As the public recognizes the importance of healthy, comfortable, and productive indoor environments, their awareness and demand for good indoor air quality (IAQ) has increased.
This demand has resulted in indoor air quality emerging as a major concern in office buildings. Many office buildings have significant indoor air pollution sources. These sources include furnishings, occupant activities, housekeeping practices, pesticide applications, and microbial contamination.
A factor greatly influencing the effect of these sources and the overall quality of indoor air in offices is the ventilation system design, operation and maintenance. People generally have less control over the indoor environment in their offices than they do in their homes. As a result, there are large numbers of reported health problems associated with office buildings.