Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 7.5
Symptom Prevalence Rates (%) in USEPA Headquarters Buildings
WM sectors
Building (avg.)
1
2
3
4
5
6
WM
CC
FC
Symptoms
N =
772
600
400
500
435
223
3070
445
407
IAQ-type
Headache
14
13
18
19
16
18
16
11
16
Runny nose
7
9
9
10
8
8
8
9
7
Stuffy nose
15
13
16
21
16
16
16
17
15
Dry eyes
14
15
21
18
13
20
17
12
15
Burning eyes
9
10
13
11
9
10
10
8
11
Dry throat
8
9
15
12
8
14
10
7
9
Fatigue
12
15
17
17
12
15
15
14
11
Sleepiness
13
14
18
17
14
20
15
19
13
Respiratory/Flu-like
Cough
4
5
6
6
4
2
4
5
4
Wheezing
1
1
1
2
1
2
1
1
2
Shortness of breath
1
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
2
Chest tightness
1
1
3
2
2
2
1
1
0
Fever
4
0
0
1
1
5
1
1
0
Aching muscles/joints
3
4
5
5
4
6
4
4
2
Note:
N denotes number of persons in a sector or building. WM = Waterside Mall; CC = Crystal
City; FC = Fairchild.
Source:
From Fidler, A.T. et al.,
Proc. 5th Internatl. Conf. Indoor Air Qual. Clim
., Toronto, 4, 603,
1990.
resolved on leaving the building varied from 7 to 21%. Though having been
publicly labeled as an archetype “sick building,” the prevalence rates for
building/work-related symptoms were in the same range as noncomplaint
Danish municipal buildings.
Systematic building studies have shown that building environ-
ment-/work-related health complaints occur in all buildings surveyed,
regardless of their complaint status. They also show a broad range of prev-
alence rates among buildings and variation in symptom prevalence.
IV. Work performance and productivity
Symptoms characteristic of IAQ-type complaints are not life-threatening.
They are relatively minor in their seriousness and in most cases do not
constitute a significant health concern. They are best described as “quality
of life” symptoms. Their effects, however, may not be without consequence.
Concerns have been expressed about the potential for IAQ-type symptoms
to result in decreased productivity by decreasing work performance and
increasing absenteeism. If poor IAQ did decrease productivity, it would
impose potentially significant economic costs on employers of affected build-
ing occupants.
