Indoor spaces are important microenvironments when addressing risks from air pollution. Most of a person's daily exposure to many air pollutants comes through inhalation of indoor air, both because of the amount of time spent indoors and because of the higher pollution levels indoors.

World Health Organization - 1999 Air Quality Guidelines - Indoor Air Quality

According to a recent survey, indoor air quality ranks number six within the top 10 office complaints. Thermal comfort issues such as "It's too cold" and "It's too hot" rank first and second, respectively.

International Facility Management Association
2003 Corporate Facility Monitor Survey

Facts and Figures - Exposures

In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq

In the opinion of some World Health Organization experts, up to 30 percent of new or remodeled commercial buildings may have unusually high rates of health and comfort complaints from occupants that may potentially be related to indoor air quality.

U.S. EPA Publication – The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Facts and Figures - Asthma & Allergies

An estimated 20 million Americans suffer from asthma (1 in 15 Americans), and 50% of asthma cases are “allergic-asthma.” The prevalence of asthma has been increasing since the early 1980s across all age, sex and racial groups.

“Asthma at a Glance,” National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), U.S. CDC, 1999

For adults, asthma is the fourth leading cause of work absenteeism and “presenteeism,” resulting in nearly 15 million missed or lost workdays each year, resulting in a total cost of nearly $3 billion in total lost productivity.

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,” Surveillance for Asthma, U.S. CDC, 2002

Among children ages 5 to 17, asthma is the leading cause of school absences from a chronic illness. It accounts for an annual loss of more than 14 million school days per year (approximately 8 days for each student with asthma) and more hospitalizations than any other childhood disease. It is estimated that children with asthma spend an nearly 8 million days per year restricted to bed.

The Costs of Asthma,” Asthma and Allergy Foundation 1992 and 1998 Study, 2000 Update

For adults, allergies (hay fever) is the 5th leading chronic disease and a major cause of work absenteeism and “presenteeism,” resulting in nearly 4 million missed or lost workdays each year, resulting in a total cost of more than $700 million in total lost productivity.

“Chronic Conditions: A Challenge for the 21st Centrury,” National Academy on an Aging Society, 2000