Indoor air quality remains a significant environmental issue. In the last 25 years, research has shown a direct correlation between air quality and human health, both mental and physical. Symptoms once associated to other various workplace conditions are, in fact, now being linked to deteriorated air quality. Air quality awareness has significantly increased since buildings are being constructed more efficiently with synthetic materials and energy conservation principles. Modern office equipment, cleaning products and outdoor air pollution can amplify conditions of poor indoor air quality. In many cases, inadequate and older HVAC systems can actually heighten the problem by spreading undesirable contaminants throughout a building or facility. The combination of these effects is known as a phenomenon called `Sick Building Syndrome` (SBS). Health Canada has acknowledged this phenomenon and has introduced guidelines and procedures for building owners and managers to minimize the impact of poor air quality on their employees.
