment.